The Lehigh Valley chapter of Travelers Protective Association of America Post L held its annual Altruism Award banquet event April 14 at Northampton Banquet and Event Center, 1601 Laubach Ave.

The fraternal benefit society honored select students from 15 local high schools to receive the award for their kind, courageous and giving personalities.

The TPA Post L was established in 1882 and originally benefited traveling salesmen across America. Over time, the society extended its membership to all persons who qualified as preferred risks and began to implement community outreach programs, such as the famous Child Accident Prevention Week, seen across the nation’s emergency responder units.

The society has also organized scholarships that would aim to assist the members in need, such as the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Scholarship Fund. Established in 1975, the fund intended to serve those who had a hearing deficiency but lacked proper resources. Today, the fund has gone on to assist thousands of members gain access to the hearing devices and specialized treatment they lacked.

During the banquet, Patricia Palencar, TPA secretary of the Lehigh Valley chapter, explained the students receiving the Altruism Award would be given a certificate and a $100 check from President Donald D. Schwartz. The funding for the prizes are from TPA’s general fund.

The students also received a small speech from their nominator explaining what led to their nomination.

Lennon M. Dreisbach, of Whitehall High School, was nominated to receive the Altruism Award. Her name was entered by Principal Nathan Davidson and the counseling office for her work with the school’s life skills classroom, where she would often spend her spare time during the school day.

Dreisbach was described as a unique and kindhearted individual who is very loved by those around her. She participates in a number of activities and plays varsity softball as the pitcher. After she graduates, she plans on attending East Stroudsburg University with a desire to transfer to Ohio State University. She intends to major in biology or psychology on the pre-med track.

Elizabeth Sayegh, of Allentown Central Catholic High School, was also nominated for the Altruism Award by the director of college admissions, Matthew Garza. During his speech, he described her as tremendously self-motivated and always willing to take on new challenges.

Sayegh participates in a variety of clubs, including the Prep and Best Friends Forever clubs, where she serves as president of both groups. She is a varsity cheerleader and is a part of the National Honor Society. Sayegh always makes time to serve others, as she is a Viking ambassador, which is a mentor for all underclassmen, and she is also a part of the Red Cross Club.

After she graduates, she plans on going to Towson Maryland University, where she will study to become an occupational therapist.

The students honored at the banquet reminded the room that simple acts of kindness touch the hearts of many and create impactful and inspiring change within the community.

The room was humbled by the courageous acts performed by high school students, and many left feeling honored to know that strong, genuine characters would go on to be the next societal generation to build and create a better tomorrow.