Soccer players honored at scholar-athlete banquet

The Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar-Athlete awards banquet was held at the Northampton Memorial Community Center on Jan. 26.

There were 40 schools represented at the event, including Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Northern Lehigh, Northwestern, Pleasant Valley, Tamaqua and Weatherly from the Times News coverage area.

Gabrielle Oudin of Moravian Academy was named the top girls scholar athlete and Zachary Appel from Saucon Valley was the top boys scholar athlete.

Following are the biographies of the area scholar-athletes:

JIM THORPE

Kylee Dulski

Dulski played on both the left and right wing for the Olympians, scoring 44 goals and picking up 20 assists in just 20 career games. She was a team captain this season.

In addition to soccer, she is a member of the track and field team. She also participates in Future Business Leaders of America where she is the secretary.

At Jim Thorpe, she takes AP Courses and is part of a dual enrollment program with Lehigh Carbon Community College where she takes college courses.

Kylee is the daughter of Jeannie and Joseph Sallegna. She plans to attend Franklin and Marshall College and major in animal behavior.

Raymond O’Neill

O’Neill is a central defender who played in 53 career games for the Olympians. He was a team captain this past season and was also named Second Team All-League. He has two career goals and five career assists.

His high school activities include FBLA treasurer, Student Council secretary, National Honor Society treasurer, and Scholastic Scrimmage team. He is an AP Scholar award winner, and takes AP courses in European history, literature, calculus, and chemistry.

Raymond is the son of Kristin and Walter O’Neill and plans to attend a 4-year college or university and major in chemical engineering.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

Alexa Hartman

Hartman was a striker/midfielder for the Bulldogs, She was a captain this past season.

In addition to playing soccer, she is a competitive gymnast, and a competitive cheerleader.

Her school activities include SADD, Spanish Club, prom committee, and National Junior Honor Society.

She takes college courses in intro to psychology, human growth and development, and introduction to sociology.

Alexa is the daughter of Jessica Medei and plans to attend Kentucky University or Temple University and major in psychology and nursing.

LEHIGHTON

Katie Aaron

Aaron was a center defensive midfielder for the Indians, In 63 career games, she scored 14 goals and dished out 16 assists. She was a captain this past season and received named honorable mention All-League recognition.

In addition to soccer, Aaron was 4H ambassador, a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, a Student Council vice-president, and a member of the National Honor Society

She has received distinguished honors at Lehighton where she takes AP courses in calculus, psychology, biology. She also does course work at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Katie is the daughter of Mary and Bob Aaron. She plans to attend a 4 year college or university and major in environmental science

Alex Zeigenfuss

Ziegenfuss was a defender and a midfielder for the Indians, who played in 34 career games, compiling a pair of assists.

In addition to soccer, he participates in cross country and wrestling at Lehighton, receiving the team’s Sportsmanship Award.

Ziegenfuss is the class treasurer, a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, and the Student Council treasurer. He was an FBLA 1st Place winner at Regionals, was on the distinguished honor roll 20, and has taken over 20 honors courses during his four years of high school.

Alex is the son of Karen and Paul Zeigenfuss. He plans to attend Penn State Main Campus and major in business and engineering.

TAMAQUA

Rebekah Hromyak

Hromyak is a midfielder who played in 80 career games for the Blue Raiders, scoring eight goals and handing out seven assists.

In addition to soccer, Hromyak is a member of the Tamaqua girls basketball team. She also participates in Raiders Step Up, National Honors Society, English National Honors Society, Spanish National Honors Society, Math National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society, Biology Club, Student Government, Science Olympiad, and HOBY Leadership Conference. She is a Widener Leadership Award winner and takes AP courses in English and composition, statistics, calculus, biology and Spanish, She also has dual enrollment classes in college English, anatomy and physiology, and calculus.

Rebekah is the daughter of Paula and Mike Hromyak. She plans to attend a 4 year college or university and major in biology.

Nathaniel Noftz

A forward and goalkeeper for the Blue Raiders, Noftz played in 67 career games, scoring 29 goals and picking up 15 assists. He also made 80 career saves in goal and had a save percentage of 0.800. He was an All-County selection at forward in both 2018 and 2019.

In addition to soccer, Noftz’s activities include Tamaqua Band President, Drama Club President, Chorus President, church volunteer, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, English National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. He takes AP courses in European history, English, language and composition, calculus, chemistry and college English.

Nathaniel is the son of Rosemarie and Edward Noftz. He plans to attend a 4 year college or university and major in chemistry.

NORTHWESTERN

Hallie Marie Bleam

Bleam, a midfielder, played in 93 career games for the Tigers, scoring six goals and picking up 29 assists. She was a team captain this past season.

Her activities at Northwestern include, National Honor Society President, Science National Honor Society, Key Club, Maker Club, and FLICK Club.

Bleam is on the High Honor Roll and takes AP courses in calculus, economics, English, statistics, college language and literature.

Hallie is the daughter of Kelly and Chris Bleam. She plans to attend Villanova University and major in biochemistry/pre-pharmacy.

Michael Rebert

Rebert, a center defender, played in 72 career games for Tigers, scoring one goal and picking up nine assists. A three-year member of the varsity, he was a Second Team All League selection in 2018.

Rebert’s activities at Northwestern include, TOP Soccer Volunteer, Key Club, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. He takes AP courses in calculus, economics, and English. Michael is the son of Debbie and Mike Rebert. he plans to attend Villanova, Drexel, Temple or Penn College of Technology and major in civil engineering

PLEASANT VALLEY

Addison E. Borger

Borger was a midfielder/defender for the Bears. In 62 career games, she scored one goal and had two assists.

Her activities at Pleasant Valley include, vice-president of the Chess Club, Future Business Leaders of America, West End Food Pantry, National Spanish Honor Society, and National Math Honor Society. She takes AP courses in biology, English, calculus, algebra, physics, and chemistry.

Addison is the daughter of Victoria and Chris Borger. She plans to attend a college or university and major in chemical engineering

Canyon Marks

Marks was a defensive midfielder for the Bears. He is a two-year varsity letterwinner and was a team captain this past season.

In addition to soccer, Marks is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Parliamentarian, and Boy Scouts of America. He takes AP courses in biology.

Canyon is the son of Karen and Chris Marks. He plans to attend Penn State University and Major in bio technology.

WEATHERLY

Taylor A. Cichon

Cichon is a defender/sweeper for the Wreckers, who played in 36 career games.

During her time at Weatherly, she has earned varsity letters in soccer and volleyball. She is also participates in the National Honor Society, where she is the secretary, SGA,yearbook and INTER-ACT. She is a class officer and Sunday School teacher. She was on the honor roll all four years in high school

Taylor is the daughter of Tracey and David Zellers. She plans to attend Lehigh County Community College and then transfer to Bloomsburg University or Mansfield University and major in nursing

Nicholas J. Pleban

Pleban is a defender, who played in 72 career games for the Wreckers, scoring two goals and dishing out four assists. He was a 2019 First Team All League selection and a 2018 Second Team All League selection. Pleban is also a volunteer firefighter at Weatherly Citizens Fire Company. He takes AP courses in US history.

Nicholas is the son of Stacey and Jeff Pleban. He plans to attend a 4 year college or university and major in wildfire management.