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2025 FEMALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE-OF-THE-YEAR NOMINEES
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Amanda Delevan, Boiling Springs: Amanda is a National Honor Society and a National Mathematics Honor Society member who is ranked in the top 15 percent of her class and owns a 96.1 grade point average. She plans to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy to study Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering or enroll at Penn State University to study Civil Engineering. Amanda has 11 varsity letters in cross country, wrestling, and track and field. She qualified for the PIAA State Championships in all three sports, won a District 3 Championship and served as a team captain for all three sports teams.
“I believe that my experience with the growth of the girls’ wrestling team has left a lasting impact on me. I was one of the first girls to attend club practices despite having no experience or knowledge of the sport. Even though wrestling felt very foreign initially, I was drawn to the mental, physical, and technical challenge. The physicality of the sport brought our club of girls closer to each other, and we each found our place within the team. Since we didn’t have a full lineup, recruiting more participation was crucial for our success. Our “family-like” bond attracted many girls who were on the fence about joining the team. I have never been part of such a welcoming and encouraging team with coaches who put in so much effort. This experience will help me to have the same welcoming attitude towards anyone I meet in the future. Especially throughout college, whether in classes or practice, I hope to be an encouraging voice to my peers.”
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Kate Chaplin, Camp Hill: Kate is a World Language Honors Society, National Honor Society, and National Mathematics Honor Society member who won a National History Day regional championship and qualified for the state level twice. She has a 96.5 grade point average and plans to attend either the University of Maryland or University of Pittsburgh to study Biology with aspirations to attend medical school. Kate earned seven varsity letters in soccer and track and field where she won three District 3 titles on the soccer pitch and finished in the top seven in District 3 track and field in three events.
“Starting at the early age of first grade, I was enrolled in speech therapy as I was unable to pronounce “r” and “s” sounds. Many kids experience this, but its effect on me ran much deeper than silly mispronunciations. I was often embarrassed to speak, and it made me shy away from making friends or raising my hand in class. It shaped my personality into being known as the “quiet” girl. However, to my closest friends it was quite the opposite. I worked very hard to overcome both my speech disorder and my social shyness, and my speech is no longer an issue for me. I am now excited and unafraid to talk to new people or answer in class, however my speech impediment will still cross my mind. I think overcoming this challenge has allowed me to become more confident within myself, even within my academics. Despite all my efforts It will likely always be a part of who I am, however, I have learned to accept and embrace it.”
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Eloise Billus, Cedar Cliff: Eloise is a National Honor Society and National Merit Commended Scholar who is inside the top 10 in her class with a 99.5 grade point average. She plans to attend a four-year university and study Political Science but currently has not revealed her final school choice. Her list of options includes Boston University, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Seton Hall University, The George Washington University, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University. Eloise has earned 11 varsity letters and was a four-year letterwinner in soccer. She also earned varsity status in basketball, cross country, and track and field. She was a captain for three of those teams and was part of a 2023 basketball team that was the District 3 Class 6A champion and finished as runner-up in the PIAA State tournament.
“Although I was involved in countless sports, clubs, and even had a part time job throughout my high school journey, my most extensive commitment has been to music. Beginning in fourth grade, I joined the band. For three years, I played the trumpet in the elementary and middle school bands before switching instruments to the euphonium. Despite my hesitation to continue band into high school, I have proudly played the euphonium in the high school concert band and Wind Ensemble. My involvement in music is something that not many people know about me but has been a huge part of my life for over eight years. Because music differs drastically from other subjects or even sports, I find it to be a great creative break in which I can express myself through my playing.”
Kathryn Chang, Cumberland Valley: Kathryn is a National World Language Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and National Mathematics Honor Society member who is ranked in the top five percent of her class with a 96.7 grade point average. She plans to attend the University of Michigan and plans to major in either biology, nutrition, or food science. Kathryn earned six varsity letters in swimming and diving and volleyball. She was a team captain in both sports in her senior year and in the pool was a five-time District 3 finalist and a two-time PIAA finalist.
“Although I am 100% Korean by birth, I am fully American by heart. When people see me, they assume that I can probably speak two languages or that I have a home filled with cultural artifacts. But in reality, I am just an American girl who is completely out of touch with her Asian background. Growing up in a predominantly white community in Central Pennsylvania, I was rarely surrounded by other Asians with whom I could share my heritage. Therefore, it was difficult to practice or learn about my culture, and I failed to accept this part of my identity in fear of being judged by my peers at school. However, my attitude towards my Korean self quickly changed when I visited South Korea for the first time for the 2018 Winter Olympics. When I returned home, I began trying to integrate Korean culture into my life. I started simple by taking beginner Duolingo lessons and watching Korean dramas, but these practices quickly evolved: my family and I now celebrate every New Year by eating tteokguk, a traditional rice cake soup that is said to bring good fortune. For my school’s culture day, I wore a hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, to physically showcase my heritage. I even joined my school’s Asian Culture Club, where we participate in various activities and learn about different Asian countries. In many ways, even if small, I attempt to practice my culture and incorporate it into my everyday life. My experience in Korea hasn’t just taught me new things about my culture, but it has led me to accept myself. I no longer feel the need to fit in, but rather, I want to stand out and be seen for the things I tried to bury before. So no, I do not have a house filled with Korean artifacts, I do not use chopsticks for every meal, and I do not know how to speak Korean. But despite these perceived barriers, I am still an entirely Korean girl.”
