Heather Mohney

EAST PALESTINE — Heather Mohney, a recent East Palestine High School graduate and lifelong Girl Scout, has earned the Girl Scouts’ highest honor — the Gold Award — for a project that will continue benefiting local athletes for years to come.

Heather, who graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 2025, designed and built a shelter at the East Palestine track, located near the shot put throwing ring. A former member of the Bulldogs’ track, she recognized the need for a structure to protect equipment and athletes from rain, snow and sun during practices and meets.

“I chose the shelter as my project as I was a member of the East Palestine High School track throwing team for four years,” Heather said. “I loved shot put and discus, but it was always difficult to maintain such a positive attitude about the sport when the conditions to practice and compete in were constantly working against you. With my project, I hoped to improve the experience of those participating so they could see just how fun and engaging shot put can be when the atmosphere actually reflects how wonderful the sport is, rather than obscuring it in a flooded, muddy shroud.”

The finished shelter, situated behind the away stands next to the throwing pits, features a bench for athletes and hooks for bags, providing both comfort and organization for throwers.

Heather will be officially presented with her Gold Award pin in June 2026 at the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio annual award ceremony.

Her achievement is especially significant — she is only the second Girl Scout in Columbiana County to earn the Gold Award in the past 20 years, following Columbiana Scout Elizabeth Siembida, who received hers the previous year.

Heather’s Gold Award mentor praised her initiative and lasting impact.

“Heather has created a project that will last for years and bring real benefit to the East Palestine track program,” Crystal Siembida Boggs said. “From gathering donations and choosing her project mentor to teaching younger athletes how to throw properly, she showed true leadership and dedication. I’m proud of her work.”

For Heather, earning the Gold Award was the culmination of a lifetime in scouting.

“I have been a Girl Scout for the majority of my life,” she said. “I started as a Daisy in kindergarten and am now an adult. Through Girl Scouts I’ve met so many wonderful people and experienced so many incredible things. This organization has helped me blossom as a person, encouraging me to always try new things and maintain an open mind about the world and the people within it.”

Heather, 18, is attending Youngstown State University, where she is majoring in biology. She is the daughter of Leslie and Tammy Mohney.