Worthington Alumni Give Back to Local Organizations
Following this year’s Worthington High School reunion at the former high school, Alumni Committee members divided up excess funds to a handful of local organizations. (KP File Photo).
by Jonathan Weaver
Following their five-year reunion in June, Worthington High School Alumni Committee members decided to give back to their hometown.
Committee members gave $9,000 toward four local organizations, member Al Croyle said.
“We donated $7,000 to the (Worthington-West Franklin Parks and Recreation Authority), $950 to the Al Croyle Scholarship Fund and $950 to the American Legion for the Bob Edwards Scholarship Fund and $100 toward a memorial for Don Long,” Croyle said. “When all the bills were paid, the committee got together and decided how they were going to disburse the extra funds.”
Croyle – a Worthington High School 1959 graduate who was co-captain of the Bisons basketball team, in the school band and other activities – said all the organizations that benefited were worthy of the contributions, but that the Parks and Recreation Authority stood out.
Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Bill Hodak – a Worthington 1965 alumnus - said the committee’s donation will help fund several possible projects – such as new flooring in the kitchen and tarring maintenance on both school roofs.
The kitchen also aids senior citizens who regularly use the civic center for Worthington Senior Center events.
“There was a big 10-year reunion and they got a lot of money and response, and they just gave it all back to the community,” Hodak said.
Croyle said the Authority stood out to committee members because of their generosity during reunions.
“The Authority was very cooperative with everything we wanted to do there,” Croyle said. “And, it’s through their efforts that we’re able to keep the old place over there and still have a school to come back to for a reunion.”
Officially dubbed the ‘Albert B. Croyle Scholarship,’ $500 is given to students from Worthington Borough or West Franklin Township each June. This past year, Yuri Panchik and Taylor Wright both received scholarships.
Edwards – former commander of Worthington American Legion Post #828 - was a founding member of AMVETS, the Palomino Baseball League in Worthington and the Armstrong County American Legion Honor Guard.
Long – the former owner of Long’s Worthington Market, longtime chair of the Worthington Carnival and president of Worthington Borough Council - passed away November 20. He is memorialized near the Worthington-West Franklin Fire Department in Worthington Park.
“(Long) was involved in pretty-much anything that went on out here,” Croyle recalled.
A reunion for anyone who attended the former high school through ninth grade is held every five years. Croyle’s daughter, Amy and son, Jeffrey, graduated from Worthington before it closed in 1984, but son, Eric, graduated from Kittanning High School in 1985.
Local News | jweaver October 7, 2015
