The Northampton Exchange Club named Matthew Sommers, a senior at Northampton Area High School, as its Youth of the Month for February at a dinner meeting March 19 at the Northampton Memorial Community Center.

The club noted Sommer's "excellence" in the classroom, extracurricular school activities and volunteer activities.

Program Chairman Dr. Rodger Berg said the club is equally impressed with the projects and other service orientated programs Sommers has undertaken.

Berg said colleges and universities put a lot of weight on the all-around makeup of a young man or woman, and not just their grades in high school.

Sommer's success at the high school includes membership in the National Honor Society, treasurer of the student council government, boys spring track, winter track and field, Spanish Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Berg pointed out Sommers has made the honor roll every marking period while in high school, something which began in his elementary school years.

Sommers volunteer work includes the Miller Keystone Blood Drive, Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation Golf Tournament, Dakota Galusha Memorial Basketball Tournament, Northampton Area Food Bank, church activities and spring and fall baseball for Allen Township.

Sommers participated in the career shadow program of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in their business and broadcasting departments.

The Service to Youth Committee presented Sommers with a Lamp of Knowledge plaque, a framed certificate of merit and a pen.