The 33rd Annual Female Scholar-Athlete Banquet will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at Pine View Acres in Pottsville. The event is sponsored by the Schuylkill County Women's Athletic Association.

The Marie Murphy Award Winner is Dr. Bernadette Machamer. The guest speaker is Sarah Yoder, principal at Schuylkill Haven Area High School.For additional information, contact Bill Moran at 570-617-8063.Abigail Brickler, TamaquaAbigail Brickler is the daughter of Matt and Sue Brickler of Andreas, and is Tamaqua Area School District's 2016-17 Female Scholar-Athlete.Abigail ranks first in her class of 154 with a 100.43 grade-point average, and SAT scores of 680 Verbal, 620 Math and 630 Writing. She has had advanced scores on all of her Keystone exams. She is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement courses in Spanish 4, Physics, Calculus, Biology, English Language, European History and College English. She has had the highest honors in all four years of high school.Abigail is a four-year varsity letter winner in swimming, and a one-year letter winner in softball. She was a member of the 2014 Schuylkill League champion swim team, and District 11 Class 2A runner-up. Abby was a 2016 league champion in the 50 butterfly. She earned league silver medals in 2015 as a member of the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams. These two relay teams also took District 11 bronze medals. Abby also took silver in 2016 as a member of the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay teams. The 2016 medley relay team also took a District 11 silver.Abigail is a member of the following National Honor Societies: Science, Spanish, Math, English, Tri-M Music and National Honor Society. She is a member of the Tamaqua Area Student Government Association, senior class secretary, World Language Club, Biography Club (president), Physics Club, the school newspaper - the Blue and White Magazine, the Tamaqua Raider Concert, Marching, Jazz and Pit bands. She is the marching band section leader and the band's librarian. She was selected to the Schuylkill County band twice.Abigail is also a member of the Science Olympiad team and the Biology Olympics team. She was also selected as Student of the Month, chosen for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Conference, the Junior National Young Leaders Conference and People to People Ambassador to Australia.Abigail volunteers her time with the Thelma Urban Memorial Run, as a Tamaqua Memorial Day Parade volunteer, Safe Trick or Treat and Mini Thon volunteer, Tamaqua Blue Waves Swim Coach, Multiple Sclerosis Walk participant and volunteer, and as a Language Arts and Math tutor.Tamaqua High School principal Tom McCabe said, "In my 15 years of education, I have only witnessed a handful of students who work as hard as Abby Brickler. During her high school career, Abby has taken and excelled in every Honors and Advanced Placement course we have to offer. Since the first day of her freshman year, she has aspired to become the class valedictorian. She is extremely close to achieving her goal. Abby was able to obtain these academic accomplishments while involved with a number of extracurricular activities at Tamaqua Area High School. I can't think of a more deserving student. She has earned every accolade that she will receive her senior year."Tamaqua guidance counselor Frank Dickman said, "Abby is an exceptional young lady, possibly the most intelligent and hardworking young woman I have had the pleasure of advising over the last 20 years. She has a bright future, and I have no doubt in her ability to succeed in her chosen field."She has received college acceptances from Susquehanna University and Binghamton University, and plans to major in chemistry and environmental science.Jenna O'Donnell, Marian CatholicJenna O'Donnell, daughter of Patrick and Kathleen O'Donnell, is a senior at Marian Catholic High School. She is a four-year member of both the volleyball team and track and field team. This past fall, Jenna served as co-captain of the Marian volleyball team, Her leadership helped her team become Schuylkill League and District 11 Class 1A volleyball champions, as well as the state runner-up team. Jenna is competing in the long jump, triple jump and sprint events for the Marian track and field team.In addition to athletics, Jenna is an active member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish National Honor Society and the Green Team. She diligently serves as a peer listener, and a Eucharistic minister and student ambassador at Marian. She has participated in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, and is an active member of the Hazleton Can Do committee.Marian Principal Jean Susko, said, "Without a doubt, Jenna is one of the best-of-the-best in academics and athletics. Her work ethic, determination, and dedication are both evident in the classroom, as well as on the volleyball court and on the track and field. I wish Jenna well on all her future endeavors."This fall, Jenna plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy at either Duquesne University or the University of Scranton. She was partly inspired by her own experience with physical therapy after receiving sport-related injuries.As she reflects on her high school athletic experience, she is grateful for her support system. "I want to thank my parents and my sister, Briana, for being my biggest fans and always supporting me. Being a student athlete helps you to become a well-rounded person, and to balance your time. It teaches you the value of teamwork and how to work toward a common goal."Samantha Valderrama, Panther ValleySamantha Valderrama, daughter of Steven and Deborah Valderrama, is the Panther Valley Area School District 2016-17 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Samantha is ranked fourth in a class of 71. Some of her academic and extracurricular achievements include being a part of Prom Committee, Recycling Club, Student Leadership, Future Business Leaders of America, Aevidum, and she is also currently Secretary of National Honor Society. She consistently makes Distinguished Honors, and has volunteered time toward local food banks, Toys for Tots and Elementary School Fun Day.Athletically, Samantha has been a part of the Panther Valley softball program for four years, and a member of the varsity team for three years. She has played a variety of positions on the field, and strives to do well in each one. She would also like to thank her teammates and coaches for making the team a second family to her.Panther Valley Principal Joe Gunnels said, "Samantha Valderrama exemplifies all that a student-athlete should be. Her excellence in the classroom has been the hallmark of her career while attending Panther Valley. Samantha enjoys the challenges and rigors of the classroom as much as she enjoys challenges and rigors encountered on the softball field. Her enthusiasm for learning and studying are rivaled only by her enthusiasm for competing and winning on the softball field. Samantha's leadership can be best described as quiet, humble and confident. She is a leader who leads by example. Her spirit and positive attitude are evident each time she took the softball field. Her determination and hard work served as an inspiration for all of her teammates. Samantha's 'never-quit' attitude helped support team chemistry and camaraderie. She is the consummate team player that is never hesitant to put others before herself and the needs of the team above all else."Softball coach Candace Olson said, "Samantha has been a tremendous asset to our team. She leads her teammates through the good times and through the bad times. She is always there to boost their confidence, and is always a team player. She is one of those student-athletes who is always smiling and happy to get to play wherever and whenever. She is a utility player, and a coach's dream; she comes to games and practices and gives 110 percent everyday and never complains. Samantha has truly been a pleasure to have as a member of my team, and she is a phenomenal student-athlete."She plans to attend either East Stroudsburg University or the University of Pittsburgh for a degree in psychology, with the intent of aiding people with mental illness.