Published: September 12, 2008 01:33 pm      

SUCCESS STORIES | Westmont sophomore earns Eagle Scout

Cody Johns, 15, grandson of Ron and Bonny Johns of Johnstown, has received the Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank in Boy Scouting.

Johns is a sophomore at Westmont Hilltop High School and is a member of Troop 622, sponsored by Roxbury St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Johnstown.

He earned 70 merit badges, served as historian, scribe, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader and is senior patrol leader.

Johns also has earned the state Forestry Conservation Award, state Fish and Boat Commission Conserva-tion Award, state Game Commission Conservation Award and Boy Scout’s World Conservation Award.

For his Eagle project, Johns helped to renovate Mom’s House by cleaning and painting several rooms.

Homer City graduate earns Scout award

Channing F. Mack, 18, son of Dennis and Brenda Mack of Homer City, has received the Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank in Boy Scouting.

He is a member of Troop 24 in Homer City and has served as patrol leader and assistant scoutmaster.

A 2008 graduate of Homer Center High School, Mack received several honors in band and served as drum major during 2007-08.

He participated in district and regional bands and district jazz band and performed several solos during spring and fall concerts.

Fifth-grader attends scholars program

Jonah Strenski, son of Neil and Alexandra Vatavik and Scott Strenski, has attended the National Young Scholars Program in Chevy Chase, Md.

Strenski is a fifth-grader in the Greater Johnstown School District. He selected architecture as his choice of study. Other areas of study were environmental science, forensic science and medicine.

Strenski was nominated by his fifth-grade teacher, Al Grandinetti.

Sixth-grader to attend conference

Michael J. Pakstis, son of William J. and Carla J. Pakstis of Salix, will participate in the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference on Jan. 17-21.

As an inaugural scholar, Pakstis will take part in educational activities and events commemorating the presidential inauguration.

He will witness the president and vice president taking the official oaths of office on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and will attend a special reception at the Smithsonian Institution and a Gala Inaugural Ball.

Pakstis is a sixth-grader at Forest Hills Elementary School, Sidman, where he participates in the elementary band.

He also is a member of ATOMS and 4-H.