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Dylan Darville and Elena Pursell named Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute’s Athlete of the Year.
Emmaus High School football player Dylan Darville and Parkland High School volleyball player Elena Pursell were each named Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute’s Athlete of the Year during a live broadcast on PBS39 June 1. Both athletes were surprised with a live interview during the broadcast and each awarded a $10,000 scholarship based on athletic accomplishments, academics and community involvement.
The Athlete of the Year event is the culminating celebration of the Athlete of the Week program, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. The 33-week program, featured in The Morning Call, gives the public an opportunity to vote for three male and female student-athletes weekly. Each weekly winner receives a $500 scholarship.
Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Athlete of the Year is the region’s largest scholarship program for student-athletes. Over the last ten years, the program has awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to more than 500 area student-athletes.
“One of the most important partnerships we have is with scholar athletes, like those recognized through our Athlete of the Week program” says Thomas Graham, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. “Our family at Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute applauds all the winners. We’re proud to celebrate your achievements through our Athlete of the Year program.”
During this year’s event all 66 Athlete of the Week winners were recognized. Several Lehigh Valley Health Network Impact Athletes also were featured throughout the show, including professional football wide receiver and Nazareth Area High School graduate Jahan Dotson and University of Florida track star and Saucon Valley High School graduate Talitha Diggs.