The Summit Hill Historical Society presented Panther Valley graduate Jacob Szczecina and Marian graduate Kassandra Mantz, both of Summit Hill, with the Lee Mantz Memorial Scholarship this year for their active interest in local history and history in general.

The $100 award was presented to each graduate by Summit Hill Historical Society museum curator Maxine Vermillion as part of the 100th anniversary activities at Ludlow Park.Szczecina, who is the son of Jeff and Maria Szczecina of Summit Hill, will be attending College Misericordia, where he intends to study physical therapy."It was definitely an honor and very much a surprise," he said.Mantz is attending Mansfield University in the fall, and is planning to pursue a degree in mass communications, focusing on public relations with a minor in political science."It was a huge honor and surprise for me to be selected," Mantz said.She said she was surprised when her name was called at graduation exercises, as she did not expect to receive the award, named for her father."My dad was so involved in the society, and I grew up involved, so it is a great honor."Mantz is the daughter of Shalmar Herlihy-Mantz of Summit Hill and the late Lee Mantz, for whom the scholarship was established.The Lee Mantz Memorial Scholarship was established last year after Mantz, 44, who was killed in a fall at Lehigh Gorge State Park on Aug. 12, 2012. Mantz was president of the society.Two memorial scholarships in the amount of $100 are given each year, one to a Marian Catholic senior and one to a Panther Valley senior, who are residents of Summit Hill.The students must be in good standing with their schools and demonstrate an avid interest in history with a special interest in local history.Winners are determined by the history departments in their respective schools.Special consideration is given to any student with an interest in astronomy as a hobby.