Editor's Note: This is part two of a story about Whitehall student-athletes moving on to college.

Nicole Peifley is making the trek to West Chester University in the fall. That's where she'll continue cheerleading, a sport that's been her passion since kindergarten. Peifley chose the school because it offered "an amazing respiratory program," a key selling point since that's her major. She also fell in love with the picturesque campus while visiting her sister who recently graduated from WCU, another deciding factor for the senior.

Even before she arrives in the fall, Peifley had to earn a spot on the cheerleading team coached by Kelly Moyer. Peifley said the first step was to send in a video showcasing different skills, which was followed by a second tryout at West Chester for those girls who displayed the requisite talent. Peifley said 11 girls were in that mix, and from that group six were selected, with Peifley among them.

It was the culmination of a lot of hard work, thirteen years to be exact.

"I have never quit cheerleading because it truly is my passion and what I love to do," said Peifley.

As for what she learned as a student-athlete at Whitehall, Peifley said she learned the key to success was hard work, staying committed and dedicated to both the school and your sport, coupled with a relentless drive to be the best. That helped her earn Whitehall's nomination for the Lehigh Valley Conference Scholar Athlete in cheerleading.

Peifley was also a member of last year's District 11 champs at the Competitive Spirit Championships, a feat never before accomplished by Whitehall. That experience as the team's captain will remain with her a lifetime as she now prepares to continue her career at West Chester.

"It was definitely the best moment I ever experienced with cheering, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without my amazing teammates and coaches," said Peifley.

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Ryan Bonshak is going over the mountain. Well, partially up the mountain to be exact. He'll be enrolled at Lehigh University in the fall where he'll continue to play baseball as a member of the Mountain Hawks.

Bonshak's decision to go the Bethlehem-based University was driven by its academic reputation as one of the leading engineering schools in the country. That's where he'll be leaning toward a degree in mechanical engineering. It also provided a "family atmosphere" since his brother, Matt, is also an undergraduate, while his sister, Erinn, just recently graduated.

At Lehigh, Bonshak will be playing baseball for coach Sean Leary, joining Matt on the squad. They finished 25-24 last year, making it all the way to the Patriot League Championship finals.

Bonshak's senior season was filled with a boatload of accolades, almost too numerous to mention in the afforded space. He played three sports this season and was the Lehigh Valley Scholar Athlete in football, ending the year as the conference's top pick among all the winners, claiming that honor along with Liberty's Emily Cecchini in the final year of the LVC's existence. He also was all-state in football as a defensive back and was an LVC Honorable Mention in baseball this year.

Receiving that recognition taught Bonshak a valuable lesson.

"It shows that hard work actually pays off," said Bonshak.

As he readies for this next phase, he'll cherish the memories made as a student-athlete at Whitehall.

"Those memories are going to last forever," said Bonshak. "It was special this season wearing the maroon and gold."

***

Tyler Bridgwood will be heading to Lehigh University as well. That's where he'll continue to play baseball as a member of the Mountain Hawks. With the addition of Bridgwood, Lehigh will have three Whitehall graduates on their roster next season.

Bridgwood said he chose Lehigh because of its "academic excellence."

"The most important thing for me when deciding on a school was my education," said Bridgwood who will be studying civil engineering. "Academics will always come first for me."

Bridgwood was named to the first team Lehigh Valley All-Conference Baseball Team in both his junior and senior seasons, helping the Zephs to a league title in 2013. He was also a standout wrestler compiling 48 wins during his career.

As a two-sport athlete, Bridgwood learned how to manage his time, making sure he stayed on top of his schoolwork while he wrestled and played baseball. It also taught him "how to be tough."

Bridgwood will have a lot of memories to take with him as he begins the next chapter of his life. However, one in particular stands out.

"My favorite moment as a student-athlete would definitely be winning the LVC championship in my junior year," he said. "That was my overall best night of my life as a high school student, and is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

Jeff Charles was a two-sport standout for the Zephyrs this season. He was the starting quarterback for the Zephyrs this season and also the ace of their pitching staff. The next stop for Charles will be Albright College where he plans to play both sports at the Division III school in Reading.

Charles said the school offered a number of amenities, with its intimacy one of the deciding factors.

"On my visit I was really impressed with the campus," said Charles. "It's a beautiful school with outstanding facilities. The average class size is something like 15. You really get to know your professors."

Charles is looking toward a degree in Criminology, with aspirations of joining the Pennsylvania State Police force in the future.

"I would eventually like to work in forensics or as a detective," he said. "My plans are to enroll at the [Pennsylvania] State Police Academy after graduation."

Charles earned first team All-Lehigh Valley Conference in both football and baseball this season. While he's going to school as a two-sport athlete, he doesn't want those intentions interfering with school work, acknowledging he may have to give up one if that becomes a burden. However, right now his focus is on football and he plans on diving into the playbook and then weight room in preparation.

"I just want to be ready to help the team when camp opens," he said.

Charles said he is well prepared for the next phase of his life since coaches Brian Gilbert and Shaun O'Boyle mentored him as a student-athlete.

"I feel I can take on whatever responsibility is thrown my way," he said.

He also learned that hard work is a key to success, noting that "Whitehall athletes have to scratch and fight for every victory." Success isn't bred by the numbers like some of their division foes.

"At Whitehall it's about doing your job and counting on your teammates to do theirs," he said. "It's work as a team."

That's a lesson he'll take with him to Albright.

As for a favorite moment, it was the honor of playing for coach Ron Madouse, his "favorite coach of all-time."

Shawn Glosek will be playing football at Delaware Valley College. The interior lineman will be suiting up for the Rams in the fall, helping them build off a 7-4 record last season.

Glosek, who will be studying psychology, said his decision to enroll at DVC was fostered by the relationship between the student-athletes and coaches.

"They really made me feel like part of the family there," said Glosek.

Once at school, Glosek will apply that same work ethic he developed while at Whitehall, and that is simply to "work his a** off."

His favorite moment was beating Easton at Cottingham Stadium last season. He said that win fulfilled a promise they made as freshman when they lost 7-6 at that vaunted venue, vowing they would return to win as seniors.

"We said we would beat the crap out of them and we did," he said.

Kyleem Harrison chose Indiana University of Pennsylvania to further his athletic career. The track and field standout will become a member of the Crimson Hawks and join the men's track and field team, competing in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference during their indoor and outdoor seasons.

Harrison competed in the hurdles as well as the jumps, reaching the PIAA Track and Field Championships this year in the 110 meter hurdles. He'll join a team who recently had five members selected to the All-Atlantic Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Their head coach is Michelle Burgher.

Sarah Schannauer is off to Franklin & Marshall College to play field hockey. The Diplomats play in the Centennial Conference and posted a 17-2 record last season. Schannauer, a two-sport athlete at Whitehall, will join a team that made it to the CC finals last season, losing to Ursinus College 2-0 in the title game.

Schannauer, a 2012 and 2013 Lehigh Valley Conference Honorable Mention in field hockey, will be playing for head coach Melissa Mariano as she begins the next chapter of her life.

Madison Scarfaro is set to play volleyball at Wilkes University in the fall. The senior will be a member of the Colonels, competing in the Freedom Conference. Last season the Colonels finished 18-13, losing in the conference semifinals to DeSales University, 3-1.

In addition to volleyball, Scarfaro was a member of the girls basketball team and participated in track and field. She'll be playing under head coach Joseph Czopek as she heads north later this year.