A Northern Lehigh School District administrator has received a prestigious award.

At last week’s school board meeting, Superintendent Matthew J. Link, Ed.D., announced that Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tania Stoker, Ed.D., recently received the Roseann Smith Alperin Award from the Junior League from her community.

“This award recognizes a woman whose leadership, compassion and ability to inspire others positively impact her community,” Link said. “So she does a lot of community service near where she lives and she was recognized by the Junior League of Scranton for her philanthropy in that community.”

The Roseann Smith Alperin Award was established by the Junior League of Scranton to recognize an outstanding female who exhibits the heart and spirit of Roseann Smith Alperin by demonstrating the capacity to lead, motivate, and inspire others and the community she serves.

The award honors an area woman who has the capacity to encourage others to make more of themselves and the community they serve.

Through this award, the award recipient has the opportunity to donate $500 to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

The nonprofit organization that nominates the winning recipient also receives a $500 prize.

Stoker shared what the award means to her.

“Receiving the Roseann Smith Alperin Award is an incredible honor, and one that I accept with deep gratitude,” Stoker said. “Roseann Alperin’s legacy of service, leadership, and community-minded compassion has inspired generations of women, and to be recognized in her name is profoundly meaningful to me.”

Stoker added, “My volunteer work has always been rooted in the same belief that guides me in my role in the educational system — that strong communities create strong schools, and when we support families, we open doors for students.

“This award reinforces the importance of that collective work and encourages me to continue advocating for programs and partnerships that provide opportunities for and empower others,” she said. “I’m grateful to be part of communities where so many people give their time, energy, and heart to making a difference for future generations.”

The Junior League of Scranton established the Roseann Smith Alperin Fund in August 1996 to honor the memory and community spirit of their fellow League member. This award is presented annually through Women In Philanthropy to a woman who demonstrates the vision of a leader and the capacity to inspire and motivate others.

Stoker said a monetary donation will be made to Junior League of Scranton and Ronald McDonald House of Scranton on her behalf as the award winner.