Ava Groth, of Mountain Top, recently was recognized by the American Legion Auxiliary as the National Junior of the Year for 2022.
Groth’s efforts caught national attention after she completed her most recent service project she called Mission: Restoring Memories. She recruited more than 50 volunteers from the Mountain Top community to clean over 200 military gravestones at Albert Cemetery, St. Mary’s Cemetery, and St. Martin’s Cemetery.
Deb Albers, the National Chairman for junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, notified Groth of her selection in June, and invited her and her mother to attend the National Convention held in August in Milwaukee.
There, Groth spoke to a packed convention hall about her experiences with the American Legion, and she focused on the spirit with which auxiliary members throughout Pennsylvania have helped her grow over the past four years.
She emphasized that “everyone who is eligible should join the American Legion Auxiliary.” She noted that her affiliation with the auxiliary was like being part of a large family.
Groth also urged teenage girls to consider attending Girls State, an annual retreat developing skills in civics and leadership, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.
The daughter of Ed Groth and Stacey Acri, Ava is a 2022 graduate of Crestwood High School and has recently begun Pre-Med studies at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
