Seniors at nine area high schools who were selected by their individual faculties to receive annual Bo Tkach Under the Helmet and Hat Foundation Scholarships, and their parents, were recognized by foundation board members during a luncheon held in their honor Wednesday at Macaluso’s at the Lantern, Nesquehoning.

The foundation presents $1,500 scholarships on an annual basis to seniors in Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Marian Catholic, Northern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh, Panther Valley, Palmerton and Weatherly high schools, as well as the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, Jim Thorpe.

The scholarships are presented to the winners during awards assemblies held in front of their peers at their high schools.

Jim Snell, foundation board member who chairs the scholarship committee, commended the scholarship recipients and wished them success in their collegiate endeavors, and thanked the administrations and faculties at the high schools for the roles they played in selecting the individual winners, who were then tabbed by the foundation’s review committee to receive the awards.

“The scholarship recipients should have firm plans to attend a college, university, technical or vocational institution; do not need to be athletically or academically talented, but they do need to be extraordinary in other ways,” said Abbie Guardiani, committee member. “The recipients should be well-rounded, community-minded and have a sincere concern for others, and be someone who would defend those who could not defend themselves. The scholarships reward the recipients for helping others while expecting nothing in return.”

The foundation was founded in memory of Travis “Bo” Tkach, son of Lehighton area natives Jim and Sandy Tkach, following Bo’s tragic death in 2007. Its mission is to raise awareness of obsessive compulsive disorder and mental health issues; to fund various youth programs for the betterment of children in the community; and to provide scholarship awards to deserving students who possess the ideals that Bo possessed.

The 2023 scholarship winners include:

Carbon Career and Technical Institute, Jim Thorpe - Montanna Costenbader, daughter of Pat and Maria Costenbader, will attend Johnson and Wales University, majoring in marketing.

Jim Thorpe Area High School - Andrew Bosi, son of John and Christine Bosi, will attend Muhlenberg University, majoring in biology/pre-medicine.

Lehighton Area High School - Trey Spring, son of Troy and Heather Spring, will attend Huntington University, majoring in agribusiness management.

Marian Catholic High School - Kerrigan Digris, daughter of Joel and Amy Digris, will attend the University of Scranton, majoring in physical therapy.

Northern Lehigh High School - Caitlin Kirk, daughter of Robert and Jessica Kirk, will attend King’s College majoring in chemical engineering.

Northwestern Lehigh High School - Elijah Johri, son of Solomon and Ginger Johri, will attend Pennsylvania State University, majoring in engineering.

Palmerton Area High School - James Martin, son of James and Michele Martin, will attend Pennsylvania State University, Hazleton Campus, majoring in actuarial science.

Panther Valley High School - Brandon Gotthardt, son of Henry Beers and Maryann Gotthardt, will attend Lehigh Carbon Community College, majoring in music education.

Weatherly Area High School - Christal Kislan, daughter of Albert Kislan and Chrissie Houser, will attend Waynesburg University, majoring in criminal justice.