For Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin it was nice to hear of young people doing community service for altruistic reasons not because a judge ordered them to do so as part of sentencing procedure.

"It's a refreshing thing to be with students who are doing well and have a bright future," said Martin, the guest of honor at the annual Altruism Awards ceremony where high school seniors from across Lehigh Valley are honored for performing altruistic acts in their schools or communities.

The students, who were nominated by their high schools, received $100 and other gifts from the Lehigh Valley Travelers Protective Association Post "L" at a ceremony April 11 in Northampton.

"I'm tired of going out in the middle of the night seeing 17- and 18-year olds dead," said Martin.

The district attorney urged his young audience to be a good influence on their friends and to know the individuals with whom they associate.

He said gangs are moving out from the city into the suburbs and the drug culture is a big problem.

"Be better informed as to whom your associates are," Martin said. "You are lucky to have strong, caring parents and teachers."

He briefly addressed the issue of violence in schools, saying there have been "isolated incidences" in local districts.

"We haven't seen the level of [school] violence [compared to other areas]," said Martin. "The interest and concerns resulting from Sandy Hook [school massacre in Newtown, Conn.] have waned to some degree.

"There are not too many people in law enforcement who think gun control will end violence. The real answer is to do something about mental health.

"School safety is on all our minds, especially the educators here. I don't think anyone has a bromide or a solution."

He urged the 90 students, parents and educators attending the event to be vigilant, to report suspicious activity to law enforcement, teachers or to parents.

Students who were present to receive the Altruism Award included: Sarah E. Karmosky, Parkland High School; Angela VanBlargan, Northwestern High School; Gavin Sonntag, Salisbury High School; Frank Alvarado, Liberty High School; Kendra Smith, Northwestern Lehigh High School; Daniel Little, Wilson High School; Eston Deily, Saucon Valley High School; Miguel Strunk, Easton High School; Kate Polles, Nazareth High School; Lauren Pluchinsky, Catasauqua High School; Kathleen Twiggs, Central Catholic; Kevin Garrity, Northampton High School; Ryan Carrig, Bethlehem Catholic High School; Robyn Campbell, Freedom High School; Reinys Beriguete, William Allen High School.

The following awardees did not attend the ceremony: Elyse Kistler, Lehighton High School; Stephanie Bernal, Louis E. Dieruff High School; Mary Paige Nesteder, Notre Dame High School; Maria McDonald, Southern Lehigh High School and Chloe B. Musselman, Whitehall High School.