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 Bethlehem Press area kids who were nominated:

Bethlehem Catholic

Justin Kanyuk

Kanyuk is a 6-6, 315-pound offensive tackle, who is in the top-5 percent of his class of 177, with a GPA of 3.93. He is an honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He earned second team all-conference honors in 2021, and was a first team selection in 2020. He is a member of the Key and hess clubs, and serves as a Hawk Ambassador. He is an altar server and volunteers with St. Luke’s Hospital, the Toy Drive, Thanksgiving Can Drive and Celtic Fest.

Freedom

Braelin I. Moore

Moore is a 6-3, 290-pound offensive tackle and defensive end who ranks 130 out of 455 students. He is an honor roll student and has a GPA of 3.91. He earned first team all-state defensive honors and first team all-conference offensive and defensive honors. He is active in his community.

Liberty Kyndred Sky Wright

Wright is a 5-7, 180-pound running back who ranks 28 out of 602 students. He is an honor roll student, National Honor Society member and carries a GPA of 4.48. He participates in varsity track and is a member of

the Student Athlete Council. He is an Upwards Basketball volunteer and serves as a GLVA Flag Football referee and coach.

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 was canceled due to COVID.