Timothy Tkach, LEAF President
January 15, 2025
Dear Friends of LEAF,
The Lehighton Education and Athletic Association will celebrate the announcement of the 2024 LEAF Graduates of Distinction at a Graduates of Distinction Dinner to be held at the Lehighton American Legion Post 314 at 6:00 pm on May 17, 2025.
You may also purchase tickets during normal business hours at the office of Markley Insurance and Financial Services, located at 445 Coal Street in Lehighton, office number is 610-377-4382.
We will honor the following 2024 Graduates of Distinction:
- Maynard Ahner II – Class of 1984
- Rick Merluzzi – Class of 1975
- LCMR Thomas A. Polk (Deceased) – Class of 1950
- Dennis Yenser – Class of 1964
The Graduates of Distinction for 2025 will also be honored at this celebration. The deadline for applying for the 2025 honorees is February 28, 2025. If you know of a deserving LAHS graduate, check the requirements on the website and please do not hesitate to submit an application.
In order to create an evening to remember for our Distinguished Graduates, we are asking for your help. Please consider a gift using the GOD Dinner Donor form on the website to serve as a sponsor for the GOD Dinner. As an incentive for your possible sponsorship, LEAF will add 4 free tickets to the upcoming GOD Dinner for all Gold Level members, 3 free tickets for Silver Level members and 1 free ticket for our Bronze Level members. Gifts, according to the following categories, can be designated from an individual, a family, as a business or anonymous:
- Gold – $1,000
- Silver – $500
- Bronze – $250
- Patron – $100
Donors will receive a personal letter from me to thank them for their support and generous donation. Donors will also be acknowledged on our website and in our program at the Graduates of Distinction dinner. To set an example for perspective donors, Maj Gen (Ret) Marvin Jay Barry (LAHS 1966), a member of our LEAF Board of Directors and his wife, Christine (LAHS 1968), have pledged to become a Gold member with a gift of $1,000. Please consider a generous gift to support the upcoming Graduates of Distinction Banquet.
I would ask that you take the time to visit our redesigned website which contains our goals, mission and vision for the future. In the new website, you will also find information on our Paver and Brick Program. These personally designed pavers and bricks are prominently displayed at the entrance to the LAHS Football Field. Funds from this endeavor are channeled into the many scholarships, grants and programs supported by LEAF.
Finally, we will continue to strive for excellence as an organization so that we may best serve the students and teachers of the Lehighton Area School District.
Our goal is to provide a great foundation for the youth who will become future Graduates of Distinction from Lehighton Area High School.
Sincerely,
Timothy Tkach
Class of 1978