The Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar Athlete Banquet will be held on Jan. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Northampton Memorial Community Center in Northampton.

The banquet recognizes both boys and girls players from throughout the area. There will be 76 student athletes honored, including 14 from the Times News coverage area.The guest speaker for the evening will be Ms. Amy Hough, assistant women's coach at Lehigh.Also honored that evening will be John Larry Endy, soccer referee, John Lojko, a key in starting the Emmaus Youth Soccer Program and Siegfried T. Mayr, a founding member of St. Thomas More Parish Soccer Program.Area players who will be honored at the banquet are:Samuel O. GilkosJim ThorpeGilkos is a defender for Jim Thorpe with two goals and four assists in his career. He ranks ninth in a class of 112 with a grade of 96.4 out of 100.He has been a three-year varsity player and has helped Jim Thorpe qualify for districts twice. He also participates in cheerleading and track and field, while serving as a member of Rotarian, Student Council and Spanish National Honors Society.After graduation, Gilkos plans to major in Business and become a hedge fund manager in the future.Alyssa M. SmithJim ThorpeSmith was an all-league second-team goalkeeper in 2014 for Jim Thorpe. When not in goal, she recorded two goals and one assist. She has 10 goals and four assists for her career. She ranks fourth in a class of 112 with a grade of 97.35 out of 100.Smith has been a captain in each of the past two seasons, while also serving as a member of the National Honors Society, Student Council, Pep Club and Ski Club. She has participated in club soccer for the past 12 seasons with Carbon United and Keystone Athletic Grifos.She plans to attend college and major in Animal Science after high school.Christopher R. LawlerLehightonLawler is a central defender for the Indians with two goals and six assists for his career. He ranks 23 in a class of 159 with a 3.72 GPA out of 4.0. The Indians won the Schuylkill League in 2014 and he was a first-team all-star.Lawler is also a member of the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Juggle Club and Drumline/Splinter Percussion Ensemble. He is currently serving in the PA National Guard.Lawler plans to attend a four-year college and participate in ROTC while majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He would like to pursue activity duty in the military after college.Allison N. AndrewLehightonAndrew is a forward for the Lehighton girls' soccer team, tallying 37 goals and 15 assists this season. She has career totals of 70 goals and 42 assists. She ranks 20 in a class of 159 with a 3.86 GPA out of 4.0.She broke the school record for goals and assists, while also breaking the single-season record for most goals scored. She was also a three-time Offensive Most Valuable Player at Lehighton. Andrew has played 13 years of club soccer, and is a member of FBLA.After high school, she plans to attend college and major in Business Management.Nathaniel J. RexNorthern LehighRex is a goalie on the Bulldogs' soccer team. He ranks second in a class of 120 with a 4.59 GPA (weighted).He has been the class President and Vice President at Northern Lehigh, while also serving as a member for National Honors Society and Student Council. He has held a lead in the musical, participated in the choir and church choir; he has volunteered with Phoebe Home, Miracle League and Miracle Choir of her high school career. He has played club soccer for 10 years.Rex plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania and major in Computer Science.Emily G. BevansNorthern LehighBevans is a defender for the Bulldogs with three goals and two assists for her career. She ranks 10 in a class of 123 with a 4.35 GPA (weighted) out of 5.0She has been the Class President for two years and also served as the Class Treasurer as a junior. She is a member of the Spanish Club, Yearbook, Northern Lehigh Little Theater (Musical and Play), National Honors Society, Interact Club, Relay for Life of Upper Lehigh County. She has played club soccer for five years at NLYAA in the BMYSL.Bevans plans to attend Moravian College and major in Nursing.Brandon E. HerbNorthwesternHerb is a midfielder for the Tigers that recorded 19 goals and 13 assists this season. His career totals are up to 32 goals and 22 assists. He ranks sixth in a class of 161 students with a grade of 98.96.As a four-year letter winner, Herb was recognized as a Colonial League first-team all-star three different times. He is currently the Treasurer of the Rotary Club and President of the Science Olympiad Team, while also serving as a member of the Concert Band, National Honors Society and Science National Honors Society. He has played for Lehigh Valley United the last seven years.Herb plans to attend a four-year college and major in Biomedical Engineering.Alexis N. GawelkoNorthwesternGawelko is a defender for the Lady Tigers with seven goals and three assists for her career. She ranks first in a class of 161 with a grade of 100 out of a possible 100.Gawelko was a Colonial League second-team selection in 2014. She helped the Lady Tigers win both the Colonial League and District 11 Class AAA titles, while also making a late run in the PIAA tournament. In addition to being the Vice President of the Key Club, she is a member of Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Interact Club, National Honors Society and Science National Honors Society. She has played club soccer for 12 seasons with Lehigh Valley United and NYAA.She plans to attend a four-year university and major in Environmental Engineering.Harley J. AppelbaumPalmertonAppelbaum is a sweeper for the Blue Bombers who has three goals and two assists for his career. He ranks 25 in a class of 148 with a 3.66 GPA out of 4.0.In addition to serving as the team's captain in 2014, Appelbaum was a state medalist in track and field last spring. He is a member of the Environmental Club, International Club and Future Business Leaders of America. He has spent 10 seasons play club soccer for Towamensing, Carbon United and West End.After graduation, he plans to attend the University at Albany and major in Criminal Justice.Jaclyn WoodPalmertonWood is a center midfielder for Palmerton who recorded three goals and eight assists in 2014. She has nine career goals to go along with 16 assists. She ranks 13 in a class of 150 with a 3.89 GPA out of 4.0.She is the President of the Class of 2015, while serving as a membr of the National Society of High School Scholars, National Honors Society, Art Club (President), Student Forum, FBLA, Mock Trial, Drama Club and PA Carbon County Special Olympics. Wood is also studying Brazilian Portuguese, German and Spanish. She has a combined nine years of experience in club soccer.Wood plans to attend college after Palmerton and major in International Business.Justin K. HabichPleasant ValleyHabick is a midfielder on the Bears boys' soccer team, tallying 10 goals and four assists in 2014. He ranks 65 in a class of 490 with a 93 grade out of 100.He was also recognized as an All-EPC second-team selection this past season. He has played club soccer for 11 years with WESL, FC Lehigh and Lehigh Valley United. Habick also served as a member of the Key Club.After graduation, Habick plans to major in Finance at a four-year college.Erin E. DriscollPleasant ValleyAs a midfielder, Driscoll scored four goals and added one assist in 2014. She ranks 38 in a class of 492 with a grade of 95.37 out of 100.Driscoll has played club soccer for 11 years at West End and FC Pocono. She is a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Students against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and National Honors Society.Driscoll plans to attend college and major in Psychology next fall.Ryan E. HoffmanWeatherlyHoffman is a centerback for the Wreckers who scored two career goals and had a number of assists. He ranks 39 in a class of 48 with a 2.7 GPA out of 4.0.He was a two-time second-team Schuylkill League all-star. Hoffman enjoys hunting and finishing when he has the time.After high school, Hoffman plans to attend Penn Tech and major in Automotive Technologies.Deanna A. CampionWeatherlyCampion was a defensive midfielder for the Wreckers girls' soccer team in 2014. She ranks 13 in a class of 48 with a grade of 96.4 out of 100.In addition to her success on the field, she is a member of the school's band, Interact Club and National Honors Society.Campion will attend Bloomsburg University in the fall. She remains undecided on her major.