Justin Sheftel Memorial
Scholarship Award
In June 2005, Justin Sheftel’s life was tragically taken by a drunk driver. To honor Justin’s memory and the values he lived by, the Justin Sheftel Memorial Fund established this scholarship to support graduating students who embody the character, work ethic, and spirit that defined Justin’s life.
This scholarship seeks the uncommon hero—a student who may not always be the loudest or most celebrated, but who shows up with integrity, determination, humility, and heart. The ideal candidate is a hard worker, a reliable friend, and a committed student who perseveres, contributes to their community, and leads through action rather than recognition.
One of Justin’s closest friends described the scholarship this way:
“This award is an un-common award. What makes this scholarship unique is that when looking for the most deserving candidate, one must take a step back and recite the acronym ‘WWJD’—What Would Justin Do? Justin worked hard in everything he did. He earned good grades and strong SAT scores, but it didn’t stop there. Even when he wasn’t a natural, he worked tirelessly to develop his skills—not only in sports, but in all aspects of life. He was the first of my friends to ever hold a paying job. This scholarship rewards individuals who have the humility to be a team player, and the passion to keep going even when others may outshine them.” — Alex Ullman, Emmaus High School Class of 2005
Another close friend reflected on Justin’s lasting impact:
“When I think of Justin, I think of a selfless individual—someone willing to sacrifice for the greater good, a friend you could trust to be there when you needed him. He wasn’t the star athlete, but he had tremendous passion and drive for what he loved and believed in. He earned the respect of his peers through hard work.” — Ryan Schmidt, Parkland High School Class of 2005
Through this scholarship, we aim to recognize students who reflect Justin’s quiet leadership, perseverance, and commitment to doing the right thing—especially when no one is watching.
2025 Scholarship Winners
Since 2001, scholarships have been awarded to students in the amount of $7,500 for local graduating seniors. Our 2025 Scholarship Award Winners are below.
Jeremyah Arroyo graduated from Louis E. Dieruff High School and a Health & Medical Sciences student at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, recognized for his work ethic, leadership, and commitment to service. He has pursued rigorous academics alongside hands-on healthcare experience, including work in an emergency department setting, and has earned multiple safety and health-related certifications. Jeremyah has represented his peers through student leadership and has made a strong impact in HOSA–Future Health Professionals, including state-level leadership. He also demonstrates initiative and creativity beyond school through entrepreneurial interests. Grounded in perseverance and a desire to help others, Jeremyah attends Temple University to study Public Health on a pre-med pathway, with long-term interests in surgery and neuroscience research.
Diego Carrion-Alonzo graduated from William Allen High School in 2025 and demonstrated resilience, leadership, and service that reflects the spirit of the Justin Sheftel Memorial Scholarship. Born in the Dominican Republic
and moving to the U.S. at age eight, Diego embraced the challenges of a new culture and language with determination—earning a 4.6 GPA while maintaining a demanding course load. A four-year varsity swimmer and
multi-season team captain, he also coaches younger athletes, teaches swim lessons, and works as a lifeguard helping others feel safe and confident in the water. Diego’s passion for healthcare has been strengthened
through internships with Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s, including exposure to emergency department care. He attends the University of Bridgeport to pursue medicine and a future as a doctor.
Amelia Dawson graduated from Parkland High
School where she demonstrated academic
achievement, steady leadership, and compassion for others. With a 4.1 GPA, Amelia has pursued a challenging program of study through the PLTW Biomedical Science track, pairing strong performance with curiosity and purpose—including a project focused on improving mental health support during pregnancy. She has served as a student leader in the Child Development Club and in her school’s preschool program, helping create meaningful learning experiences for younger students. Amelia is also a dedicated athlete, playing softball for four years, and gives back through service-oriented roles as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Amelia attends the University of Pittsburgh (Main Campus) and studies Nutrition Science and Pre-Physician Assistant program
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY APRIL 17, 2026
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:
Graduating High School Senior
Applicant must be a current graduating senior from a school in Lehigh or Northampton County, PA.
Post-Secondary Education Plans
Applicant must plan to enroll in a college, university, trade school, or accredited post-secondary program in the upcoming academic year.
Academic Commitment
Applicant must demonstrate consistent effort in academics with a current GPA of 3.0+ or more. While high achievement is valued, this scholarship emphasizes work ethic, growth, and perseverance over class rank or GPA alone.
Athletic Involvement
Applicant must be active on a high school or club athletic team while in school.
Character & Values Alignment
Applicant must demonstrate qualities that reflect Justin Sheftel’s character, including:
- Strong work ethic
- Reliability and integrity
- Humility and teamwork
- Perseverance in the face of challenges
- Respect earned through actions
Employment, Service, or Extracurricular Involvement
Applicant must have participated in at least one of the following during high school:
- Paid employment
- Volunteer or community service
- Extracurricular activities
Good Standing
Applicant must be in good disciplinary standing with their school at the time of application.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicant must submit three letters of recommendation in support of their application.
To apply, please access our online application by clicking here.