CM students Rizzo, Hanna honored as Dr. Rendos Scholar-Athletes
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Two Central Mountain High School students, Grace Rizzo and Jack Hanna, were honored Wednesday as they were voted and nominated for the second annual Dr. Michael S. Rendos – Scholar-Athlete Award. To be eligible students needed to achieve academic excellence (GPA of 3.5 or higher) while participating in a Central Mountain High School co-curricular activity during the 2022-23 school year.
The recipients and their families were present at Haywood’s on the Green at Clinton County Country Club for a luncheon with Dr. Rendos and Central Mountain Athletic Director Steve Hafele to celebrate the award.
Dr. Rendos has served as Assistant AD for almost ten years in some capacity or another. He embodies the kind of person and hard work the award represents. He has been a staple of Central Mountain Athletics since the start of Central Mountain in 1999. He was a former Lock Haven High School and Central Mountain guidance counselor and is a certified PIAA Official and game manager. Athletic Director Hafele said, “Dr. Rendos embodies and serves as the perfect role model for academic and athletic excellence that many students will come to strive for in many years to come.”
Dr. Rendos congratulated the group on their scholarship and said, “I’m humbled to have my name associated with two outstanding prototypes of high school students.” Dr Rendos highlighted the importance of both good academics and participating in co-curricular activities to help develop youth. He thanked the parents for helping shape the students into the stellar individuals they have become.
Male student Jack Hanna was chosen by many of his coaches and was a unanimous decision by the athletic committee. Jack finished the year with 99.3 GP.
-3x 1st Team HAC-1 Selection (only in school history) –
-HAC-1 Champion – HAC Tournament Champion –
-Started 3 consecutive District VI Class 5A Finals –
-2x District Champion –
-Started in 4 career State Playoff games –
-He played in 88 career games, starting 71 of them –
-4th player in school history to score 1,000 points (1,060) (3rd to do it in just a CM uniform) –
-5th in single-season points –
-4th in career made 3s –
-4th in career assists –
-3rd in career steals –
-Altoona Mirror All-Star selection –
-Central PA All-Star selection
Many coaches and teachers voted for female student Grace Rizzo as an outstanding student with high character. Grace finished the year with a 96.6 GPS.
-She has been on the track team since 7th grade and has lettered every year in high school. In her junior year, she placed first in Discus at districts and competed at the state meet. She has been an honor roll student and is involved with the National Honors Society.
