The 2026 Schuylkill County Female Scholar-Athletes include, front from left: Lucero Zavala Perez, Shenandoah Valley; Audrey Hutchinson, Schuylkill Haven Area; Justine Siminitus, Pottsville Area; Marjorie Hoffman-Long, Tri-Valley; Grace Sterner, Minersville Area; Quin Smeltz, Williams Valley; Myla Fasnacht, Pine Grove Area; Cecilia Ulicny, Tamaqua Area; back, from left: Ava Alabovitz, Panther Valley; Madeline Daynorowicz, Nativity BVM; Isabella Horvat, Marian Catholic; 2026 guest speakers Rachel Schoffstall and Brenda Hossler; Arpita Mishra, Blue Mountain; Lyza Holmes, North Schuylkill; Hailey Mroczka, Mahanoy Area. (Photo courtesy of Schuylkill County Women’s Athletic Association)

Schuylkill County Women’s Athletic Association

recognizes 14 senior stars

Fourteen seniors from high schools across Schuylkill County were recognized as 2026 Female Scholar-Athletes, an honor sponsored by the Schuylkill County Women’s Athletic Association.

Each school selected one female who distinguishes herself through athletic achievement and academic strength, embodying the balance and leadership qualities long associated with the county’s scholar‑athletes.

The banquet took place April 26, 2026, at Mountain Valley Golf Course.

This year’s honorees:

Blue Mountain

Arpita Mishra

At Blue Mountain, Arpita Mishra, daughter of Dr. Manish Mishra and Arunima Mishra, competes in varsity swimming and diving and serves as captain of the varsity tennis team. She plans to study biology or public health with a minor in political science and hopes to continue on to medical school.

Mahanoy Area

Hailey Mroczka

Hailey Mroczka, daughter of Justin and Ashley Mroczka, represents Mahanoy Area. She plays volleyball, softball, track and field and basketball, earning district honors in several sports and serving as captain in volleyball and softball. She plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering and play Division I softball at Bucknell University.

Marian Catholic

Isabella Horvat

From Marian Catholic, Isabella Horvat, daughter of Joseph and Val Horvat, competes in volleyball, swimming, cross country and track and field. She is a two-year volleyball captain and plans to continue her volleyball career at King’s College while majoring in nursing.

Minersville Area

Grace Sterner

Minersville Area recognizes Grace Sterner, daughter of David and Suzanne Sterner. She is a four-year starter in both soccer and softball, a two-year captain in soccer and an All-State selection in softball. She plans to attend Elizabethtown College to earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Nativity BVM

Madeline Daynorowicz

At Nativity BVM, Madeline Daynorowicz, daughter of Brandon and Amanda Daynorowicz, competes in soccer, track and field and basketball, serving as captain of the soccer team. She plans to enter a six-year doctoral program in physical therapy.

North Schuylkill

Lyza Holmes

North Schuylkill honors Lyza Holmes, daughter of George and Jenny Holmes, a multi-sport athlete in softball, volleyball, cheerleading and unified bocce. She plans to study biology at Penn State before pursuing a master’s degree in physician assistant studies.

Panther Valley

Ava Alabovitz

Representing Panther Valley, Ava Alabovitz, daughter of Michael and Meredith Alabovitz, competes in softball, volleyball, basketball and golf. She plans to attend a four-year university to major in electrical engineering.

Pine Grove Area

Myla Fasnacht

From Pine Grove Area, Myla Fasnacht, daughter of Ryan and Joy Fasnacht, plays varsity soccer and track and field and serves as captain of the soccer team. She plans to study secondary English education and earn a certification in English as a second language.

Pottsville Area

Justine Siminitus

Pottsville Area recognizes Justine Siminitus, daughter of David and Karen Siminitus. She competes in soccer, basketball, softball and track and field, earning multiple district championships and first-team selections. She plans to major in biology on a pre-medical track.

Schuylkill Haven

Audrey Hutchinson

Schuylkill Haven honors Audrey Hutchinson, daughter of Megan Hutchinson, a three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball and track and field. She plans to pursue a business related master’s degree and hopes to contribute to a growing company after college.

Shenandoah Valley

Lucero Zavala Perez

From Shenandoah Valley, Lucero Zavala Perez, daughter of Moises Zavala and Maria Perez, competes in soccer, track and field and cross country and participates in band, student council and the National Honor Society. She plans to pursue a career in the dental field.

Tamaqua Area

Cecilia Ulicny

Tamaqua Area recognizes Cecilia Ulincy, daughter of Stephen and Johanna Ulincy. She competes in soccer and track and field, serves as president of multiple honor societies and plans to study psychology with the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist.

Tri-Valley

Marjorie Hoffman-Long

Tri-Valley honors Marjorie Hoffman-Long, daughter of Nick Hoffman and Melissa Hoffman-Long. She competes in soccer, track and field and varsity wrestling and plans to continue her athletic career in rugby at Brown University while majoring in political science.

Williams Valley

Quin Smeltz

Williams Valley recognizes Quin Smeltz, daughter of Greg and Sally Smeltz. She competes in soccer, basketball, softball and football, earning multiple All-Division and All-State honors. She plans to study biomedical engineering and continue her softball career at Messiah University.

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Together, these 14 students reflect the academic strength and athletic consistency that define high school sports in Schuylkill County. Many rank among the top students in their respective classes, and their teachers, coaches and principals describe them as disciplined, motivated and deeply committed to both their studies and their teams.

This year’s banquet recognized Cathy Heim, recipient of the 2026 Marie Murphy Award, honoring her 18 years of service to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and her steady support of intergenerational and community programs across the county.

The program also featured guest speakers Rachel (Ryan) Schoffstall and Brenda (Ryan) Hossler, both former scholar‑athletes whose careers continue to influence students across the region. Schoffstall, a 1987 Minersville graduate and multi‑sport competitor, draws on a high school career that includes state‑level success in cross country and two state softball championships, while Hossler, a 1990 Minersville graduate and standout three‑sport athlete, brings decades of experience as an educator, coach and volunteer.