Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of the 2020 Whitehall Area Chamber Scholarship. This scholarship fund was established by the Chamber to provide funding to future business and community leaders in the Whitehall area and is awarded annually to a graduating senior from Whitehall-Coplay and Catasauqua Area school districts.

The 2020 recipients of this $500 scholarship are Jacqueline Szlagiewicz, of Whitehall High School, and Sarah Yandrasitz, of Catasauqua High School.

“The Whitehall Area Chamber was extremely impressed by both applications,” said Kylie Adams, manager of affiliated Chambers for Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber’s scholarship fund has been an important initiative to support our future business and community leaders. We see this as an important investment in the future of our community.”

Applicants must be planning to further their education within six months of graduating from high school and submit a resume, including their high school area of study, extracurricular activities or offices held (both in school and/or outside of school), community involvement and any additional awards or honors received. Additionally, applicants must submit two essays.

Both awardees have plans to attend Lafayette College and submitted essays focusing on themes of bettering their societies.

In her essay, Szlagiewicz spoke about the effects of social media within society.

Yandrasitz spoke of the importance of biochemical research.

“I believe that an education in biochemical research is extremely beneficial to society,” Yandrasitz said. “Society is always changing and evolving due to the advancement of science. The field of research is a prestigious area of skill that expands and learns in a way that benefits the whole of mankind.”

Both women will graduate as members of the Lafayette Class of 2024 in their respective majors.

“On behalf of the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, I am delighted to present these two very talented and driven women with scholarships to assist with their pursuit of higher education,” said Dan Quay, board chair of Whitehall Area Chamber. “The Chamber board is genuinely grateful to all who supported our events throughout the year that enabled us to distribute these scholarships to our future business and community leaders.”

Whitehall Area Chamber, which serves Whitehall Township and Catasauqua, North Catasauqua and Coplay boroughs, hosts several events per year to engage local businesses and community partners, as well as to raise money for the scholarship fund.

For more information on the Chamber or to get involved, contact Adams at kyliea@lehighvalleychamber.org.