The 32nd annual Schuylkill County Female Scholar Athlete Banquet will be held on Sunday, May 1, at 3 p.m. at Pine View Acres in Pottsville.

The Times News area will have three representatives - Kelsey Van Horn of Panther Valley, Allison Amodea of Tamaqua and Maureen Kloap of Marian.Following are biographies on the three area scholar athletes:KELSEY VAN HORNPANTHER VALLEYKelsey Van Horn is the daughter of Rick and Nancy Van Horn. Kelsey is ranked second in a class of 90 students.Athletically, Van Horn has started on the varsity volleyball team for four years and was captain her senior year. She was chosen twice for the Schuylkill League Division 2 All-Star team, including a first-team selection this past season. She holds the Panther Valley school record for career assists (864) and service points (589). In addition, she finished her career with 367 kills, 33 blocks, 163 aces and 266 digs. Van Horn was also a one-year member of the track team, three-year basketball manager, and two-year baseball manager.Some of Van Horn's academic and extracurricular achievements include: being selected as a HOBY ambassador, two-year member and president of national honor society, class president for four years, student forum representative, student council, scholastic scrimmage, prom committee, recycling club, and homecoming court. Van Horn is also actively involved in the community as a volunteer for the Nesquehoning Junior Recreation Commission. She has volunteered for Toys for Tots, Special Olympics, nursing home visitor, elementary school fun day, and as a member of St. Francis Assisi church. Van Horn also works as a certified lifeguard and actively baby-sits."Kelsey was always there for players who needed help in any school subject. She was a major reason why my team was so successful," Panther Valley volleyball coach Nancy Filer said. "She is a very smart, young lady that will make the world a better place."Panther Valley Principal Joseph Gunnels added, "Kelsey exemplifies all that a student-athlete should be. Her excellence in the classroom has been the hallmark of her career while attending Panther Valley Junior/Senior High School. Her enthusiasm for learning and studying are rivaled only by her of enthusiasm for competing and winning on the volleyball court. Kelsey's strong leadership can best be described as quiet and assured. Her determination and hard work served as an inspiration for all of her teammates."Van Horn plans to attend Temple University to major in biology and take the physician assistant track.ALLISON AMODEATAMAQUAAllison Amodea is the daughter of Jason and Lydia Amodea of Nesquehoning.Amodea ranks fourth in her class of 183 with a 99.1 grade-point average. Her SAT scores include a 610 in reading, a 610 in math, and a 620 in writing. She has an ACT score of 33 in reading, a 29 in math, and 32 in composite. She has had advanced or proficient scores on her Keystone exams as well. She is currently enrolled in advanced placement courses in calculus and English with dual-enrollment in anatomy and physiology, public speaking, and introduction to business.Amodea has been a four-year member of the Blue Raider soccer team, earning four varsity letters and serving as team captain her senior season. Allison earned second-team All-Schuylkill League honors as a defender in her sophomore and senior seasons, and first team honors as a junior.Amodea is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in national honor studies in science, math, Spanish and English. She is senior class president and is a member of the Tamaqua Area Student Government Association, the world language cub, biology club, ski club, welcoming center committee, drug policy committee, the Blue and White Magazine, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and is the equipment manager for the varsity football team.Allison volunteers her time with the Meals on Wheels, peer tutoring, Supurban 5K planning committee, the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the St. Francis Assisi Shower of Roses Festival, Tamaqua youth soccer summer camp, and the American Cancer Society. She also works as a lifeguard within the community and with the Heritage Sign and Display as a marketing assistant."Allison was a four-year starter and natural born leader," said Tamaqua girls soccer coach Clem McCarroll. " She earned the respect of her teammates, coaches, and opponents by playing hard and smart every game. She was a true team player. A captain her senior year, she played the position of sweeper and was the last line of defense, saving countless goals in her four-year playing career. Besides being a great player, she was one of the kindest and most thoughtful student athletes to come through our program."Tamaqua High School Principal, Stephen Toth, added, "Allison is both a hard worker in the classroom and on the athletic field. She is a fierce competitor and enjoys the success as much as being a great teammate to her peers. She is a helpful and courteous young lady who is always willing to help others."Amodea's future plans are to attend either Villanova, Temple, or Penn State to major in Pre-Med.MAUREEN KLOAPMARIANMaureen Kloap, daughter of Phillip and Dolores Kloap. She resides in Jim Thorpe and is a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Jim Thorpe.Kloap ranks in the top two percent of her class, and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society, where she is the treasurer, as well as a three-year member of the Spanish Honor Society. She has taken all honors and advanced placement courses. Her schedule also includes classes where she is dual-enrolled with local colleges.Kloap is a four-year starter for the varsity volleyball team, and a three-year letter winner on the track team. She was an integral part of the Fillies' PIAA Class A State Championship team during her sophomore season. In addition, Kloap was part of three Schuylkill League championship teams and three District 11 Class A championship teams.During her junior and senior seasons, she was selected for the Class A All-State team, the District 11 Class A all-star first team, and the Schuylkill League all-star first team. Kloap was selected as the Times News Volleyball Player of the Year this past season.Kloap is also a student ambassador, a member of the Green Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and Stand for the Silent. She is a volunteer at Lehigh Valley Health Network, the Hunter Wolfe Golf Tournament benefiting Dream Come True, and is a participant in the Light the Night benefiting Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is also a Eucharistic minister at Marian."The first time I saw Maureen, I knew she was destined for greatness," said Marian volleyball coach John "Doc" Fallabel. "Always a smile, but behind it was one of the best athletes I have ever coached. Determination, tenacity, and toughness combined with an unbelievable work ethic."There were matches that she spent every last drop of energy from her body. A true athlete. Academically, she has also proven herself as an elite student. Wins and losses aside, I get my greatest satisfaction from the success that my players achieve away from the court. This honor is going to be one of many that I am sure she will receive."Marian Principal Sister Bernard Agnes added, "Maureen is not only an outstanding athlete, she is also an excellent student and a fine example of Christian leadership. She willingly gives her time and talent to help other athletes and students who are struggling."Kloap will attend either DeSales University or King's College to pursue a career as a physician assistant.