Allentown, PA– April 22, 2026– On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, the Allentown School District hosted its fourth annual You Are the Light celebration of the 2025-2026 school year.
Our April celebration was held at South Mountain Middle School, featuring outstanding performances by Lehigh Parkway Band and Hays Harmony Orchestra. You Are the Light recognizes the remarkable staff and students in ASD schools for their roles as Trendsetters, Quiet Heroes, and Classroom/Community Catalysts within their communities. We also highlighted our student winners from the Black History and Women's History Essay Contest, Celebrating Legacies and Unsung Heroes.
- Trendsetters are those who seize opportunities to lead, grow, and improve effectiveness for themselves, peers, and the broader community. Student Trendsetters show leadership by working with staff to enhance the student experience.
- Classroom/Community Catalysts drive positive change in schools and communities, using their voices and talents to advocate for their peers.
- Quiet Heroes build prosperous partnerships with families, businesses, and neighbors, showing exceptional dedication to service. Student Heroes help shape a supportive school culture through kindness, cooperation, and teamwork.
- Celebrating Legacies and Unsung Heroes Essay Contest winners are our students with strong writing skills who demonstrated their knowledge of important leaders during Black History and Women's History Month. These students reflected on resilience, leadership, and advocacy, highlighting historical figures and community heroes who have made a lasting impact in our community.
The Allentown School District would like to congratulate April’s You Are the Light winners and our Celebrating Legacies and Unsung Heroes Essay contest winners :
Celebrating Legacies and Unsung Heroes: Zayn E. Alraei, Ritter Elementary School; Jericka Irene George, Ritter Elementary School; Sophia Acosta, Mosser Elementary School; Lydializ Gonzalez, South Mountain Middle School; Freimar Campos Silva, South Mountain Middle School; Faith Moll, South Mountain Middle School; Jeniel Aviles Gonzalez, William Allen High School; Morsal Khashee, Dieruff High School; Alaisa J Garcia Perez, Allen High School
Trendsetters: Randy Atiyeh, William Allen High School; Alison Comissiong, Ritter Elementary School; Sandra Dominguez, Dodd Elementary School; Brittney Dunleavy, Lehigh Parkway Elementary School; Chris Dworniki, Dieruff High School. Makenzie Fauntleroy, Jefferson Elementary School; Adrienne Fedor, Ruby Bridges Early Childhood Center; Kasin Hassett, Raub Middle School; Amya Huerta Cruz, Trexler Middle School; Natalya Johnson, Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy; Danitza Lopez Silva, William Allen High School; King Maverick, Central Elementary School; Karla Nunez Vargas, South Mountain Middle School. Isaiah Ramirez, Virtual Campus, Matt Walsh, William Penn (Alternative Education), Kathryn Zimmermann, Administration Center
Classroom/ Community Catalysts: Juriel CamachoArocho, William Penn (Alternative Education), Julie Church, Washington Elementary School, Zaidali Espada, Muhlenberg Elementary School, Deb Ihling, Raub Middle School, Andrew Krahulik-Knapp, Administration Center, Dariely Marrero, Food Service Department, Rakesh Patel, Sheridan Elementary School, Adalinn Philippe, Union Terrace Elementary School, Eliyah'lynn Rogers, Ritter Elementary School, Lailani Roman, Sheridan Elementary School, Yael Rosario Colon, Bridgeview Academy, Ron Simonson, Administration Center, Mrs. Spennato's Class, Roosevelt Elementary School, Jacqueline Thorne, Trexler Middle School, Louis Torres, Dieruff High School
Quiet Heroes: Lukas Brown, Mosser Elementary School, Ashby Collazo, Hays Elementary School, Ann Daub, Central Elementary School, Daniel DeLong, Lehigh Parkway Elementary School, Kiara Diaz, Muhlenberg Elementary School, Michelle Dologite, Union Terrace Elementary School, Paola Estrella, Facilities Department, Nael Fuentes, Jackson Early Childhood Center, Maria Garcia, South Mountain Middle School, Mia Herrera, Dodd Elementary School, Kannon Jones, Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy, Frank Magee, Bridgeview Academy, Stacey Monaco, Roosevelt Elementary School, Rebecca Noll, Jefferson Elementary School, Mateo Payamps, Washington Elementary School, Dariel Quispe, Hays Elementary School, Justin Ruppelli, Ramos Elementary School, Colleen Scharf, Jackson Early Childhood Center, Anthony Swaby, Ramos Elementary School, Kiara Torruella, Mosser Elementary School, Roman Zufelt, Ruby Bridges Early Childhood Center.
Yesterday’s ceremony was a significant one for the district. As we are pleased to announce, the Allentown School District Foundation will be sponsoring and donating to our next You Are the Light ceremony. Our foundation has afforded the opportunity for over 400 individuals the opportunity to help us continue to build this legacy by establishing a $2,500 You Are the Light Teacher Award, which will be awarded at our upcoming You Are the Light Ceremony.
Congratulations to our winners! Your voices, stories, and reflections inspire us all and make an impact in our community. Our next You Are the Light Celebration will be held on June 4, 2026, at Scottish Rite Cathedral.
The Allentown School District is pleased to announce the Allentown School District Foundation will be sponsoring and donating to our next You Are the Light ceremony. Our foundation has afforded the opportunity for over 400 individuals the opportunity to help us continue to build this legacy by establishing a $2,500 You Are the Light Teacher Award.