Jess Finlayson taught eighth grade math at Northampton Middle School from August 2014 through October 2020. She also coached the Northampton girls high school volleyball team for seven seasons and the boys middle school team for five seasons.

Jess ran a youth camp every summer for elementary school kids because she wanted to expose younger players to the game and grow the sport in Northampton. She had a passion for volleyball, playing year-round in adult leagues throughout the Lehigh Valley and she really enjoyed coaching and teaching others the game she loved.

Jess was diagnosed with brain cancer in June 2018. She did not let her cancer slow her down, and for two years, she continued coaching the varsity girls volleyball team and teaching. She also achieved her Master’s degree while doing chemo and radiation and continued to take graduate courses through August 2020.

Jess passed away in January 2021, and her family established the Jess Finlayson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The purpose of the fund is to keep Jess Finlayson’s passion and spirit for volleyball alive by awarding senior volleyball players on both the Northampton girls and boys teams a monetary scholarship in her memory, each year for many years to come.

This year, the scholarships were awarded to: Lindsey Nemeth, Mya Cascario, Bradley Chetenka and Kody Whiteman.

Congratulations and best wishes to these seniors.

To contribute to the fund, please make checks out to “Jess Finlayson Memorial Scholarship Fund” and mail to the Northampton Area Business Office at 1619 Laubauch Ave, Northampton PA 18067.