Each year the Concourse Club of Palmerton honors five Guiding Stars from the Palmerton Area High School. The Guiding Stars are chosen by the high school guidance staff.

A Guiding Star must be a female student in the top 25% of the senior class, display leadership qualities in school activities, and participate in community programs. Each Guiding Star receives a certificate, an engraved Guiding Star charm, and a $100 cash award.

Erica Ashley Messics was recognized as the March Guiding Star at the March 5 Concourse Club meeting at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Erica is the granddaughter of Jennie Messics.

Erica’s guests were her grandmother and January Guiding Star, Grace Costenbader. Erica honored her gram, Jennie Messics, by recognizing her as her guiding star for her gift of time, academic foundation and unconditional love.

Erica’s hobbies are staying active, gaming and hiking with her dog. A new interest is juggling, which she shared at the club meeting.

At school, Erica actively participates in the marching band, volleyball, tennis, Mock Trial, FBLA, Avenger, PLURAL, Leo Club, Environmental Club, SADD, Aevidum, Student Council, Student Forum, Yearbook Club and National Honor Society.

High school awards include placing fourth in the state for the FBLA Publication Design competition - qualifying for the national competition in Texas, earning second most outstanding attorney in the Monroe County Tournament for Mock Trial, and was a local winner in the Poetry Out Loud regional competition at the Allentown Art Museum.

Erica helps her community by volunteering through St. Luke’s Hospital and also works with St. John’s Church to provide community meals.

Erica plans to attend a four-year university to major in biology, majoring in gender and sexuality studies, followed by medical school. Her goal is to one day open her own OB/GYN practice.