Gulnur Avci is the daughter of Zubeyda and Ahmet Avci and will be graduating from Bangor High School. She plans to attend Columbia University with a major in electrical engineering and a possible minor in computer science or business. Her community and academic honors include the receiving the Congressional Award Silver Medal, Horvath Excellence in Science Award, and the Rensselaer Medal. During the college decision process, she was also named a Hodson Trust Scholar at Johns Hopkins University and a Meinig Family National Scholar at Cornell University. She is the co-founder of Pyronix-a start-up that created a device called the PyroSleeve-and is the founder of the BHS LaunchX Entrepreneurship Club at her school. Her activities include Student Government Association, National Honor Society, playing the flute for the school’s Symphonic Band, and volunteering at Moravian Hall Square Nursing Home. In addition to these, Gulnur spends a majority of her time preparing projects for the annual Technology Student Association regional and state conferences; she has several regional ribbons and is a four-time state finalist in video game design, digital video production, and animatronics. Gulnur has attended the 5 week LaunchX Entrepreneurship Summer Program at Northwestern University the summer of her senior year and a 6-month web development course during her junior year. In her free-time, Gulnur enjoys painting, playing the piano, basketball, and rapping.
Seth Fine is the son of Harris and Sandi Fine and is graduating from Parkland High School. He is Class Treasurer, Treasurer of LEO Club, founding member of Aerial Technologies club, co-president of National Honor Society, and earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Honor. He has been a co-captain of the volleyball team for the past three years and has earned Parkland High School scholar athlete. Seth serves as the student representative to the district community advisory council and the president of FBLA where he placed 2nd in states in Entrepreneurship and then Top 15 at Nationals. Next fall, Seth will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study Electrical Engineering and Finance.
Aaron Hammond is the son of Gerard and Sherri Hammond and will be graduating from Pleasant Valley High School. He plans to attend Georgia Institute of Technology to major in Aerospace Engineering. He was the Vice President and Co-Captain of his school’s Science Club and Science Olympiad Team respectively, leading his team of peers to various victories in science olympiad competitions, robotics competitions, and biology olympics. He also has been the president of his school’s Math Honor Society for the past 2 years organizing meeting activities, induction, fundraising, and various events. He started the Entrepreneurship Club his sophomore year and is the National Honor Society treasurer at his school’s chapter. He will be returning to FBLA Nationals in San Antonio, Texas this summer for his second time. He has received Academic excellence awards in mathematics, economics, and overall ranking in his class. In his time away from school associated activities and engagements he enjoys working at Blue Ridge Winery.
Caterine Yunez-Cosme is the daughter of Wadid Yunez and Olga Cosme and will be graduating from Whitehall High School. She plans to attend Penn State University and major in Architectural Engineering. While at Whitehall, she was part of the Science Olympiad team, primarily as a builder, and medaled in various competitions. She is currently the President to the Science National Society and the Art Club, Vice President to Science Olympiad and Serve Club, and a member of National, Math, and English Honor Society as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Forum. She serves in Lehigh County Youth Advisory Board as a youth liaison. She is a College Board Scholar and a Graduate of the National Hispanic Institute. She is a PA Governor School of the Sciences participant at Carnegie Mellon and published research in Irregular Graph Theory alongside Professor Mary Radcliffe. She works part-time as a youth referee and a body artist. In her free time, Caterine volunteers at KidsLife, Teen Advisory Board at the WCPL and the Northampton Food Bank.
Alyssa Zack is the daughter of Randy and Julia Zack and will be graduating from Northwestern Lehigh High School. She is a regional medal winner on her high school’s Science Olympiad Team. She was a two participant in the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge. She is a member of Science National Honors Society and National Honors Society. Alyssa is the co-president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the treasurer of HOSA Future Health Professionals, a member of Key Club, and a volunteer peer tutor. She is a 4-year varsity athlete in cross country and track and was captain for both sports her senior year. This season Alyssa was named Northwestern’s female MVP in cross country for leading her team to a third-place finish in the PIAA cross country state meet. She was awarded the Colonial League Academic All Star Award for her outstanding performance in athletics and academics. Other awards she has received include the Bausch and Lomb Science Award and the Allentown Rotary Club Student of the Month. After graduation Alyssa plans to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida where she plans to major in engineering. She is also continuing her cross country and track career at the collegiate level.
The Lehigh Valley Society of Professional Engineers would like to thank the following businesses for their financial support of our scholarship program. The support of these firms and individuals has made it possible to provide this year's scholarships. They deserve our thanks for their generosity and willingness to provide donations assisting these promising students in their commitment to pursue a degree and carrier in engineering. This year’s donors are:
Graduate Level
Bridge Gap Engineering
FLSmidth, Inc.
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Senior Level
Victaulic Company
Junior Level
Barry Isett & Associates
EnviroAce/Mary Rooney
Kreischer Miller
Langan
Liberty Property Trust
Millennium Electro-Hydraulics Services
Peak Technical Staffing USA
Pennoni Associates, Inc.
The Pidcock Company
TRC Worldwide Engineering
Sophomore Level
Borton Lawson Engineering
Hanover Engineering Associates
Lehigh White Cement
Maser Consulting P.A.
Mass Mutual Financial Group
Newton Engineering
Rettew
Freshman Level
Alfred Gruenke, PE
Civil & Forensic Engineering
Frank Walsh, PE
Kevin T. Campbell, PE, LEED AP
Keystone Consulting Engineers
Kohn Engineering
Monarch Precast Concrete Corporation
R. Peruzzi, Inc.
Contributors
Michael F. Basta, PE
Allison Berger
Alex Dezubay, PE
William Erdman, PE
Grayson McNair, PE