Scholarship

Travis Bo Tkach was the pride of his community. A 2001 Northern Lehigh High School graduate, Bo was a two-time first team All-State football player and a two-time District 11 javelin champion. In 1999, he quarterbacked the first ever District 11 championship team at Northern Lehigh and played in the first Pennsylvania East-West All Star Game. Bo was named to the ESPN Academic High School Football All-American team in 2000-2001. In 2001, he was named Most Valuable Male Athlete of Northern Lehigh. He was also the school’s representative for the Best of the Best.

Bo’s All Star athletic talents and academic achievements brought him admiration from friends, family, and his community. But, it is his compassion and his role as a Good Samaritan, willing to give up the last few dollars in his pocket so a homeless person could catch a ride on the city bus in order to stay warm during a cold blustery winter evening, that we honor most with this award.

Along the path of life, Bo learned how to inspire others on and off the field. He routinely offered tips to budding high school athletes who saw him as the picture of success. In gym class Bo would select the most challenged individual for his team and he would befriend those who were off the beaten path. Those random acts of kindness, coupled with intense competitive spirit, strength, and determination defined Bo to those who were privileged to share life with him.

The recipient of the Bo Tkach Under the Helmet and Hat Scholarship should have firm plans to attend a college, university, technical, or vocational institution. The candidate does not need to be athletically or academically talented but they do need to be extraordinary in other ways. The recipient should be well rounded, community minded, and have a sincere concern for others; someone who would defend those who could not defend themselves. This scholarship should reward the recipient for helping others while expecting nothing in return.

The award is selected by the entire faculty of each of the high schools.

2018

Austin Stasko
Northwestern Lehigh

Robin Krajir
Panther Valley 

Alyssa Stamets
Carbon Career and Technical Institute

Lucas Boyle
Jim Thorpe

Sarah Berube
Marian Catholic

David Citro
Lehighton

Kyle Kralik
Palmerton

Johnathan Arthur
Weatherly

Trevor Hoffman
Northern Lehigh

2017

Gunnar Rehrig
Marian Catholic

Wyatt Delans
Northern Lehigh

Brendan Carroll
Jim Thorpe

Miguel Gonzalez
Lehighton

Jonathan Blaine
Northwestern Lehigh

Brendan Morgans
Panther Valley

Nalani Lowman
Weatherly

Jacob Snyder
Carbon Career and Technical Institute

Hailey Muniz
Palmerton

2016

Quentin Bernhard
Northwestern Lehigh High School

Dylan Bucior
Jim Thorpe Area High School

Jericho Burger
Palmerton Area High School

Ansleigh Cressman
Carbon Career and Technical Institute

Wyatt Clements
Lehighton Area High School

Casey Grover
Weatherly Area High School

Sam Stanko
Panther Valley Area High School