For the past seven years, a grieving mom has worked hard to memorialize the life of her young son who died in a car accident on Jan. 27, 2003.

Sherry Meckes of Penn Forest knew how much her son loved to play soccer, so she initiated the Hunter Meckes Memorial Soccer Tournament in his name to establish a scholarship that would be presented to deserving seniors at Jim Thorpe Area High School and Lehighton Area High School at their awards assembly.This year's event was held Sunday with 38 teams playing in beautiful sunny weather, making this year's tournament an event to remember. Several hundred youths ages 7 through high school age enjoyed a great afternoon of soccer.The game is always played in April which is the month that Hunter celebrated his birthday. Hunter would have turned 17 on April 16."I wonder about the person Hunter would have become," she said. "I wonder if he would have the same personality as one of my other sons."Her three sons have grown up hearing about their brother, Hunter. Shane is now 14. Dawson, who is 8, and Hayden, who is 7, were both born after Hunter's death."I struggle to do this event every year," she said. "It brings back so many memories. I get a lot of support from friends and sponsors. Without their support behind me, I couldn't do it."Meckes coordinates the event with the Lehighton Area Soccer Club.At Jim Thorpe, both a male and a female who are good students and soccer players will receive scholarships; while at Lehighton, a soccer player and a wrestler will be selected. Hunter was also a wrestler, so that is why Meckes also presents an award to a young wrestler every year in his name.Meckes personally attends awards programs to present the scholarships to deserving students.Soccer players came from the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia area and Monroe, Carbon and Schuylkill counties to participate in the tournament. There were high school teams from Lehighton, Tamaqua and Jim Thorpe, plus Carbon United teams playing at the event.Throughout the past six years, Meckes believes that the soccer events have raised approximately $50,000 toward the scholarship fund, which does not include the funds raised this year. This year's event is estimated to have raised approximately $10,000 more.D.J. Larry was spinning tunes Sunday and refreshments were offered by Jim Thorpe Area High School Girls and Boys Booster Club, Carbon United Soccer Club and American Kettle Corn. Proceeds from a basket event will benefit the Jim Thorpe Wrestling Booster Club. Also Printing 4-U offered Hunter Meckes T-shirts and hoodies.