Mario Koch, 17, named ‘Young Marine of the Year’

Mario Koch, 17, of North Olmsted, has been named Young Marine of the Year for Division 5, which includes 10 states in the Midwest.

As Young Marine of the Year, Koch will escort World War II veterans to Guam and Iwo Jima in the fall. The island of Iwo Jima is open only one day each year for this special reunion of Japanese and American veterans.

Sgt. Maj. Koch is a member of the Greater Cleveland Young Marines from Fairview Park, under the command of Dan Dotson.

Koch is a junior at North Olmsted High School. Over the course of the year, he will travel to other units throughout the division to lead, motivate, and serve as a role model for other Young Marines.

“I am honored to earn the title of Division Young Marine of the Year, and I am excited to motivate and inspire other Young Marines throughout my division,” said Koch.

He joined the Young Marines at age nine and is in his eighth year in the program. He said he joined because he wanted to make friends and learn to be a leader.

As a Young Marine, Koch has earned the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) device, been named Top Ten at the Advanced Leadership School, received ribbons for attendance for six consecutive years, and earned 43 ribbons for additional accomplishments.

Outside of the Young Marines, he plays varsity basketball and football for his high school.

After graduating, he plans on attending college to study sports medicine to become a sports medicine physician.

Koch is the son of Juanita Koch-Kovach, who was an adult volunteer with the Young Marines for six years, and his stepfather John Kovach, who served 21 years in the Army.

In the spring, Koch will represent his division in competition with five other division winners for the title of National Young Marine of the Year. (Koch’s division includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin).

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501 (c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school.

The organization promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members and focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. For more information, visit https:// www.YoungMarines.com.

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