Determined. Dependable. Driven.

Above all else, this particular batch of Palmerton Area High School students appear ready to conquer any obstacle that comes before them.Sponsored by the Palmerton Exchange Club, a dozen PAHS students were honored at the Class of 2011 Top Ten Percent Dinner held recently at the Aquashicola Fire Company.Thaddeus Kosciolek, junior high school principal, thanked the Exchange Club, and wished the students the best of luck in their future endeavors.Kathy Egan, high school principal, told the students she has no doubt they will go on to lead productive lives."We have quite an eclectic group of careers," Egan said. "I know you will be successful."Carol Boyce, superintendent of Palmerton Area School District, said the support shown by the four municipalities that comprise the district - Palmerton, Bowmanstown, Lower Towamensing Township, Towamensing Township - is outstanding."If there's one thing that I've learned, it's how generous this community is for their young people," Boyce said. "It's been said it takes a village; in this case, it takes two boroughs and two townships."Anna Strohl, president of the Exchange Club, said a scholarship would be given out to one student that meets the Exchange Club's criteria to further their education, a check was given out to a Carbon Career and Technical Institute student from the district, and an eighth grade Student of the Year received a plaque and certificate.The students who made up this year's PAHS Top Ten Percent are Blake Campbell, Samantha K. Smith, Jordan Ruzicka, Andrew McReynolds, Jillian Farkas, David Kenion, Amber Hettler, Kristen Romano, Derek Szena, Jarett Kleintop, Elizabeth Hahn, and Joseph Tyahla.Campbell will attend Emerson College, where he will major in Writing, Literature & Publishing. He is the son of Blake and Christine Campbell.Smith will attend Gettysburg College, where she will major in Philosophy/Religion. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Kimberly Smith.Ruzicka will attend Roger Williams University, where she will major in Architecture. She is the daughter of Robert and Debra Ruzicka.McReynolds, who was unable to attend, will attend Drexel University, where he will major in Engineering. He is the son of Lynn McReynolds and Doug Miller.Farkas will attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where she will major in Aeronautical Engineering. She is the daughter of Joe and Jane Farkas.Kenion will attend Penn State University, where he plans to major in Chemical Engineering. He is the son of Barbara Davis.Hettler will attend Lebanon Valley College, where she will major in Physical Therapy. She is the daughter of Bruce and Sharon Hettler.Romano will attend Lock Haven University, where she will look to become a Physician Assistant. She is the daughter of William and Kathy Romano.Szena will attend DeSales University, where he will major in Computer Science/Digital Art. He is the son of Donald and Marla Szena.Kleintop will attend the United States Naval Academy, where he will major in Chemical Engineering. He is the son of Gary and Nadine Kleintop.Hahn will attend Delaware Valley College, where she will major in Pre-Veterinary. She is the daughter of Keith and Jean Hahn.Tyahla will attend Lehigh Carbon Community College Honors Program, where he will major in Engineering. He is the son of Paul and Brenda Tyahla.Nicole Henry was recognized as the Carbon County Technical Institute's Student of the Year.Henry will attend Lehigh Carbon Community College, where she will major in Engineering. She is the daughter of Leon and Donna Henry.Lauren Campbell was recognized as the Palmerton Area Junior High School 8th grade Student of the Year.Campbell is involved in National Junior Honor Society, Yearbook, gifted, newspaper, Math counts, Ace Team, Tech wizards, softball, field hockey and youth group. She is the daughter of Blake and Christine Campbell.