Recently, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Lehigh Valley Scholar-Athlete Dinner took place, and for the first time there was a big and small school winner announced.

The event took place back on Sunday, March 6, in Northampton.

The Albert Beneck Memorial Scholarships were given to East Stroudsburg South’s Bobby McClosky as the big school winner, with Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Collin Quintano named the small-school winner.

Salisbury’s Ben Krauss was the winner of the Edward J. Watto Community Service Award.

There was also a first-time award given to the area’s outstanding lineman in memory of Northampton’s Mike “Guut” Gurdineer, the Kids football coach who passed away due to COVID. Freedom’s Braelin Moore was named the winner.

Below are the submitted bios for area kids who were nominated:

Catasauqua High

School – Stewart Alexander J. Oakley

A 6-1, 289-pound guard and defensive tackle, he ranks 30 out of 127 students. He is an honor roll student with a GPA of 3.07. He participates in varsity wrestling and track. He is president of the Digital Media Club and is a member of the Varsity ‘C’ Club. He is active in his community.

Northampton Area

High School –

Caden John Reph

A 6-2, 230-pound tight end, he ranks 69 out of 475 students. He is an honor roll student, National Honor Society member, and carries a 4.05 GPA. He earned First Team All-EPC Conference defensive honors. He participates in varsity baseball. He is active in his community.

Whitehall High

School –

Bryce Bashore

A 5-10, 175-pound wide receiver and safety, he ranks 45 out of 406 students. He is an honor roll student, National Honor Society member, and Curricular Honor Society member, with a GPA of 4.2. He earned All-EPC Conference First Team defensive honors. He participates in varsity baseball and basketball. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is an EPC Student Athlete Character Representative. He volunteers as a Whitehall youth baseball counselor.

Keith Neward and Jimmy Wentz were also honored. They are former members of the Lehigh Valley Chapter board who passed away since the last banquet took place in 2019. Last year’s banquet did not take place due to COVID.