Junior travels to New York to accept award

ACHIEVE — As the college search process kicks off for the junior class, junior Zach Turnitza has his sights set on a military academy. He is the 2018 PAHS recipient of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award, which is given to a student who demonstrates excellence in the areas of academics, leadership, community service and athletics. “The Dwight D. Eisenhower award was more of a wake-up call than an award for me,” Turnitza said. “When I walked onto the campus, it suddenly hit me that I had to start to focus more on school and sports and cut out the extra in my life if I wanted to get into a service academy. [West Point] was a very nice school, and it wouldn’t be a bad place to call home for the next four years. Turnitza traveled with his family to West Point, NY, for an April 21 awards ceremony held at the university to honor him along with other recipients.

Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Michele Turnitza

ACHIEVE — As the college search process kicks off for the junior class, junior Zach Turnitza has his sights set on a military academy. He is the 2018 PAHS recipient of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award, which is given to a student who demonstrates excellence in the areas of academics, leadership, community service and athletics. “The Dwight D. Eisenhower award was more of a wake-up call than an award for me,” Turnitza said. “When I walked onto the campus, it suddenly hit me that I had to start to focus more on school and sports and cut out the extra in my life if I wanted to get into a service academy. [West Point] was a very nice school, and it wouldn’t be a bad place to call home for the next four years. Turnitza traveled with his family to West Point, NY, for an April 21 awards ceremony held at the university to honor him along with other recipients.