Seven Northampton Area High School alumni were publicly recognized as this year’s 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees at a Sept. 25 celebration sponsored by Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation.

The honorees are Thomas C. Becker, Ph.D., Class of 1981; Larry A. Kemmerer, Class of 1965; Stephen J. Kerbacher, Class of 1983; Edward R. Novogratz (deceased), Class of 1949; Thomas D. Reenock, Class of 1958; Peter P. Schneider Jr., Class of 1966; and Timothy Tepes, Class of 1986.

In 2018, the foundation, in partnership with Northampton Area School District, established the Distinguished Alumni Award to help increase the awareness of NAHS students, graduates and community members of the outstanding graduates and role models produced by the district.

The foundation’s goal was to establish the Distinguished Alumni Award Wall of Honor, which now exists in the main lobby at NAHS. For each of the 22 honorees already selected since 2018, a plaque has been installed on the wall. The plaques include the professional achievements, as well as each honoree’s individual commitment to community service and volunteerism, a recent photo and a graduation photo. The plaques of this year’s honorees will be installed on the wall later this fall and, like the other plaques already on the wall, will serve as an inspiration to all students and as a source of pride for the entire community of NASD’s proud education tradition and commitment to serve others.

The celebration, held at Woodstone Country Club and Lodge, Danielsville, was attended by family, friends and colleagues of the honorees, as well as community members and local business leaders. The highlight of the recognition program that followed dinner was the plaque presentation, when each honoree had the opportunity to address the audience and recall a few of their memories of experiences they had as students in NASD that influenced their post-high school graduation lives. The recollection of specific teachers, classes and experiences was particularly noteworthy and entertaining, it was agreed.

During the recognition program, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kovalchik focused his remarks on challenges and achievements of the district, as well as the cooperation and support of the foundation in providing additional educational opportunities for students throughout NASD.

The success of the celebration as a fundraiser is credited to the support of all those who attend the event, as well as the Generous Foundation Benefactor sponsorship of Bruce Lack; the Distinguished Alumni Award sponsorship of St. Luke’s University Health Network, Mortgage America and Joe Novogratz; the Black and Orange sponsorship of Dun-Rite Electrical Services Inc.; the Konkrete sponsors Blue Valley Builders Inc., Dr. Linda Koch, Kocher’s Water Pumps and Tanks Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Larry Oberly and Schisler Funeral Homes; and the K-Kids sponsors Dr. Thomas Becker, Pierce & Steirer LLC, Shulman Law Office PC and Smiley’s Lawn Care Landscaping Inc.

In addition to these sponsors, the foundation acknowledges the generosity of the following individuals and businesses for their gift certificates, monetary donations and services: Foster Jewelers, Blue Ridge Real Estate Company, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bretzik, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Daniels and family, Barbara Demchyk, the Rev. Clark and Maureen Kuntz, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Nagy, Jack Pavis, Scheurermann Excavating Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Sodl, AfFORDable Pet Care, Fella Studios/Marty Fella, Karen Olson Holmes, Miller Supply Ace Hardware, Emanuel and Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito, Kristen Pittman, Barbara Silfies, Neffs National Bank, Northampton Self-Serve Car Wash, Becky’s Drive-In, Mr. and Mrs. William Falstich and Konkrete Creamery.

Nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award are due by March 24, 2023. Nomination information/forms are available at konkretefoundation.org or by calling 610-767-7824.

The 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award celebration will be held Sept. 17, 2023.