Ford City Graduate Awarded Second Scholarship

by Jonathan Weaver

The second “Albert B. Croyle Scholarship” was given to a Ford City graduate before last week’s Worthington-West Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Carnival.

After being wait-listed at the beginning of the calendar year and officially accepted in February, Yuri Panchik will attend Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. – his first choice - to study history this fall. He plans to attend law school after his graduation and service.

“I’ll train for four years at VMI, get my Bachelor’s degree – first and foremost, VMI is an academic institution with an ROTC aspect as well,” Panchik said. “I’ll do both simultaneously and be commissioned after my four years. I could pick any branch (of the armed forces), but right now, I’m leaning toward the (U.S.) Army.”

ROTC stands for “Reserve Officers’ Training Corps” - a college-based training program for commissioned officers around the United States.

Panchik is the first Ford City graduate since 2002 to enroll in Virginia Military Institute after their high school graduation. He has spoken to that graduate – Phil Hahn – via e-mail.

Hahn earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. His first assignment in the U.S. Air Force – where he is now a Captain - was at Edwards Air Force Base in California as a research scientist.

The pair has communicated about the benefits of the school since October.
Panchik said Hahn was a “great mentor” to make his decision.

Both of Panchik’s grandfathers served in the U.S. Army during World War II
Panchik’s best friend – and fellow graduate - Mike Bartosiewicz left to join the U.S. Marine Corps last week as well.

“Growing up with him has definitely influenced my decision,” Panchik said.

Panchik – who will take part in the summer transition program in July before becoming a “rat” - also received a scholarship within Virginia Military Institute, as well as several local Ford City scholarships.

“Physical fitness is a huge part of VMI, so to go and prepare is a huge necessity,” Panchik said.

Worthington/West Franklin Joint Parks and Recreation Secretary/Treasurer Kathy Heilman said this was the second year for the $500 scholarship opportunity, and that the organization hopes to award two scholarships annually to graduating seniors that are residents of Worthington Borough or West Franklin Township.

Earlier this month, Kittanning Senior High graduate Taylor Wright was also awarded one of the organization’s $500 scholarships.

Wright plans to attend Clarion University in the Fall to study nursing.

Along with the “Albert B. Croyle Scholarship,” Wright had been awarded two additional scholarships from Clarion.

“Taylor and Yuri were both easy to select,” Heilman said. “They both had all of the requirements we were looking for – it was a unanimous decision.”

The scholarships were established in the name of the former borough mayor, fire department vice-president and community volunteer. The student leaders also had to describe their community involvement and service in the form of an essay.

Parks and Recreation Chairman William Hodak, and Croyle presented Panchik the scholarship money at the Worthington Civic Center while Panchik’s father – Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas Judge James Panchik – looked on.