For Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin, it was nice to hear of young people doing community service for altruistic reasons, not because a judge had ordered them to perform the service as part of their sentencing procedure.

"It's a refreshing thing to be with students who are doing well and have a bright future," said Martin. He was the guest of honor at the annual Altruism Awards ceremony where high school seniors from across Lehigh Valley were honored for performing altruistic acts in their schools or communities. Lauren Pluchinsky, 18, a senior at Catasauqua High School, was among those students selected to receive the Travelers Protective Association Altruism Award.

Pluchinsky says she plans to attend the University of Scranton where she will major in physics. She is the daughter of Bernard and Linda Pluchinsky.

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

"I'm tired of going out in the middle of the night, seeing 17- and 18-year olds dead," said Martin.The DA urged his young audience to be a good influence on their friends and to be aware of who they associate with. 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 who your associates are. " he said. "You are lucky to have strong, caring parents and teachers."

Martin briefly addressed the issue of violence in schools, saying violence in local school districts has been "isolated incidences."

"We haven't seen the level of violence [compared to other areas]," he said."The interest and concerns resulting from Sandyhook [Elementary School in Newtown Conn.] have waned to some degree."

"There are not too many people in law enforcement who think gun control will end violence," he said. "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 students, parents and educators attending the awards ceremony to be vigilant, to report suspicious activity to law enforcement, teachers or parents.

In addition to Pluchinsky, students who were present to receive the Altruism Award included 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; Kathleen Twiggs, Central Catholic; Kevin Garrity, Northampton High School; Ryan Carrig, Bethlehem Catholic High School; Robyn Campbell, Freedom High School; Sarah E. Karmosky, Parkland High School; Angela VanBlargan; Northwestern High School and Reinys Beriguete, William Allen High School.