Last Friday, BPHS students ended their day with a little bit of fun to honor one of their peers. The marching band and cheerleaders kicked off the event and spread some school spirit as students arrived at the assembly.

9th period, students gathered in the auditorium with their teacher’s permission to watch KDKA reporter Bob Pompeani deliver the Allegheny Health Network Extra Effort Award to senior Alex Minton.

The Extra Effort Award is presented to an athlete who excels not only on the field, but also in school and in the community. Minton displays leadership each Friday night as the tailback of the varsity football team, while maintaining an impressive 4.15 grade point average.

He is also involved in NHS as well as the PACS Pals program which does activities with special needs students.

Bob Pompeani said, “This week we had about 175 nominations, and of that batch nobody had a 4.15 grade point average. And then I look at National Honor Society, Principal’s Advisory Committee, volunteering at your local church, and doing so much in the community; when you put it all together that’s a person who has a long line of success for his future, it’s a person who’s willing to work hard to obtain it, it’s a person who does give extra effort.”

Minton sent special thanks to his coaches, family, friends, teachers, the band, the cheerleaders, and his teammates for their continued support in his endeavors.

Minton’s top colleges are Lafayette, Allegheny, and Case Western, and with his outstanding abilities, he is sure to be able to pursue his goals in the future. Minton is the epitome of a well- rounded student and this award is well deserved.