CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Tom and Romayne McGinnis, parents of Ross McGinnis, and Keystone SMILES held their annual Ross McGinnis Memorial Service Award Recipient Reception on July 2, 2015, at Clarion VFW Liberty Dining Room at 603 Liberty Street, Clarion, Pa.
[Pictured left to right: Tom McGinnis, Romayne McGinnis, Braden Cochran (accepting award for Dakota Cochran), Kalie Trott, Brently Pustelak, and Meghan Higgins]
Four awards were given to students who demonstrated outstanding service to their community, school, and/or church through civic activity or military engagement and service. Brently Pustelak received the Honor Award; Meghan Higgins was selected for the Silver Award; Kalie Trott was chosen for the Silver Award; and Dakota Cochran was honored with the Bronze Award.
Brently Pustelak (Fairview High School) was selected for the 2015 PFC Ross McGinnis Memorial Honor Service Award based on his outstanding record of service to others. Brently’s service began in seventh grade when he began delivering Meals on Wheels to those in need in Erie, Pa. Afterwards, he became a regular volunteer at WLD Ranch, working as a ranch hand during the school year and as a counselor in training during the ranch’s summer program. Brently has taken mission journeys to both Burkina Faso, Africa, and to Russia where he worked on construction projects, adding a new steel roof for a church building in Africa and renovating an old Communist youth indoctrination center into a Christian summer camp in Russia. Upon graduation, Brently will attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he plans to become a missionary.
Meghan G. Higgins (North Clarion High School) was chosen for the 2015 PFC Ross McGinnis Memorial Silver Service Award based on her outstanding record of service to others and for her strong commitment to service men and women. As a member of her church and youth group, Meghan spent time in Highgate, Jamaica, assisting elementary school children to achieve success. As a member of Junior Historians, she was involved in the Wounded Warrior Fundraising event at North Clarion school. Her project raised funds while creating an awareness of the plight of wounded soldiers as they returned home from overseas. Meghan plans to attend Grove City College where she will study mathematics with a concentration in actuarial sciences.
Kalie Trott (Laurel High School) received the 2015 PFC Ross McGinnis Memorial Silver Service Award based on her outstanding record of service to others. Kalie serves as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of Lawrence County. As part of her commitment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Kalie raised money for the American Cancer Society by planning and implementing a 5k run/walk. Her plan included finding sponsors, seeking donations, recruiting participants, advertising, and ordering and organizing supplies, awards, and prizes. Through her hard work, Kalie was able to raise $2,800.00 for the American Cancer Society to help fight cancer. Kalie plans to attend Gannon University in the fall of 2015.
Dakota Cochran (Keystone High School) was honored with the 2015 PFC Ross McGinnis Memorial Bronze Service Award based on his outstanding record of service to others. As an Eagle Scout, Dakota studied his community’s needs in search of a project to complete his scout commitment. After much research, Dakota planned, procured funding, and built a new playground area for the Wentlings Corner Community Center, thus adding a safe and comfortable place for children to play. Dakota is a student of Indiana University of PA where he was enrolled in February of 2015. (Dakota Cochran is currently stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. His award was accepted by his brother, Braden Cochran.)
The service awards honor the memory of Knox native and Keystone High School graduate Spc. Ross McGinnis. Ross earned the Medal of Honor for an unbelievable act of courage and sacrifice on December 4, 2006, in Iraq, when he rolled onto a hand grenade and absorbed the blast to save four of his comrades.
Ross’ father, Tom McGinnis, told exploreclarion.com, “It is gratifying to see that Ross’ sacrifice has inspired young people to do good in their community. The results of this memorial service award have been excellent, and I anticipate that it will continue to encourage community service by our youth.”
Joyce A Fosdick, Executive Director of Keystone SMILES, organized the event. Keystone SMILES Board of Directors President W. Barnett Knorr, served as the Master of Ceremony. The Ross McGinnis Memorial Service Awards were presented by Mr. Knorr and Walter Shattenberg, Treasurer, Keystone SMILES Board of Directors.
For more information on the Ross McGinnis Memorial Service Awards, visit https://www.keystonesmiles.org/.
