Award Winners

2019 Award Winner
Danielle Walukas

Danielle, the daughter of Ray and Beth Walukas of Windber, is a senior at Windber Area High School where she is very active in many school music and club organizations, as well as many church functions, such as mission trips, Bible study and summer Bible school. She has been the recipient of numerous honors such as Tournament of Band Atlantic Coast Champions and art awards to name just a few. She is using her award to attend Point Park University.

2019 Award Winner
Hannah Vogel

Hannah, the daughter of Dawn and Shawn Vogel of Windber, is a senior at Windber Area High School where she serves in leadership positions in clubs, mentors/tutors younger students at Outdoor Odyssey and the middle school and is the soccer and track statistician. Hannah will use her award to attend Campbell University.

2019 Award Winner
Jenna Dagostino

Jenna, daughter of Jeff Dagostino, is a senior at Windber Area High School. She participates in varsity tennis, student council and service clubs in addition to serving at the local mobile food bank, the Berkey COB and making blankets for nursing home residents while she works part time jobs. Jenna will use her award to attend Potomac State College of West Virginia University.

2019 Award Winner
Madison Leonardis

Madison Leonardis, daughter of Lori and Jude Leonardis, is a 2018 graduate of Windber Area High School where she participated in many activities such as numerous sports, National Honor Society, SADD and other service clubs, mentored/taught younger sports students, volunteered at the local Human Society and Windber food pantry. She enlisted in the United States Army Reserves after graduation and did her basic training inn 2019. She began attending Saint Francis University in January 2020 where she will use her award.

2019 Award Winner
Cullen Mikulsky

The foundation sponsored 305 children at the Windber Sportsmen 2019 fish rodeo and purchased two tablets as grand prizes again this year. The grand prizes winners were Cullen Mikulsky, age 5, from Greensburg and Trevor Yourich, age 7, from Davidsville.

2019 Award Winner
Trevor Yourich

The foundation sponsored 305 children at the Windber Sportsmen 2019 fish rodeo and purchased two tablets as grand prizes again this year. The grand prizes winners were Cullen Mikulsky, age 5, from Greensburg and Trevor Yourich, age 7, from Davidsville.

2018 Award Winner
Sierra Ohler

A donation was made to sponsor the registration for all 228 youth who attended the Windber Sportsmen's Association 2018 Fish Rodeo. Sierra Ohler, age 11 from Johnstown, was one of two grand prize winners of an iPad which was also provided by the memorial fund.

2018 Award Winner
Abby Niessner

Abby Niessner, age 4 from Windber, the second of two grand prize winners of an iPad at the Fish Rodeo.

2018 Award Winner
Windber Area School District Archery Club

The foundation board members presented an award to Randy Roxby, Advisor of the Windber Area School District Archery Club. The donation will be used at Camp Hamilton Environmental Education Center. This one of a kind facility, which was rebuilt using Federal monies after the Johnstown Flood of 1977, is a premier location to develop into a multi-functional educational/outdoor activity venue. A focal point of the site is the student developed nature trail system. Trails will be improved so students can traverse safely while shooting a 3-D archery course. Improvements to several wet springs will establish salamander breeding areas. Thirty shooting stations and upgrades will help to enhance their N.A.S.P. and Bow Hunting in Schools programs so that students can experience one of the most innovative, progressive and productive programs in the Commonwealth of PA.

This will give students an opportunity to participate in a positive lifetime sport and hopefully deter involvement with drugs and other detrimental activities.

Click here to see all Archery Club images

2018 Award Winner
Scalp Level
Rummel Churches Youth Group

A donation was made to the Scalp Level/Rummel Churches Youth Group for a fundraiser and mission trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the Summer of 2017.

2017 Award Winner
Windber Sportsmen's Association 2017 Fish Rodeo
Allee Mnich

A donation was made to sponsor the registration for all 229 youth who attended the Windber Sportsmen's Association 2017 Fish Rodeo. Allee Mnich of East Conemaugh was the grand prize winner of an Android Tablet which was also provided by the memorial fund. Allee is the daughter of Jessica Underwood and Mike Mnich.

