STATE COLLEGE — The times are changing.
For more than 40 years, the Juniata Valley Council Boy Scouts of America have presented the Good Scout Award. This year, the award will have a different name — the Joseph and Sue Paterno Community Impact Award. The award is given to the Centre County resident who most embodies the service-oriented ideals and values of the organization and its youthful charges.
In 1974, Joe Paterno was the first-ever honoree. Now, the award is named for the late Penn State football coach.
“In the past six to eight months, we decided we should change the name of the award to better reflect really what we’re trying to achieve in the community,” said Brent Pasquinelli, Good Scout Dinner committee member. “We would like to expand the award dinner not only to raise more money for Scouting, but also to recognize those individuals who inspire youth in the community; those who have served as mentors in a community leadership fashion.”
Pasquinelli said that the Paternos’ experience helping the community made the name change a no-brainer.
“Joe and Sue Paterno were the first two people on our list,” Pasquinelli said. “We wanted to re-name the award in their honor because they’re two individuals who have inspired and mentored youth throughout their lifetime.”
Re-naming the award wasn’t a complex process, Pasquinelli said.
“We came up with a list of possible names and then we submitted it to the (Juniata Valley Council) board and they came back with an unanimous decision. We let Sue know that we were considering re-naming the award and she and her family graciously accepted.”
Sue Paterno has been involved with the Boy Scouts for quite some time.
“She was a recipient of the award and she’s come to the dinner several times. She also serves on the board,” Pasquinelli said.
The Paternos were also heavily involved with the Centre County United Way and the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.
According to Pasquinelli — who also serves as the master of ceremonies at the dinner — the first-ever Joseph and Sue Paterno Community Impact Award will be presented on Friday, April 22.
Pasquinelli is extremely passionate about the Boy Scouts and the award.
“We all are,” he said. “This award is about honoring an individual. It doesn’t matter if you were a Scout or not. It’s just about making a dramatic impact in the community.”
This year’s honorees are J. Doyle Corman and his wife, Becky.
“We’re very pleased and honored to present the award to the Cormans this year,” Pasquinelli said. “I think they’re very well-deserving of the award.”
