The Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar Athlete Banquet will be held on Jan. 11, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the Northampton Memorial Community Center, 1601 Laubach Ave. in Northampton. There will be 76 soccer scholar athletes honored.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Ms. Amy Hough, assistant women's coach at Lehigh.

Also that evening, John Larry Endy, soccer referee, John Lojko, a key in starting the Emmaus Youth Soccer Program and Siegfried T. Mayr, a founding member of St. Thomas More Parish Soccer Program.

John F. Spirk, III –

Bethlehem Catholic

Spirk is a centerback for Bethlehem Catholic with one goal and two assists this season. He has a 3.72 GPA out of a possible 4.0. In addition to being named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2013. He is a member of Theater, German Club, Scholastic Scrimmage and the Reading and Writing Club. Spirk has played club soccer for 13 years and participates in track and field. After graduation, Spirk plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science to become an electrical engineer or computer scientist.

Brianna M. Abbott –

Bethlehem Catholic

Abbott is a defender on the Lady Hawks' soccer team with two goals and five assists for her career (one goal, two assists in 2014). She has a 3.54 GPA out of a possible 4.0. She was one of the team's captains this season, and Abbott has played club soccer for Magic Soccer for the last seven seasons. She is also a member of FACT and the Key Club, while also serving on the Mini-Thon committee. Abbott has been accepted to a number of collegesincluding Duquesne University, York College, Seton Hall University and Widener Universityyet she is still undecided on where she wants to attend. She plans to major in Criminal Justice or Psychology.

Nicholas E. Youwakim – Freedom

Youwakim, a defender for Freedom in 2014, ranks 36 out of 402 students. He holds a 3.85 GPA out of 4.0. In addition to being the class President for three years and student body President for one year, he is a member of the BASD Mini Thon, National Honor Society, Student Advisory Board and Stem Engineering Team. He also helps coach and ref soccer, and has played club soccer for the Keystone Athletic Grifos for 11 years. Youwakim plans to major in Engineering after high school.

Erica L. Barrett –

Freedom

As a forward, Barrett scored 13 goals and added nine assists for the Patriots in 2014. She has 34 goals and 25 assists for her career. She ranks 24 in a class of 402. Barrett was named the team's Offensive Most Valuable Player for three seasons. She has played club soccer for 10 seasons with Lehigh Valley Magic and Bulldogs. She worked the soundboard for the choir in her time at Freedom. She plans to attend college after high school and is still undecided on her major of choice.

Michael P. Mittl – Liberty

Mittl is a centerback for the Hurricanes who ranks 36 out of 575 students with a 3.96 GPA. He scored two goals this season and has seven for his career. He is the class Senator, while also serving as a member of Faith in Active Teens (FIAT), Young Lite, National Honor Society, Student Government, BASD Mini-Thon, Faith in Christian Athletes and Special Olympics. Mittl also plays baseball at Liberty, and he was recognized as an all-conference first-team selection last season. He plays club soccer for Bethlehem Soccer Club. Mittl plans to study Biomedical Engineering after graduation.

Emily F. Ledyard – Liberty

As a defender for the Hurricanes, Ledyard has one goal and three assists for her career. She ranks 34 in a class of 575 with a 3.9 GPA out of 4.0. Ledyard also runs cross country for Liberty, and she is the National Honor Society's statistician. She is a member of National Honor Society, BASD Mini-Thon and Science Olympiad, while also serving as a volunteer for Special Olympics, vacation bible school and a Sunday school teacher. She has played club soccer for the past 10 years. Ledyard plans to attend college and major in Physical Therapy with a minor in Psychology.