2016 Award Winner
Windber Volunteer Fire Department

A refrigerator was purchased with a donation made to the Windber Volunteer Fire Department.

2016 Award Winner
Rambler 23 Basketball Group

Picture not submitted.

2016 Award Winner
Richland Volunteer Fire Department

A donation was made to the Richland Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a tv and sound bar for 1st responders to use in their common area.

2016 Award Winner
Jodi Davids

Jodi is a 15 year old girl originally from Cape Town, South Africa who recently moved to the United States to live with her aunt and uncle Michelle Pushinsky and Donovan Sheldon from Jennerstown, PA in order to overcome exposure to crime, unemployment and high drug abuse rates. This move enabled Jodi to attend the Johnstown Christian School and also dedicate her time to volunteering as a junior counselor and leader-in-training at Camp Harmony in Hooversville, PA. She is using her award to offset some expenses to attend the Johnstown Christian School.

2016 Award Winner
Makayla Dembrosky

A donation was made to sponsor the registration for all 288 youth who attended the Windber Sportsmen's Association 2016 Fish Rodeo. Makayla Dembrosky of Johnstown was the grand prize winner of a Nextbook Tablet which was also provided by the memorial fund.

2015 Award Winner
Gavin Young

A donation was made to sponsor the registration for all 264 youth who attended the Windber Sportsmen's Association Annual Fish Rodeo. Gavin Young was the grand prize winner of a Nextbook Tablet which was provided by the memorial fund.

2015 Award Winner
Adrianne Kuhar

Adrianne, the daughter of Louis and Carol Kuhar of Johnstown, is a senior at Central Cambria High School where she is very active in cheerleading, mentoring programs, yearbook, prom, in addition to, volunteering time at a dance studio she attends, Lions' Club breakfasts, walk-a-thons and scouting activities, to name a few. She has been the recipient of numerous honors such as dance competition awards, Daughters of American Revolution Award and Distinguished Young Women Talent Award. She is using her award to attend Penn Highland Community College before moving on to a 4 year school to study public relations, communications and human services so she can continue working to help children and the elderly.

2014 Award Winner
Windber Elementary Competition Cheerleaders

Windber Elementary Competition Cheerleaders were sponsored with a donation.

2014 Award Winner
Laiken Swinger

A donation was made to sponsor the registration for all 267 youth who attended the Windber Sportsmen's Association Annual Fish Rodeo. Laiken Swinger was the grand prize winner of a Nextbook Tablet which was provided by the memorial fund.

2014 Award Winner
Evan Quinn

Evan, the son of Kim and Joe Quinn, is a 14 year old student at Windber High School. He helps with clean up activities at the Windber Recreation Park and has been a field assistant at Special Olympics. Evan used his award to be a participant on a mission trip with Saint Anthony of Padue Church. Picture not submitted.

2014 Award Winner
Windber Little League

A donation was made to purchase the score board for the Windber Little League.

2014 Award Winner
Young Peoples Community Center (YPCC) Basketball League

A donation was made to sponsor a team of 3rd and 4th graders in the Young Peoples Community Center (YPCC) Basketball League in Ebensburg.

2013 Award Winner
David Beahr

David Beahr is the son of Paul Beahr and Kim Hudak and a 2013 graduate of Windber Area High School. Throughout his high school career, David has held numerous part time positions including working as a certified machinist and equipment operator at Shade Enterprises and serving as a student intern as a pharmaceutical technician at Martells’s Pharmacy. David has also volunteered in many capacities in many school and community organizations including organizing Red Cross blood drives, cooking and serving meals at retirement homes and soup kitchens and raising thousands of dollars for cancer research and hospice. He also was very active in other school activities such as National Honor Society, football, student government and scholastic quiz to name a few. David is using his award for school related expenses.

