The Lehigh Valley Road Runners offer four separate scholarships to eligible students planning to continue their education at the college level after graduating from high school. This year’s scholarships were presented at the July 10 LVRR Summer Series 5k, held in the Lehigh Parkway.
Over the years, LVRR has awarded over $200,000 in Scholarships. 2019 was a record-setting year as we received over 25 applicants for the 4 scholarships. These students have set the bar and are surely making our job difficult to only choose 6 recipients. We actually had a tie for the female LVRR Scholarship this year, so the Committee voted to award 3 Scholarships!
The LVRR Scholarship is available to two young man and two young women for $4000 each. 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 local community.
Recipients of the 2019 LVRR Scholarship are:
- Abigail Heilenman – Emmaus High School attending Penn State University, Main (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
- Amanda LaVana – Emmaus High School attending Shippensburg University (Early Childhood Education/Special Education)
- Madison Martinez – Palmerton Area High School attending Ithaca College (Exercise Science, Pre-Medical concentration)
- Jacob Martinez – Palmerton Area High School attending Lehigh University (Undeclared in the College of Arts & Science)
- Riley Williamson – Parkland High School attending Lehigh University (Civil Engineering)
Lehigh Valley Road Runners established the Tom Illick Memorial Scholarship as of January 2013 equaling $2000 for a senior high school child or college undergraduate whose parents are LVRR members in good standing for 3 consecutive years or more. This award is a continuation of the club’s commitment to our members and its young adults to lead healthy, productive and disciplined lifestyles. We want to continue to encourage their academic and community involvement as they pursue their college goals. In 2018, after the passing of long-time club member Tom Illick, this scholarship was renamed in his honor.
Recipient of the 2019 Tom Illick Memorial Scholarship is Brendan Christ – Allentown Central Catholic attending Penn State University, Harrisburg (Civil Engineering)
The Ed Thompson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an eligible Emmaus High School male senior. 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 (ERR). The ERR later merged with the Lehigh Valley Athletic Association to become the Lehigh Valley Road Runners. 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 as a tribute to Ed.
Recipient of the 2019 Ed Thompson Memorial Scholarship is Jacob Brown – Emmaus High School attending Northwestern University (Mechanical Engineering)
The Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an eligible Emmaus High School (EHS) female senior. Nicole Reinhart, a 1994 EHS graduate, was killed in a cycling race in September 2000. In High School, Nicole was a 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 Nicole Reinhart Memorial. The proceeds of the yearly April Emmaus 4 Mile Classic are the primary fundraising source for both the Ed Thompson and Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarships. There were no applicants in 2019 for the Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship.
WFMZ also covered the 5k race and Scholarship presentation. View news story HERE
Our scholarship recipients are pictured in image at top. From left to right: Madison Martinez, Abby Heilenman, Jacob Brown, Jacob Martinez, Riley Williamson, Brendan Christ. Amanda LaVana is pictured below.
Please visit our News page in the coming weeks for Q&A interviews with our scholarship recipients.