Irys Kline, East Pennsboro: Irys has received a scholarship offer from Boston University to play NCAA Division I softball and continue her academic career where she plans to major in Finance and has a 91.7 grade point average. She has eight varsity letters in softball and basketball and is one of the premiere softball players in District 3. Irys is a two-time Mid-Penn Conference Player-of-the-Year and among her many other individual honors she earned first-team All-State softball honors in 2022.
“Something you won’t find on my resume is my love for playing games, especially strategy and logic-based ones. Whether it’s a board game, a card game, or even a video game, I have always enjoyed thinking through movies, planning and solving problems in creative ways. Playing games has taught me how to stay patient under pressure, think critically, and adapt quickly to changing situations. These skills have translated into other areas in my life, including academics and sports, where strategy and focus are key. As I look forward to Boston University, I know that this love for games will continue to help me approach challenges with a clear and thoughtful mindset.”
Vivienne Connor, Harrisburg Academy: Vivienne is a three-year National Honor Society member who has been an honors student all four years of high school. She has a 3.7 grade point average and will attend Penn State University with plans to major in Political Science. Vivienne has eight varsity letters in soccer and swimming but shines on the soccer pitch where she is the first athlete in school history to be in the top 10 in scoring and saves.
“In December of my freshman year, I was diagnosed with cancer. As my treatment started, I had to make the difficult decision to quit the swim team for the season to focus on my treatment. I was declared cancer-free on March 7th, 2022, and started soccer season in August. After going through chemotherapy and endless doctor's appointments, I started to appreciate the “smaller” things in my life, specifically sports. Being able to go to practice with my teammates, playing games, and swimming in meets meant more. Although I never want to go through what I did again, I am glad that I was able to understand what it took to get to where I am now, on and off the field and in and out of the pool.”
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Madison Fissel, Mechanicsburg: Madison is a National Honor Society student who owns a 96.1 grade point average and will continue her athletic career as a field hockey player and pursue a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education at Shippensburg University. She has five varsity letters in field hockey and lacrosse, served as a team captain for both sports her senior seasons and as part of the field hockey team has participated at some of the highest levels including winning the 2022 PIAA Class 2A title.
“Throughout high school, I had many opportunities to explore different career paths. The one that’s made a lasting impression on me is my Senior Internship. For a few hours each school day, I have gotten to assist in a first-grade classroom during my senior year. This opportunity has given me extensive hands-on experience in working with and teaching children. It has been challenging and rewarding as the class had a few high-need special education students that I got to work closely with. During this time, I have also had the opportunity to participate and lead morning meetings, run my own reading group, and play with students as they arrive. This experience has truly shown me how much I enjoy helping kids learn and grow, sparking excitement for the next chapter as I pursue a career in education.”
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Anna Lehman, Northern York: Anna is a World Language Honor Society and a National Honor Society member who is in the top five percent of her class and owns a 98.8 grade point average. She plans to attend Jame Madison University to major in nutrition while competing on the track and field team. Anna has earned a staggering 14 varsity letters in four sports including soccer, basketball, track and field, and football. She served as a captain for three sports, kicked for the football team her final two years, also scored varsity points in a pinch for the cross country and indoor track and field squads while earning multiple individual all-star and District 3 and PIAA State qualifications.
“Determination has been an important part of my life journey because I’ve learned that resilience can produce tremendous growth. In my freshman year of high school, I was tasked with starting a club at our school called FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I worked hard to organize and prepare the meetings for the club, yet there were only a few people that would show up. During the process, I felt very discouraged because some factors were out of my control, but I continued persevering. I focused on encouraging the small group of people interested in connecting through sports and faith, and I noticed that it led others to join. I learned to stay hopeful, ask for advice, and incorporate new ways of engagement over the years of developing FCA. Since the beginning, a classroom of five students has turned into a place overflowing with forty-five kids, excited to grow in relationship with one another. Determination is critical because you are guaranteed to face trials in life and have things not go your way. But it’s rewarding to rise above the challenges and experience what made it worthwhile.”