2013 Award Winner
Chloe Reese

Chloe Reese is a senior at Conemaugh Township High School and the daughter of Lori and Kirby Reese. Although working part time while in school, she still volunteers and participates in activities such as track, Principal’s Cabinet, student council, cheerleading, Camp PARC, Willow Tree Academy, Hoops for Heart and Pennies for Patients, among others. She plans to use her award for school expenses to attend the nursing program at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2013.

2013 Award Winner
Brady Sheehan

Brady Sheehan is the son of Greg and Alicia Sheehan of Windber and a 2013 graduate of Windber Area High School. Brady’s community service include being a Faith and Light Advisor to individuals with intellectual disabilities, serving as needed at a soup kitchen and helping to create a Technology Education Association chapter at WAHS. A few of Brady’s other affiliations are football, National Honor Society and Vex Robotics. He plans to use his award to help with his tuition at Duquesne University.

2013 Award Winner
Molly Spinos

Molly Spinos is a senior at Windber High School and the daughter of Greg and Karen Spinos. She volunteers and participates in blood drives, coaching volleyball, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, SADD, yearbook, language and art clubs and Church of the Brethren Youth.

Molly plans to use her award to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh after gradating high school in 2013.

2012 Award Winner
Amanda Potasnik

Amanda Potasnik is the daughter of Gregory and Patricia Potasnik and a 2012 graduate of Richland High School. She has volunteered and participated in Outdoor Odyssey, Church of the Brethren Bible School, Special Olympics, National Honor Society, Relay for Life, Biotechnology Design Competition and other community and school activities. Amanda is using her award for school expenses while attending Robert Morris University.

2012 Award Winner
Brianne Wagner

Brianne Wagner is the daughter of Dawn Wagner and a 2012 graduate of the Windber Area High School. Although she has been very involved in many school and community activities such as band, reading team, scholastic quiz, video club, outdoor odyssey and others; she has held leadership roles in many of them such as organizing and overseeing a mentoring program. Brianne is using her award to obtain a lifetime Girl Scout membership and enroll in trainings required to become a Girl Scout leader in the Greensburg, PA community while attending Seton Hill College.

2011 Award Winner
Adam Kmett

Adam Kmett is the son of Leonard & Jolene Kmett of Holsopple, is a 2011 graduate of Conemaugh Twp. High School and attends Washington & Jefferson College majoring in political science. Adam volunteered over 750 hours at a number of different agencies in the community while attending high school where he was active in many organizations like forensics, debate team, track, swim team, National Honor Society, SADD and scholastic quiz to name only a few. Adam worked throughout his high school years as a life guard/swim instructor and a handy man, yet found time to be a nursery helper, lector and acolyte at St. David’s Lutheran Church. Adam is using his award to help pay his tuition for college.

2011 Award Winner
Alyssa Oldham

Alyssa Oldham is the daughter of Tom & Chris Oldham of Davidsville, has worked two part time jobs throughout her high school years at Conemaugh Twp. High School and has completed 35 college credits from UPJ and Penn Highlands. She has done most of her volunteer work at the Oakland United Methodist Church, at Conemaugh Hospital’s EKG lab and on week long relief trips to help flood and tornado victims in Mississippi and Iowa. Alyssa is using her award to help with her college expenses.

2011 Award Winner
Rebecca Dilla

Rebecca Dilla is the daughter of Darlene & Michael Dilla of Holsopple and a 2011 graduate. She has been a church camp counselor, has raised money to help build wells in Africa, was a member of a youth ministry team, SADD, band, chorus, speech team, girl scouts, fencing club and National Honor Society. She is using her award to help with her college expenses.

2011 Award Winner
Shawn Lehman

Shawn is the son of Thomas and Georgia Lehman, a graduate of the Greater Johnstown High School and currently attends Saint Vincent College earning a degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education. Shawn has worked a number of places while attending school including as a paper carrier for his hometown newspaper, at Java House, Sheetz and the American Red Cross. He has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, mentors freshman at St. Vincent, participates in Campus Ministries, works with disadvantaged youth, and serves as a cantor for Divine Liturgy when home from college. Shawn will use his award to help pay for a pilgrimage to Rome in May 2011 with his college's Campus Ministries where he will have the opportunity to tour the Vatican and be part of a general audience with the Pope, as well as learn about the culture, education, politics and religious views of that region of the world.

