ORWIGSBURG — The 2016 Schuylkill County Football Scholar-Athlete Christian Puzzi had the opportunity to thank his teammates, classmates, teachers and coaches Wednesday when the county commissioners recognized the award winner during a public meeting at Blue Mountain High School.
“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of my family, teammates and classmates, coaches and teachers and school,” Puzzi said.
Puzzi, 18, of Orwigsburg, credited his classmates and teachers for challenging him in the classroom and his teammates and coaches for pushing him to improve on the field. He said the award is a reflection of the roles they played, as well.
“I don’t hit my maximum potential if they didn’t challenge me,” Puzzi said.
The trophy will be on display at the school until next year’s winner is announced. He also received a plaque, $1,000 and a $1,000 scholarship from the James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Charitable Foundation.
An all-state football kicker, Puzzi was named the 2016 Schuylkill County Football Scholar-Athlete during the Schuylkill Chapter No. 25 of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 55th annual scholar-athlete banquet April 24 at Hillcrest Hall, Minersville.
Puzzi is the sixth student from Blue Mountain to win the award. The last was Patrick Kane in 2003.
Puzzi also lettered in soccer, basketball and baseball at Blue Mountain and is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, English National Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and Phi Sigma Honor Society, and was a two-year member of the Varsity Club, serving as its president his senior year. He ranks seventh in his class of 207 students and will continue his football career at Colgate University, where he will major in economics.
His parents are Joseph and Kelly Puzzi, Orwigsburg.
The county commissioners also recognized the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance and proclaimed May as Silver Ribbon Month in Schuylkill County. Starting as the Elder Abuse Task Force in 2004, SEAPA incorporated in 2007 with the goal of raising awareness of elder abuse and ensuring that crimes against the elderly are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“We as young people will also get to the point where we need care from young people,” Eileen Barlow, SEAPA chairwoman and county ombudsman, said. “It is up to all of us to embrace and support our elders to make sure they getting the respect they deserve.”
In other matters, the commissioners approved a contract with Air Care & Restoration Co. Inc., Bethlehem, for indoor air quality testing and air duct cleaning throughout the Schuylkill County Courthouse. The agreement costs $104,375.
The board also approved a change order for additional line painting and signage required by Norwegian Township for the detour during the rehabilitation of county bridge No. 200 on Maple Avenue, Mar Lin. The cost is $9,152.14.