The backyard garden was the comparison provided at Northampton Exchange Club’s Service to Youth program April 4, at which five Northampton Area High School seniors were lauded for their achievements in and outside the classroom.

During the ceremony, held at Northampton Banquet & Event Center, Dr. Rodger Berg, program chairman, used the analogy of starting a garden in the spring with seeds, culminating in the summer with tomatoes, string beans and more ready to be picked.

He stated the honorees Drew Filchner, Erica Belovich, Lauren Thomas, Hunter Wacik and Zachary Vilkauskas have grown from their childhood to rise with success at NAHS and with out-of-school activities.

The five seniors, who were named Students of the Month, were accorded the Lamp of Knowledge plaque and a certificate for their outstanding achievements.

Erica Belovich, April Girl of the Month, is part of National Honor Society, chorus, select ensemble (officer), Treble Makers, Show Stoppers, drama/theater (stage manager for shows) and Volunteer Club and provides guitar lessons.

Zachary Vilkauskas, April Boy of the Month, is part of Distributive Education Clubs of America, German Club and Envirothon Club, is an Eagle Scout and is active in church and community programs.

Lauren Thomas, March Girl of the Month, is part of National Honor Society, German Club (gold medal), Newspaper Club, Volunteer Club, Virtual Guild, Northampton Area Public Library Club and Laugh to Live, a therapy nonprofit organization. She is also a library aide.

Hunter Wacik, March Boy of the Month, is part of National Honor Society, Outdoor Club, Volunteer Club, Envirothon Club, varsity track and varsity football and is a 2017 EPC Scholar athlete, 2017 Eastern Pa. Officials Scholar athlete and 2017 National Football Foundation Scholar athlete. He received the 2017 Northampton Football Konkrete Kid award and 2017 Derkits Scholarship Award and is a volunteer at the William N. Nixon Veterans Day tribute and Northampton Area Food Bank.

Drew Filchner, January Girl of the Month, is part of National Honor Society, cheerleading, varsity basketball and track and field and is a peer tutor and volunteer cheer head coach.