8 students honored at all-star breakfast
It was a morning of giving back to the givers as eight students gathered to be honored at the third Fayette County Community Service All-Star breakfast on Wednesday. The honorees came from six of the area high schools, the Laurel Business Institute and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The high school students are all seniors. Each received a $500 check to help with schooling costs.
Uniontown Area High School student Tina Mowen received an additional $100 because she was named captain of the all-stars.
Because she was taking a pre-scheduled advance placement test, Mowen’s mother, Pat, read a speech her daughter wrote.
The teen indicated that she took her love of service from family, faith and friends, and has seen how her good acts have been returned to her.
“Whatever service I have given is returned to me tenfold,” she said in her speech.
Among her many volunteer activities, Mowen worked with others at the high school to help raise money for hurricane relief after Katrina hit.
And although she may do other things throughout her life, “volunteer is the most meaningful title I can claim,” her speech read.
When Hutson announced that Mowen was selected as captain, her mother again came forward.
“I know Tina will be surprisingly humbled and honored,” she said.
Even though Mother’s Day is on Sunday, Mowen said she is reminded often of how lucky she is.
“Having Tina for a daughter makes every day a celebration,” she said.
Jes Hutson, founder of the all-star program, said that the honorees who gave so freely of their time have made the community a better place to live, and noted that it was difficult to select only one as a captain from such an outstanding group.
Hutson, Harry Brownfield, John Evans, Leda Gismondi and Alyssa Trynock made up the selection committee. Trynock also served as the master of ceremonies.
Many area businesses and individuals supported the program.
Herald-Standard Publisher Val J. Laub praised the group for their unselfish acts.
“You’re all doing this because it’s the right thing to do … and you get the understanding that one person can make a difference,” said Laub, who helped Hutson get the program started three years ago.
Clara Pascoe, executive director of the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC), reminded the group that charity is an essential part of any successful society.
“The value of your time and effort cannot be measured,” she said.
Guest speaker David Meredith, an associate professor at Penn State, told the students that it is important to combine mind, body and spirit to be a whole person.
Giving of themselves strengthens the spiritual part, Meredith said. He reminded the students that in giving, they receive much more in return.
The Albert Gallatin senior honored was Janet Koposko, the daughter of Joe and Carole Koposko. She volunteers in numerous ways, including through the youth group at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church.
Koposko said her family always encouraged her to volunteer. She said she doesn’t necessarily view volunteer efforts as grand gestures.
“It can be any simple act of kindness that you do,” Koposko said.
And as college looms closer and the stress of graduation begins to hit home, Koposko said she leans on her background in service as a comfort.
“I feel inspired that I can make a difference,” she said.
The representative from Brownsville High School was Amanda Johnson, who touts work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation among her volunteer activities. Johnson, daughter of Bill and Patty Johnson, has diabetes.
Assistant Principal Nick Berdar said Johnson is first academically in her graduating class and never used her diabetes as an excuse not to fully participate.
Johnson said her family members have been role models, showing her the benefits of helping others.
“As I grew up, community service became the way I wanted to spend my free time,” she said.
Cody Adanitsch was the representative from Connellsville Area High School, and the only male to be honored. The son of David and Sharlene Adanitsch is a volunteer with the Springfield Township Volunteer Hose Company.
Adanitsch came with a speech in hand to talk about what community service means to him. Instead, he spoke from the heart.
“We all have one life to make a difference,” he said. “And the world’s not how much you receive, it’s how much you give.”
As a volunteer firefighter, Adanitsch said he sees the light in a child’s or the look of appreciation when he helps someone.
“I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“The joy I can bring someone is immense,” he said.
The representative from Geibel Catholic was Andrea Heinbaugh, a volunteer in her church, the American Red Cross and several other community organizations. She is the daughter of George and Nancy Heinbaugh.
Music teacher Nick Bell called Heinbaugh, “one of the most respectful, hardworking students I’ve ever worked with.”
Heinbaugh said she is motivated to continue with her community service because she sees how even the smallest gestures positively impact the community.
Laurel Highlands student Felicia Jones, the daughter of Ron and Michele Jones, has worked with the Salvation Army, for a battered women’s shelter, her church and as an usher at the State Theatre Center for the Arts.
Jones thanked her parents for instilling the values that led her to volunteer. She said that helping is more than just something to do, it’s a calling.
“I’ve learned to remind myself that there are people in need,” she said.
She said she gets fulfillment from performing acts that better the community and vowed she would continue.
“My efforts to better the community will not fade away, they will continue throughout my life,” Jones said.
Jessica Ritenour represented Laurel Business Institute. Ritenour has worked with area food banks, with the March of Dimes and through other agencies.
She is studying small business management and skin care at LBI and is the daughter of Ken and Barb Ritenour.
LBI student services coordinator Mary Jo Barnhart said that the word “no” is not in Ritenour’s vocabulary, no matter the request for help.
“I just do community service because I like to help people,” Ritenour said.
Sister Alice O’Connell, a human development and family studies major, represented Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. O’Connell was nominated for her work in helping fellow students to get healthier with blood pressure screenings, the Columbia Gas CAP program, the St. Vincent DePaul Store and numerous other activities.
Chad Long, assistant to the director of student affairs at Penn State, said Sister O’Connell “is an example of leadership and unselfish service.” He said she’s won awards both on a campus and university level for her giving nature.
“Sister Alice O’Connell is exactly what the community all-star awards stand for,” Long said.
Sister O’Connell said her call to community was her doing “what came naturally.”
“I think we’re all just following what we feel we are called to do,” she said.