You are the Light is a recognition program in the Allentown School District that celebrates staff and students. Each month, the district nominates and selects staff and students in three categories -- trendsetters, quiet heroes/heroines, and community catalysts. The district randomly selects some of the honorees each month to be featured on LehighValleyNews.com. Here are those selected for February:
Joshua Reyes, William Allen High School
William Allen High School junior Joshua Reyes is a vibrant student-athlete who plays baseball, takes college courses and serves on the Allentown School District Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
He is an exceptional student working hard to balance his grades with athletics and is enrolled in DE classes through Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Joshua has made an impact on the staff and faculty at William Allen High School since his freshman year when he was the top seller in the student government-sponsored fundraiser without even being a member of the organization.
Josh was recognized as a trendsetter, which calls attention to those who create new paths for themselves, peers, colleagues or members of the ASD community. Student trendsetters are people who demonstrate leadership within their schools/classrooms to collaborate with administrators and staff to improve student experiences in the Allentown School District.
Emily Blumetti, Union Terrace Elementary School Counselor
As a dedicated school counselor, Blumetti is responsive to the needs of her students and is recognized for her nurturing and caring personality. She is respectful and caring and is known to make sure all Union Terrace Elementary School students are thriving. Blumetti has created an incredibly warm and welcoming space for both students and staff in her office.
She was recognized as a classroom/community catalyst, which calls attention to individuals who champion change in their classrooms, school, and community. These individuals champion student success by closing achievement gaps, measuring progress/using assessments, implementing interventions, or student engagement.
David Davuth Thor, alum
The Allentown School District also recognized business leader and 1992 Louis E. Dieruff High School graduate David Davuth Thor as the You Are The Light alumni honoree.
Thor is a Penn State University graduate and is the owner of Allentown restaurants China King, 1901 W Hamilton St., and China House, 1527 Lehigh St. Thor and his family immigrated to the Lehigh Valley in 1981 when he was nine years old, and opened their first restaurant in 1987.
He is an advocate for all Allentown students and has generously donated time, food and hospitality to many district events and student organizations.