2010 Award Winner
Cody Belle

Cody Belle is the son of Ross and Carol Belle and a 2010 graduate of the Johnstown Christian School. Cody’s community service included personally raising over $2,000 to benefit a local soup kitchen where he regularly volunteers, organizing food drives which resulted in having three truck loads of food to give to those in need on Christmas Day, collecting and distributing over 1100 coats, as well as, numerous smaller scale functions which provide answers to needs of those less fortunate as they occur in the community. He has a special way of being sensitive to others’ needs and not resting until he finds a way to meet them. He will use his award for education in the Johnstown area so he may remain involved with providing services to areas of the community that have already benefited from his initiative and imagination.

2010 Award Winner
Maria Bonitz

Maria Bonitz, is the daughter of David and Rebecca Bonitz of Windber, a member of St. Anthony's Church, All Star Cheerleaders, SADD, numerous other performance and service organizations, and a 2010 graduate of Windber High School. Her service hours consisted of helping with activities at the church, Relay for Life, making and selling hundreds of Hoops for Hope Dream Catchers to raise money for another young person's chemo therapy treatments and organizing a basketball tournament so donations could be made to help with childhood cancer research at Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh. Some of the events that Maria has organized will continue to be yearly fundraisers to help organization in future years. Maria plans to use her award to help pay for expenses to attend Carlow University and become a nurse.

2010 & 2008 Award Winner
Nicholas Holsopple

Although Nick is just a junior in high school, his list of service and volunteering is extensive. He continues to volunteer time through his participation with the Boy Scouts and his affiliation with St. Anne's Church and has recently added the March of Dimes Walk and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Walk to raise money for those causes. He, also, has been helping a local business man restore his building after it suffered extensive damage after a water line break. Nick is using his award to purchase some of the materials that he needs to make much needed repairs and beautify the very old and neglected Keim Cemetery in his community.

See the Cemetery restoration project that Nick completed using his award winnings.

Click here to see all restoration images

2010 Award Winner
Juliann Hudak

Julian Hudak is the daughter of Edward and Kimberly Roberts Hudak of Windber, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, SADD, Windber Research Institute Team, Relay for Life and a 2010 graduate of Windber High School. Her service and volunteering time has been both locally and internationally because she enjoys working with the elderly clients at an assisted living facility, raising money by participating in Crop Walks, teaching Bible School as well as serving on two missions trips to Peru and Haiti. Juliann wants to use her award to help defray costs to participate in another mission trip to Haiti and further her education.

2010 Award Winner
Morghan Kusch

Morghan Kusch is the daughter of Kristen Kusch and a 2010 graduate of Conemaugh Township where she was a member of National Honor Society, Musical & Drama Club, Conservation Club, chorus and cheerleading. Her volunteer time was at the Bridge to Life Church, Special Olympics and as a camp counselor. Morghan plans to use her award to attend Point Park University where she will be enrolled in elementary education with a concentration in theatre arts.

2010 & 2007 Award Winner
Michael Muir

Michael will use his award to continue attending Penn State University.

2010 Award Winner
Kelci Rullo

Kelci Rullo is the daughter of Anthony and Kmberly Rullo of Davidsville and a 2010 Conemaugh Township graduate. She is a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Students Against Destructive Decisions and others. Her community service focused mostly on health care activities at Memorial Medical Center, Serving Our Neighbors and the YMCA. She will use her award to attend Wheeling Jesuit University studying to become an athletic trainer and a physical therapist.

