The Lehigh Valley chapter of Travelers Protective Association of America Post L held its annual Altruism Award ceremony April 13 at Northampton Banquet and Event Center, 1601 Laubach Ave.

The fraternal benefit society honored select students from 14 local high schools. The students received a monetary award for their embodiment and moral practice of altruism.

Guest speaker Tony Iannelli gave a motivational opening speech. Iannelli is the president and CEO of Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and hosts the Business Matters segment on WFMZ 69 News. He shared his rise to success, which started when his father lost the family business that Iannelli planned on taking over. He brought warm and genuine advice for the students before moving on to the award portion of the evening.

Patricia Palencar, TPA secretary of the Lehigh Valley chapter, explained the award, in the amount of $100, would be presented to each student by TPA Post L Lehigh Valley President Donald D. Schwartz following a short speech from the student’s nominator.

Olivia Burnett, a Catasauqua High School, was a recipient of the 2023 Altruism Award.

She was nominated by her school counselor, Stephanie Covelle, for her exceptional leadership and academic success.

Burnett serves as the president of Student Council, is secretary of the Varsity C Club and is the historian of both the National Honor Society and the Class of 2023.

When she is not with the volleyball and track and field teams, she is writing or planning with the Journalism Club. Burnett goes above and beyond and radiates “a true warmth,” according to Covelle.

Burnett will be continuing her education at Penn State, University Park campus, this fall, but her major is undecided at this time.

Much like Burnett, all of the Altruism Award nominees amplified the expectations of current youths with their superb rapport with faculty, staff and peers. Following the ceremony, the room was booming with applause yet humbly quiet as young students’ triumphant and heartfelt stories were shared.

It was agreed these students would go on to be successful and innovative members of society. The attendees left the ceremony feeling proud and hopeful for all of the students’ futures.

The TPA Post L was established in 1882 and initially benefited traveling salesmen across America but has extended memberships to those who are considered preferred risks. The organization has since helped society in various ways, such as the implementation of painting white lines on roadways, the promotion of the Absent Voter Act of 1916 with the Absentee Ballot System and more.