Shaler Area senior Ben Scariot manages his hectic school, work and volunteer calendar by scheduling activities on consistent weekdays. As an A.W. Beattie Career Center student, he is part of the emergency response technology (ERT) program, focusing on police and fire science, rescue operations, hazardous materials and emergency medical services. “I’ve always wanted to be like a cop or a firefighter, and with the program at Beattie, I joined Etna’s Volunteer Fire Department, so I’m a junior firefighter … I’m working on taking my EMT test, coming up here at the end of March. It’s a way for me to feel like I’m giving back to my community in a different way,” Scariot, 17, said. Scariot said that he initially told his father, Scott – Beattie’s student ethics coordinator — that he wanted to join the ERT program to study EMS. In addition to enjoying that unit, he “almost couldn’t get enough” of learning about fire science and, thus, joined Etna Station 149. Scariot has utilized his ERT knowledge during SkillsUSA district-level competitions. One time he showed judges stop the bleed techniques and another, he and other students obtained fingerprints and compiled a report from a simulated crime scene. The Shaler resident is a National Technical Honor Society member. Scariot is a Beattie Ambassador responsible for providing building tours for visitors and purchasing gifts in appreciation for staff. “We’re pretty much the roadmap of the school,” he said. Furthermore, he has given presentations promoting Beattie at elementary schools. He passed his Eagle Scout board of review in September 2018 for his Christ Lutheran Church Millvale project. “I did a patio area with patio pavers. There’s four benches that if you fold the backs down, they’ll turn into two picnic tables. There’s a fire pit on the patio as well, and there’s a planter box with it,” he said. Scariot remains an active member of Boy Scout Troop 138. He is the Shaler Area Marching Band trumpet section leader and a crew member for Shaler Area High School’s upcoming staging of “Shrek The Musical.” “I think we’re ready to put on a good show for everyone,” he said of the performances running for two March weekends. In between his other commitments, one may find Scariot greeting diners from behind the Ross Monte Cello’s host stand, where he works several days per week. A.W. Beattie School Counselor Kim Zylinski nominated Scariot for the Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen Award for demonstrating “exemplary character and leadership, community service and academic achievements.” After reviewing Scariot’s biography, judges have named Scariot an Elite Top 100 student. He is invited to attend an April awards banquet. “Anyone could have been considered for the award, and they chose me. So that feels pretty special,” he said. Zylinski is extremely impressed with Ben’s list of accomplishments and busy schedule. “He is responsible; he’s very friendly and caring. And then on top of that he shared with me that he is a volunteer firefighter, and he does a lot with his church, which I didn’t know he was so active in his church when we started talking. So, to me he’s just a good example of the kind of student that we love having here at Beattie Career Center,” Zylinski said. Scariot wishes to thank ERT instructor J.T. Thomas for his guidance and Zylinski for the nomination. Following high school, Scariot plans to attend the Community College of Allegheny County and the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania Inc. to study paramedic education. “He’s going places, that’s for sure,” Zylinski said. Scariot is the son of Scott and Amy.