Eighteen vocational students were honored at the Bridges Foundation’s Celebration of Excellence ceremony at Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School (BAVTS) May 4. The high achievers were chosen from 60 applicants for scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Judson Freidl received the top honor with a $5,000 Walter Dealtrey Distinguished Scholarship. The Freedom High School senior is enrolled in the Academy for Applied Engineering at BAVTS. Freidl plans on attending Cornell University with a dual major in chemical engineering and business as steps toward his goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.

The award was named in honor of the late Walter Dealtrey, chairman and founder of the Bridges Foundation. This and the other vo-tech scholarships can be applied toward postsecondary education or for the acquisition of tools to get started in business.

Northampton-area exceptional vo-tech scholars receiving awards include:

Tyrus Bahrman was given a $1,000 Albarell Electric Scholarship and a $1,000 Bridges Foundation Scholarship. The Northampton Area High School (NAHS) senior is enrolled in the Academy for Applied Engineering and Electrical Construction program at BAVTS. A member of Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Bahrman intends to pursue a career in electrical engineering.

Alexandra DaRoja was awarded a $2,500 Benjamin Knauss Memorial Scholarship. The NAHS senior, studying baking and pastry arts at BAVTS, plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., in the baking and pastry arts and food management programs.

Ruth Sharga was honored with a $3,500 Adam Fink Memorial Scholarship. The NAHS senior is a video media arts student who plans to further her education at NCC in the television and radio program. Sharga hopes to continue her cinematography education at a four-year college.

Dawson Silfies received a $1,000 Porsche Automotive Artisan Award and a $1,000 Bridges Foundation Artisan Award. The senior at NAHS is an automotive technology student at BAVTS. Silfies will continue his studies in the Ford asset program and has been accepted into Pennsylvania College of Technology’s School of Automotive Technology.

Mackenzie Strunk was awarded a $1,500 Elizabeth Thun Affiliate Scholarship and a $500 Bridges Foundation Scholarship. The NAHS senior is a member of the health careers program. She plans on attending Cedar Crest College to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Genna Wetzel was awarded a $3,500 Bridges Foundation Scholarship. A senior at NAHS, Wetzel studies graphic communications at BAVTS and looks to attend Antonelli Institute for graphic design.

Retiring Chairman Dale Kochard was presented with the 2017 Dale Kochard Leadership Award for his service with the Bridges Foundation since its inception in 1999. Kochard became chairman of the foundation when founder Walt Dealtrey died in 2002.