An 18-year-old who works as an employee at a Pittsburgh-area Sheetz store has earned himself some major accolades and recognition from folks in his community.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Justin Stuebgen, 18, has become the first winner of the “Junior Volunteer Citizen of the Year” award from the Armstrong County Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber created the Junior Volunteer award this year to complement other annual awards it issues: the “Volunteer Citizen of the Year” and “Business of the Year” awards.
Armstrong County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lynda Pozzuto said people in the community kept telling her, “You have to look at this kid … He does so many wonderful things in the community,” the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
“It wasn’t just one person who nominated him,” Pozzuto said. “We heard about Justin by word of mouth from all over the community.”
Stuebgen is a Ford City High School senior, and he works at Sheetz and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Pennsylvania State Rept. Jeff Pyle, R-Ford City, will present the awards along with State Sen. Don White, R-Indiana, and the Armstrong County commissioners.
“You run into one of those kinds of kids now and then,” Pyle said. “He’s a leader by example. He’s a great young man and I appreciate that he does it all without wanting the accolades.”
“When he’s not doing community service, he’s my counter guy at Sheetz making my MTO,” Pyle told the Tribune-Review.
Stuebgen plays an active role in the community by participating in Relay for Life and frequently donating blood for the American Red Cross. As a member of LEO Club, he works at Earth Day cleanup, ethnic dinner and senior citizen Snowball events, the newspaper reported.
He is a member of the Manor Fire Department as well, where he participates in fundraising events, maintains the fire hall and trucks and responds to emergencies.
His other school activities include football, track, class cabinet, National Honor Society, school board representative, chorus, Quiz Bowl team, Envirothon, SADD and newspaper staff.
He is an Army National Guard enlistee, and his college plans include an ROTC scholarship toward becoming a JAG (military Judge Advocate General) attorney.