Zuri Crumpton, Red Land: Zuri is a Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society, and as a junior was an Academic All-American. She is in the top 10 percent of her class with a 3.9 grade point average and will attend Liberty University where she plans to major in Pre-Law and continue her lacrosse career at the NCAA Division I level. Zuri earned 11 varsity letters in soccer basketball and lacrosse. She served as the team captain at least one season for all three programs and finished her star-studded lacrosse career with 300 points and 100 goals.
“Selflessness is something about me that you wouldn’t find on a resume. I am someone who is a team player and is willing to do whatever it takes to help my team win. I believe everyone has a role to play and each role is as important as the other. I have found myself being the teammate to take the game winning shot for my lacrosse team, but I have also been the teammate who is on the bench cheering my basketball team on till the very last second, without a minute of playing time. Both of those roles are very different, but in my eyes they are equally important. High school sports have taught me that you are going to have teammates that are selfish, but I have never let that alter me and what I stand by. Selflessness to me means that I am going to do my best to make everyone around me better and help my team be put in the best situation possible. Every sport I play needs team chemistry, and I believe I bring great assets to what a team needs. Being a selfless person allows me to be relatable to everyone on my team and make sure that there is no gap in our team where people feel they don’t belong or aren't needed.”
Esther Feltenberger, Susquenita: Esther is a National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society member, and is the recipient of the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. She is ranked in the top 10 percent of her class with a 99.8 grade point average and plans to attend Penn State Harrisburg to continue her academic and softball careers. Esther has six varsity letters in softball and basketball and the softball squad has championship pedigree with multiple championships, District 3 final appearances and a PIAA State quarterfinal appearance.
“A situation that left the biggest impact on me was getting a Biopsy during the summer of my senior year. It was scary and uncomfortable but taught me to appreciate every single moment. Every moment of my senior year, every moment of my life. I am extremely tenacious. Once I am given a task, I will complete it and see it out until the end. This has taught me to never give up and strive for greatness.”
Sienna Chirieleison, Trinity: Sienna is a National Spanish Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, and National Honor Society member who is in the top 10 percent of her class with a 4.5 grade point average. She plans to attend Syracuse University and major in Public Relations and minor in Psychology. A standout four-year lacrosse letterwinner, Sienna also ran varsity cross country her senior year. The two-year team captain broke the Trinity lacrosse scoring record and led the entire state in goals scored in 2022 and 2024. Over her final three seasons she scored more than 400 goals.
“I was very excited to start high school. Probably because I spent the first nine years of school at the same school, Saint Joseph School in Mechanicsburg. I loved it there, but I was ready for a change. And there was a lot of change in high school. New building, new teachers, new experiences. Some of my friends from elementary and middle school started to go in different directions and I had to decide what direction I wanted to go. I remember my mom telling me to “be myself” and the right friends will find me. I took her advice and focused on what mattered to me. I was very busy with lacrosse and traveled a lot for sports during high school. Through this I was fortunate to be surrounded by girls who were going in the same direction that I was going. Back at Trinity, by “being myself” and I developed great friendships with girls similar to me. So now, with all the change that college will bring, I am so grateful that I learned the important lesson to ALWAYS BE YOURSELF.”
Autumn Albright, West Perry: Autumn is a National Honor Society member who is top five in her class and was a two-year NFHCA High School Scholar of Distinction. She has a 4.0 grade point average and will attend Penn State University to study Biomedical Science and continue her field hockey career. Autumn has 13 varsity letters including four each in field hockey and track and field, three in bocce ball and two in cross country. Among her many individual field hockey awards, she joined the 100-point club her senior year and was a two-time PHSFHCA All-State Class A All-Star while serving as a team captain.
“As my high school days come to an end, I begin to reflect on all the lessons I have learned through the years. In particular, mistakes and setbacks are inevitable, but what truly matters is how I respond to them. I will admit high school was not always easy. I have bombed tests before, lost races, and faced several challenges. However, I do not view these circumstances as failures. Each one taught me a valuable lesson that these miniscule things in life do not define me. What defines me is my character and the way I treat others. When I stopped defining success as getting an “A” or winning, I became the best version of myself. The version where success means having peace of mind knowing I did my best. This simple will guide me throughout all aspects of my life.”
Rose Dennstaedt, West Shore Christian Academy: Rose is a distinguished honors student with a 3.8 grade point average and plans to attend Presbyterian College to major in Business and Education and play NCAA Division I lacrosse. She earned 12 varsity letters in lacrosse, soccer, and basketball while serving as a team captain for all three sports. A four-time All-Star in lacrosse, Rose also holds the school lacrosse record for points, goals, and draw controls.
“One thing that I love is to encourage all people around me. I have learned this through my mom and her journey with cancer and she started Radiant Hope to encourage others with cancer. This has shown me how precious life is and how to live it to the fullest every day, loving everyone around you because you never know how even one simple act of kindness can change someone’s life.”