Palmerton athlete wins Memorial Scholarship Award

Chris Walkowiak (football coach), Matthew Machalik, and Paula Husar (HS principal) pose at this year’s award ceremony.

On March 3, 2024, Matthew Machalik, Palmerton Area Senior High School senior, won the Edward J. Watto Memorial Scholarship Award at the 64th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards for the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation. This award honors a student athlete that excels in football performance, academic achievement and school leadership.

Machalik serves as a captain of both the football and basketball teams. He earned all-league and all-state honors in football. During his football career, Machalik passed for 6,055 yards and ran for 5,447 yards, becoming the first player in state history to exceed 5,000 yards in both rushing and passing.

Machalik also participates in many other school activities. He is a member of student council, gridiron club and FBLA. He volunteers with the Bo Tkach Turkey Day Trot, youth summer camp, youth football and Trees in the Park. He is also an Honor Roll student.