Scholarships
Lehigh Valley Road Runners offer two separate scholarships to eligible students planning to continue their education at the college level after graduating from high school:
Ed Thompson/Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship
LVRR Scholarship
Ed Thompson / Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarships
Ed Thompson graduated in 1973 and initially went into the Marine Corps after High School. When he was discharged from the service, he joined the local road running club, the Emmaus Road Runners. The ERR later merged with the Lehigh Valley Athletic Association to become the Lehigh Valley Road Runners, or LVRR. Unfortunately, Ed developed a very aggressive form of brain cancer and died May, 23rd, 1983 at the age of 27. The Emmaus Road Runners initially started the scholarship in the mid-1980′s (again I’m not sure of the exact date) as a tribute to Ed. The scholarship was a single $500 award given to an Emmaus HS senior, male or female, that excelled in both Track & Field and Cross Country. In 1998 a second $500 award was added, with one given to the top male and 1 to the top female. That award was increased to two $800 awards in 2001, and to two $1000 awards in 2003. 2009 was the first year of two $2000 scholarships.
Nicole Reinhart, a 1994 EHS graduate, was killed in a cycling race in September, 2000. In High School, Nicole was a High School standout Cross Country and Track runner as well as a National Marine Corps Youth Physical Fitness Champion. That next Spring(2001), the LVRR Board added the name Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship to the female award, while the Ed Thompson was the top EHS male award. These started at the $800 level and increased the next year to two $1000 awards.
We have been giving both scholarships with the proceeds of the yearly April Emmaus 4 Miler being the primary fundraising source. In 2011, the race attracted 305 finishers (405 Pre-registered) and was helped greatly by our 41 Sponsors who gave food and drink donations: various gift certificates; and cash donations.
Click here for to download the Ed Thompson/Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship Application.
Sponsorship Letter & form
2011 Ed Thompson Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Patrick Mctish – Patrick will be attending Villanova University and majoring in Civil Engineering.
2011 Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Amanda Thoet – Amanda will be attending Ohio Wesleyan University Honors college, College of Arts and Science.
Past Recipients
| Ed Thompson Memorial Scholarship | Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship | ||
| 2010 | Paolo Aranoff ($2000) | Amanda & Brianna Faust ($2000 each) | |
| 2009 | Chris Macomb ($2000) | Lindsey Graybill ($2000) | |
| 2008 | Brendan Messler ($1000) | Lauren Apgar ($1000) | |
| 2007 | Matthew Simkins ($1000) | Elizabeth Luff ($1000) | |
| 2006 | Steven Coakley ($1000) | Suzanne Miller ($1000) | |
| 2005 | Samuel Luff ($1000) | Kathryn Higgins ($1000) | |
| 2004 | Nicholas Parton ($1000) | Allyson Parker ($1000) | |
| 2003 | John “Jack” Higgins ($1000) | Heather Hoffmann ($1000) | |
| 2002 | Joel Thompson ($1000) | none given | |
| 2001 | Matthew Miller ($800) | Alyssa Simon ($800) | |
| 2000 | Steve Moyer & Jaime Marks ($500 each) | ||
| 1999 | Jen Weber & Sarah Stauffer ($500 each) | ||
| 1998 | None given | ||
| 1997 | Rachel Love ($500) | ||
| 1996 | None given | ||
| 1995 | Adam Portz ($500) | ||
| 1994 | Rachel Melliar-Smith ($500) | ||
| 1993 | None given | ||
| 1992 | Jennifer Schaninger ($500) | ||
Lehigh Valley Road Runners Annual Scholarship
Available to two young men and two young women for $4000 each. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
The Scholarship Fund was established to assist local high school graduates with college expenses and is funded by LVRR races and through fund raising efforts of the club. This is one way the club gives back to the community.
Its purpose is to foster interest in the sport we love, and to demonstrate our commitment to youth running. By supporting young people who have demonstrated academic and athletic excellence, community involvement, and a strong interest in running, we are encouraging healthy, productive and disciplined lifestyles in these young adults who will be the leaders of the future.
Applicant eligibility and selection requirements are as follows. Applicant must be PA resident for the past two years, a graduating high school senior from either Lehigh or Northampton counties, a member of their high school cross country or track team and must compete as an individual in running events. They must have a minimum 2.5 GPA as certified by their guidance counselor and be accepted at a 2 or 4 year college. Also the scholarships are based on extracurricular activities and community involvement including LVRR events. Two letters of recommendations are required, one from their cross country or track coach and the other from an individual not related to them, such as a teacher, employer, etc. An essay of about 250 words on how running has influenced their life and what the sport has meant to them personally.
Also, an acknowledgement signed by a parent or legal guardian that collegiate athletic association regulations may prohibit the applicant from accepting the scholarship if they are attending college on an athletic scholarship.
Click here for to download the LVRR Annual Scholarship Application.
2011 Lehigh Valley Road Runners Scholarship Recipients
Kathleen Anthony – Parkland High School
Kathleen will be attending University of Notre Dame, majoring in Biochemistry/Pre-Med.
Jessica Cygan – Liberty High School
Jessica will be attending William and Mary, majoring in kinesiology.
Dan Fitzpatrick – Allentown Central Catholic High School
Dan will be attending Harvard University and his major is undecided.
Matt Kacyon – Whitehall High School
Matt will be attending Temple University, majoring in Film and Interactive Media.
Kathleen Anthony and Jessica Cygan
Dan Fitzpatrick and Matt Kacyon
