Noel K Hertzog always set out to make a difference. Luckily for all of us, his impact can still be felt. A 1962 graduate of ELCO High School and went on to graduate with a degree in education from Penn State University in 1970. He later completed graduate work at Penn State and Marywood Universities. He taught in the ELCO School District for 35 years at the Fort Zeller and Schaefferstown Elementary Schools. In 2001 he was honored with the WITF & WGAL Great Teachers Making a Difference Jefferson Award. He retired from teaching in 2005. In 2009 he was inducted into the ELCO Hall of Fame. But he never did it for the recognition, his mission was to make a positive difference in the lives of everyone he encountered. Noel also founded the Newmanstown Playground and continued to manage it for over 25 years. He helped start the Newmanstown Music in the Park program.

Noel’s passing in February of 2013 has left a giant hole in both our hearts and the community. His life was a testament for hard work and effort. Now that he is gone, it is up to the community to take his lead and keep his good deeds going. Establishing this scholarship provides a way to continue helping students the way he would have wanted.