The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established to honor a graduate of Southern Columbia Area High School or any former high school that formed the Southern Columbia Area District. Recipients are individuals who have achieved success in their field of endeavor and/or have had a positive influence on the students and community of Southern Columbia Area.

Southern Columbia Area Distinguished Alumnus Recipients

2008- Richard “Dick” Knoebel, Ralpho Township High School Class of 1957
2009- Jim “Steck” Williams, Catawissa High School Class of 1952
2010- Dr. Randall Rhodes, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1978
2011- Clay Yeager, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1969
2012- Susan M. Miller, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1977
2013- Terry R. Sharrow, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1963
2014- Tony Pipa, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1982
2015- Rick Herring, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1978

2016- Jewel Bittner Griffith, Roaring Creek Valley/Southern Area High School Class of 1960

Inaugural Class of Distinguished Alumnus, Inducted October 21, 2016: Lee Yeager, Catawissa High School Class of 1940; John Yocum, Roaring Creek Valley High School Class of 1957; Ronald “Buddy” Knoebel, Ralpho Township/Southern Area High School Class of 1961; Dr. J. Spence Reid, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1976; Linda Miller, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1980; Dr. Eric Feese, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1988; Lieutenant Colonel Jason Feese, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 1990; and Laura Cook, Southern Columbia Area High School Class of 2006. For photos and additional information about the inaugural ceremony please click this link.

Distinguished Alumnus Class of 2017, Inducted October 6, 2017: Doug Leisenring Crowl, Ralpho Township High School Class of 1952, Jeff Colosimo, Class of 1982, Audrey Smeltzer Schwab, Class of 1998, and Josh Maciejewski, Class of 2003. For biographical profiles of each inductee please click this link.

Distinguished Alumnus Class of 2018, Inducted October 5, 2018: Dr. Kay Huber, Catawissa High School Class of 1959, Rick Steele, Class of 1974, Timothy Vought, Class of 1987 and Kathryn “Katy” Elkin, Class of 1995. For biographical profiles of each inductee please click this link.
“Katy” Elkin was unable to attend the October Induction Ceremony but did return to the “states” in December. She was honored during a special ceremony held before the High School’s students and staff. Katy’s biographical profile is below:
Katy’s success is an example of the benefits of music and the arts. Her instrument of choice is the oboe. Through this instrument, she launched her musical career in high school, making state orchestra, in addition to Regional and District Chorus. She continued her education at Temple, earning her degree in Oboe Performance and Music History. She earned her Master’s Degree from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in Belgium. Back in the U.S., she played for symphonies in the Philadelphia area, but ultimately returned to Europe. She currently tours with the Barcelona Bach Orchestra, along with the production company formed with her husband called Le Tendre Amour, while balancing parenthood for their two boys.
Distinguished Alumnus Class of 2019, Inducted October 11, 2019: Stu Appel. Class of 1979, Paul Gilbert, Class of 1978, Dr. Abby Schlesinger, Class of 1991, Craiig Richard, Class of 1971 and Nate Richard, Class of 2001. Biographical profiles of each inductee will be posted soon.

Retired Superintendent Charlie Reh, Southern Columbia Alumni Community President Bill Hoffner, and Superintendent Paul Caputo join the Distinguished Alumnus Class of 2019 (Paul Gilbert, Stu Appel, Dr. Abby Schlesinger, Craig Richard and Nate Richard) for a photo prior to the induction ceremony.

The Distiguished Alumni Class of 2018 pose with HS Principal Jim Becker and Superintendent Paul Caputo prior to being recognized at Tiger Stadium.

The Distinguished Alumnus Class of 2018 are applauded by an appreciative and attentive student body. Pictured are the 2018 inductees: Kay Huber, Rick Steele and Tim Vought.

If you wish to nominate a deserving candidate, please click this link to download a nomination ballot. Nominations for the Distinguished Alumnus Class of 2020 are due April 30, 2020.
Nominations can be e-mailed to Mike Yeager, Director of the Southern Columbia Alumni Community at myeager@scasd.us or Superintendent Jim Becker at jbecker@scasd.us . Nominations can also be mailed to the following address:
Distinguished Alumnus Award Nomination
Mr. Jim Becker, Superintendent
Southern Columbia Area School District
800 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820

Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by the Selection Committee which will consist of a volunteer from each Alumni Association, the Superintendent, High School Principal, and “friends” of the Southern Columbia Alumni Community.