Seven locals to be lauded at banquet Sunday

The soccer scholar athlete banquet will take place Sunday, Jan. 30, at Fullerton Fire Co # 1, in Whitehall.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and events will start promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Mitchell Franko,

Jim Thorpe

Franko had one career goal and five career assists. He ranks 10th in a class of 128 with a 94.65 GPA.

He was a 2010 captain and has been playing soccer since five-years of age, and also played tennis for four years. Franko served on the Olympian Leadership Council and Canteen.

He was named Rotary Student of the Month and is a volunteer at the Jim Thorpe wrestling tournament.

Franko has played for the Jim Thorpe Youth Soccer Association for nine years and plans to attend the University of Maryland to major in chemistry.

Jason P. Addy, Lehighton

Addy scored eight goals and six assists this season, giving him 19 goals and 18 assists for his career. He ranks ninth in a class of 170 and has a GPA of 3.92.

He was named most improved player on his team in 2008 and was the 2009 and 2010 offensive player of the year for his team. He was a captain in 2009 and 2010, and was a four-year letter in soccer.

He's a member of FBLA, National Honor Society and Red Cross Club. He was a 2010 FBLA Regional first place winner in Accounting II.

Addy was a member of the Lehighton Soccer Club for a year as well as the Perguia Griffos Super Y Club for a year. He plans to attend Penn State and major in accounting.

Scott M. Bechtel,

No. Lehigh

Bechtel, for his career, finished with four assists and ranks eighth in a class of 177 with a 3.825 GPA.

His activities include: track, President of the Internet Club, president of his church youth group, sixth grade basketball coach and a member of the National Honor Society.

He played for FC Imensidade for a year.

Bechtel plans to attend a university and major in pharmacy.

Austin Marich,

Northwestern

Marich scored three goals and had 12 assists in 2010, giving him 5 career goals and 21 career assists for the Tigers as a four-year starter. He ranks 17th in a class of 187 and has a GPA of 3.833.

He was an all-league second team member in 2009 and was all-area honorable mention. In 2010, he was an all-league first teamer and the 2010 defensive MVP. He's a member of FBLA and National Honor Society.

His club team is currently ranked 28th in the country and was a 2010 NSCAA indoor national champion. He's also a 13-year member of the NYAA and FC Revolution. He plans to major in political science.

David Kenion, Palmertonn

Kenion finished with 10 career goals and four career assists. He ranks eighth in a class of 120 with a GPA of 3.91.

He has three varsity letters in soccer and is a member of student council. He was also a Bausch and Lomb science award winner. He was a member of the Towamensing travel teams and Beltzville League teams for 12 years.

Kenion plans to major in chemical engineering.

Richard A. Forte III,

Pleasant Valley

Forte scored 13 goals and added five assists giving him 30 goals and 14 assists for his career. He ranks 34th in a class of 514 with a GPA of 3.61.

He was named first team all-MVC in 2010 and was second team in 2009. He was a varsity letter winner from 2008-10 and a Golden Boot Award winner in 2009. He also was a member of track in 2010 and a freshman basketball team captain from 2007-08.

Extra activities include: track, Special Olympics, Relay for Life, math tutor, assistant intramural soccer coach, co-editor of the yearbook, member of FBLA and math league.

Forte was a West End Soccer League member for 10 years and a member of AC Perugia Premier League for four years.

He plans to study engineering at Penn State.

Christian Ormiston,

Weatherly

Ormiston ranks 21st in a class of 71 and has a GPA of 91.3. Due to an injury, he couldn't play in 2010.

He's a Varsity W Club member and lettered in soccer, basketball and baseball. He was a team captain in soccer.

His extra activities include: church lecture, yearbook, band, chorus and is a consistent honor roll student. He's a former Boy Scout and is a senior citizen volunteer.

He was a member of GHYSA for 13 years playing soccer.

Ormiston plans to attend Lock Haven and major in physical therapy.