HONORS

HONORS
Earned Eagle award
Michael T. Mound, son of William G. and Carol L. Mound of Pine Trace Street, Austintown, has earned his Eagle Scout Award, which he received at a court of honor at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Michael started scouting in 1994 with Cub Scout Pack 84 in Austintown. He earned his Arrow of Light Award, Cub Scouting's highest honor, in February 1998. He joined Boy Scout Troop 84 that same month.
For his Eagle project, Michael planned and supervised the building of two trestle-style picnic tables and four benches for his church, Redeemer Lutheran, in Austintown. All materials for the project were donated by Rogers Lumber in Niles.
He has served as assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. Michael has earned 29 merit badges and has participated in numerous fund-raising and community service projects.
He also earned his God and Country Award in 2001 and is a member of the Order of the Arrow, which he received in 2003.
He is a sophomore at Austintown Fitch High School and is a member of its band. He is a member of the church youth group and also a member of RC Short Circuits, a radio control airplane club.
Ohio State Parks award
COLUMBUS -- Barb Neill, manager of Lake Milton State Park, has received Ohio State Parks Service & amp; Stewardship Award for 2003, says the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The award recognizes Neill's efforts to successfully implement long-term goals of Ohio State Parks in her day-to-day operations.
Neill, with the help of local community groups, was responsible for many park improvements including construction of a new walking/bicycling trail, said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. Neill helped offset the trail project cost through grants, private and business donations and volunteer labor.
A series of annual events that involve the local community attract thousands of visitors to the park. Hundreds of local school children benefit from the park's School Days program.
Neill, a Georgia native, has been with ODNR for 22 years. She started her career as a secretary at Guilford Lake, and has been a park officer, assistant manager and manager at Lake Milton, having moved to current position in January 2002. She and her husband, Russell, live in Lake Milton.
SCOUTS
Gold Award recipient
Michelle Mizicko is a recent recipient of the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. She received the award at the Girl Scouts of Lake to River Silver and Gold Banquet on April 25 at Ciminero's Banquet Center in Niles.
A daughter of Joe and Phyllis Mizicko, Michelle lives at Cadwallader Sonk Road in Vienna. She is a senior at Mathews High School.
Michelle is a member of Troop 74, which is led by her mother. She has been a member of Girl Scouting for 13 years.
For her Gold Award project, Michelle made "busy bags" for children, filled with puzzles, games and craft kits.
Her other Girl Scout awards and honors include the Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Leadership Awards and the Girl Scout Silver Award.
Eagle-award recipient
A.J. Watson, son of Beau and Cheri Watson of Evelyn Road, Austintown, recently received his Eagle Scout Award.
A.J. has been a member of Troop 84 in Austintown for six years under the leadership of Mark Dirienzo, Mark Beacom and his father. He has earned a total of 22 merit badges, the heritage award and has served a variety of leadership roles.
For his Eagle Service Project, A.J. designed and constructed storage shelves for the band room at Austintown Fitch High School for band director Lawrence Snell.
He is a junior at Fitch, and is a member of the school's marching and symphonic bands and a varsity member of the wrestling team. He is a member of Austintown Community Church.
XMilestones is a regular Sunday feature in The Vindicator. Articles must be submitted within 30 days of the Milestone event. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want a picture to be returned. Pictures also may be picked up at the paper's Front Street facility at the security guard station. Send items to: Milestones, c/o The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501.