Audra Johnson, right, presents the Arnold Johnson technology scholarship to Owego’s Alexis Eaton.
The Arnold Johnson technology scholarship is sponsored by Johnson’s Pools and Spas in honor of their courageous founder. It is to recognize a student who had the courage to overcome adversity with honor and integrity and character.
At the age of 51, it took Arnold Johnson courage to leave the security of a career with IBM to work full-time and his young fledgling swimming pool business while at the same time being diagnosed with debilitating Parkinson’s disease. This disease slowly robbed him of the ability to drive, to dress himself, to feed himself or to even speak. But as long as he could still walk, Arnie would continue to go to work. Staying home was never an option. Arne eventually did go home though, to be with the Lord this past December.
Sportscaster Howard Cosell also battled Parkinson’s disease. He said, “There is a higher type of Courage. The courage to Brave pain, to live with it, to never let others know of it, and to still find joy in life.”
The winner of the Arnold Johnson technology scholarship likewise has emerged from adversity with honor and courage. The scholarship is awarded to Alexis Eaton of Owego. Alexis plans to pursue a degree and career in nursing.