2010 Award Winner
Janae Speigle

Janae Speigle is the daughter of Robert and Danita Speigle of Boswell and a graduate of the Johnstown Christian School where she graduated 2nd in her class. She is also a very active member of National Honor Society, soccer, bell choir, ski club, the Mennonite Church and is co-editor of the school yearbook. Janae served both locally and nationally by doing odd jobs, yard work and minor repairs for elderly and ill neighbors, working at a local soup kitchen, volunteering at Bible School and ARC Camps, and participating on mission trips to Iowa and Maine to help with flood relief. She plans to use her award to defray the personal cost involved with her decision to serve for 10 months in a Mennonite program called Service Adventure in Albuquerque, New Mexico as a therapeutic assistant on a horse ranch helping mentally, physically and emotionally handicapped individuals.

2010 Award Winner
Scott Thomas

Scott Thomas is the son of Roger and Cheryl Thomas and a 2010 graduate of Conemaugh Township. He is a member of National Honor Society, Serving Our Neighbors, SADD, Teens Against Tobacco Use, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and sports teams. His service includes activities at both Emmanuel Baptist and Parkline United Methodist Churches, the Fish and Game Commission and building a house with Hosana Ministries. Scott will use his award to study environmental science at Juniata College.

2009 Award Winner
Emily Spinos

Emily Spinos is the daughter of Greg & Karen Spinos of Windber, a member of the Moxham Church of the Brethren and a graduate of Windber High School. Her volunteer service includes numerous hours helping with blood drives at school, serving as an acolyte, helping in the church nursery, social and community functions, assisting with jr. church, visiting nursing home residents, bringing meals or gifts to those in need, and doing chores and running errands for those needing a helping hand. She used her award to become licensed as a nurse anesthetist.

2008 Award Winner
Amanda Ream

Amanda Ream is the daughter of John & Karen Ream of Johnstown and a graduate of Richland High School. She volunteered with Golden Girls Pet Therapy Days at hospitals and nursing homes, as well as numerous fund raising activities. She used her award toward her education in Nursing.

2008 Award Winner
Ashley Weinzierl

(picture and information unavailable to date)

2008 Award Winners
Nickolas Holsopple, Peter Von Lunen and Stephen Ketner

Nick Holsopple, Peter Von Lunen & Peter Ketner scouts of Davidsville Troop 114 who served their community by participating on clean up days at Camp Harmony, volunteering at food drives, Memorial Day services and local fire department fish fries, as well as performing maintenance, up keep and restoration at Union Cemetery in Davidsville. They used their awards toward the purchase of a new trailer for the storage and transportation of troop equipment and supplies to and from their many outings and service projects.

2007 Award Winner
Michael Muir

Michael Muir is the son of John & Sally Muir of Hollsopple and a graduate of Conemaugh Township High School. He served as a counselor at Camp PARC and was a volunteer for Special Olympics, Comemaugh Twp. elementary basketball camp, Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army. He used his award for college expenses in the field of Architectural Engineering.

2007 Award Winner
Angela Nealen

Angela Nealen is the daughter or Theodore & Susan Nealen of Nicktown and a graduate of Bishop Carroll High School. She volunteers by coaching basketball, mentoring through the Outdoor Odyssey Program, serves as a member of the diocesan youth ministry committees and participates in numerous other school and church activities. She used her award to further her education in the field of chemical engineering.

2006 Award Winner
Eric Wentz

Eric Wentz is the son of Mark & Pamela Wentz of Johnstown and a graduate of Ferndale High School. He served countless hours of missionary work throughout California, Philadelphia, DC, Indiana and locations in Johnstown. Eric sent us this note of how he used his award. "I just wanted to thank you once again for setting up your foundation and allowing me the honor of receiving your funds. . . I will be leaving for a five week trip to Germany. Thanks to you I was able to afford a plane ticket for this trip. This is truly a dream come true for me. I've always wanted to go to Europe. . . I will be staying with our former exchange student and his family. He has many relatives and friends living around Europe so I will have the opportunity to see many things. . . We will be going to the Alps to visit his aunt and celebrate her 50th birthday and going to Paris for a couple of days. I'm so excited about Paris because I'm going to Millersville University to major in French Education. Thank you so much for granting me the opportunity to see the world and improve my German and French skills. It will greatly benefit my future."