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Community Corner

Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid: Jonah Branovsky

For his Eagle Scout project, the Oakdale teen built picnic tables for the veterans' rest camp.

Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid: Jonah Branovsky

School: North High School

Accomplishment: Earning the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout award.

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Key to Awesomeness: Jonah Branovsky achieved something most Boy Scouts never make it to—the rank of Eagle Scout. For his service project to achieve the rank, he worked in the Veterans Rest Camp, located at Big Marine Lake, constructing 10 outdoor picnic tables for the benefit of the rest camp, built over three days, with two days of precutting parts and one day of assembly on site.  The construction crew he assembled and managed was a total of over 20 youth and five adults all working together over the three-day period. 

For this project, he had to create a budget, a bill of materials, create and draw plans, cut materials and put them together and use the skills of project management. The eight-member team had the materials delivered to a preparation site where they pre-cut materials and dilled holes for to make the assembly time on site go much faster.

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The project was as shining success for Branovsky and the Veterans Rest Camp; both gained 10 well-constructed picnic tables, which will be around for a long time to come. These tables are not just a practical resource the Veterans Rest Camp can use, but they symbolize hard work, dedication, selflessness and a desire to community service.

Not only has he been a member of the Boy Scouts of America, but he is in Air Force JROTC, is active in his local church group and is competitive in sports such as baseball.

One of Branovsky’s ambitions is to be admitted to the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO, or to attend a local college and enroll in Air Force ROTC. His primary ambition is to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force and become a pilot to help protect and defend his country. The Branovsky family has a long history of service to country and Jonah plans to continue his family’s long heritage of military service.

Each week, Oakdale Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to patty.busse@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information: nominator's name, nominator's e-mail, Whiz Kid's name, Whiz Kid's age, Whiz Kid's school, Whiz Kid's accomplishment, Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail patty.busse@patch.com.

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