Each year the East Penn Press awards the Richard F. Gaal Memorial Scholarship to an Emmaus High School graduating senior who has displayed exemplary community commitment. This year’s recipient is Rachel Sherman.

Gaal, who spent most of his life in Emmaus, is best remembered for his accomplishments as a photographer. Employed first by the Free Press and from 1959 until his death in 1995 by the East Penn Press, Gaal volunteered for a wide range of community organizations: among them the Emmaus Halloween Committee, Emmaus Fire Company and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Similarly, Sherman has devoted time and energy to service organizations.

An avid softball player, she also prioritized scholastic achievement. Memberships in National Honor Society and Spanish Club were balanced by work as a Hornet Ambassador and membership in the school’s Gratitude Club.

Hornet Ambassadors work at events organized by the guidance department such as parents’ night. Members of the Gratitude Club participate in community outreach activities: visiting nursing homes, helping to create audio books, sponsoring food drives, etc.

Soon Sherman will join her older sister as a student at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania where she intends to pursue a degree in early childhood development. As well as continuing to play softball, Sherman expresses interest in joining the college athletic board and participating in student government.

To offset the cost of tuition, she will take part in the university’s work/study program.

The scope of her activities and her commitment to community service make Sherman a most deserving recipient of the Richard F. Gaal Memorial Scholarship.