A very strong characteristic that both Dominic Cuniglio III and Kevin Cunningham possess is the willingness to work to become better athletes, students and leaders in the community. Notre Dame’s Cuniglio and Allentown’s Cunningham have used a great work ethic to excel on the field and in the cla ssroom and it is because of their dedication that they have been chosen to represent their schools at the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 64nd Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner. The dinner begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday March 8th at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. Scholar-leader-athletes from 20 schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are being honored with $30,500 in scholarships awarded. For dinner/ticket information contact Steve Tuckerson at 609-202-4166 or email [email protected] While individuals from the coaching, officiating, collegiate and youth football ranks are honored, the stars of the program are the Scholar-Leader-Athletes of the Delaware Valley, chosen by their respective schools based on their achievements in academics, in their community, and on the playing field. All scholar-leader-athletes will receive at least a $1,000 scholarship, the Delaware Valley Chapter will also present the following top scholarships: $5,000 – Jack Stephen Scholarship, $4,000 Steven “Coach Gaz” Gazdek Scholarship, $3,000 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, $2,000 Ed Cook Scholarship and $1,500 Ed “Windy” Morris Scholarship. The Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American Award is the most prestigious award bestowed by the Chapter. This year’s recipient is Ken Fisher, Owner/President of Nassau Communications and a member of the Chapter’s Board of Directors for two decades. The Chapter’s George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football Award will recognize Jon Adams, who spent 33 years at Nottingham High School as head football coach and athletic director. Hank Johns Coaches Award is Stephen Everette, Burlington Twp., Brandon Deckard from West Windsor-Plainsboro will be recognized as the John McKenna Assistant Coaches Award, the Jack Milliard Officials Award will be presented to Will Mansfield, the Contribution to Youth Football Award will be presented to Darnell Taylor of the Florence Township Football League, the Delaware Valley Chapter Little Scholar is Brady Rowan, from the Hopewell Valley YFCA, the Eunice Kennedy Schriver Champion Award honoree is Joseph Burr, the Nick Gusz “Good Guy” Award will be presented to Bob Harris, the Tony Persichilli Meritorious Award goes to Breanne O’Neill, from WBCB, the Judge Arthur Lane/Princeton University Scholar-Leader-Athlete recipient is Marco Scarano and the Earl H. Dean/The College of New Jersey Scholar-Leader-Athlete is Dylan Patscher. The high school Scholar-Leader-Athlete seniors being honored are Allentown’s Kevin Cunningham, Bordentown’s Calvin Nice, Burlington Township’s Jordan Wimberly, Ewing’s Ryan Greig, Florence’s Conor Clevenger, Hamilton West’s Brody Hunt, Hightstown’s Aidan Schendlinger, Hopewell Valley’s Matthew Helmrich, Hun’s Alex Russey, Lawrence’s Zack Hartman, Lawrenceville’s Michael Zampardi, New Egypt’s Clyde Ferris, Notre Dame’s Dominic Cuniglio III, Pennington’s Bryce Werner, Princeton’s Anderson Potter, Robbinsville’s Drew Damasiewicz, Steinert’s Gabriel Pena Bak, Trenton’s Aivaye Ingram and West Windsor-Plainsboro’s Kavin Kumar. Cuniglio was the Chapter’s 2022 Little Scholar and it was only the beginning of his excellence in the classroom and on the field. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Italian National Honor Society and he served as a captain on the Irish football team this season making the All-West Jersey team. “Dom welcomed every lesson with a willingness to learn,’’ said Cheryl Harris, ND math teacher. “He took in new information with great enthusiasm and interest as to where formulas came from and how to find alternate routes to arrive at the same answer. Any time I taught the students how to check their solutions, Dom went all in. He was excited to use this knowledge on assessments. I loved seeing his reaction at his desk when he would check his solution and learn that it was correct. He also showed immense pride when he would master a concept. I loved seeing those successes in him. He certainly has a passion for learning.’’ Cuniglio brought that same passion to the football field. “Dominic Cuniglio is a truly remarkable young man who commits fully to all that he does because he is driven to be a success,’’ said Sean Clancy, the ND coach. “He’s humble, kind, ambitious, and fiercely competitive are not often adjectives that can be strung together, but they describe Dominic. He is destined to achieve at the highest level. Dominic is a top all-around member of our student body this year and embodies all of what we try to encourage in a young person. Dominic has grown in body, mind, and spirit while with us always willing to put the other person first.’’ It is the great character traits that has set Allentown’s Cunningham apart, as well. “What truly distinguishes Kevin is his character,’’ said Michael DeRisi, teacher and coach. “He understands that leadership is not about recognition, but about service, responsibility, and lifting others up.  I have personally seen Kevin demonstrate these actions countless times both on and off the field.  His actions reflect maturity well beyond his years and his influence has had a meaningful, positive impact on the culture of Allentown Redbird Football.’’ One of Cunningham’s greatest traits is his work ethic, on the field, in the classroom, with the Student Council and his outside employment. It is because of that total dedication and determination he is able to maintain a 3.445 GPA. “Kevin’s journey has also been marked by resilience,’’ said Allentown head football coach Andrew Lachenmayer. “He has battled through injuries throughout his career, yet never once allowed adversity to diminish his effort or his attitude. Instead, he approached each setback with determination, working tirelessly during rehabilitation and returning to the field stronger both mentally and physically. His perseverance has become a model for younger athletes, who look to Kevin as an example of how to respond to challenges with grit and purpose.’’ ...read more read less