Harold E. Matthew Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Harold E. Matthew Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2023 to honor Harold E. Matthew, an educator who spent his entire career in the Tulpehocken Area School District. The Fund awards scholarships each year to two graduating Tulpehocken seniors, one male, and one female, who have participated in at least one team sport in the Tulpehocken Area School District and who exemplify good sportsmanship. There is no requirement that the recipients continue sports participation after high school graduation.

After serving in the Army Air Force in World War II, using the benefits of the GI Bill, Mr. Matthew became the first person in his family to go to college. After graduating from what was then East Stroudsburg State Teachers College (now East Stroudsburg University), Mr. Matthew began his education career in 1953 at Penn-Bernville school, where he taught high school health and phys ed, science, social studies, and driver ed.

He became Penn-Bernville high school principal and building head in 1963. After the Tulpehocken Area School District opened its new high school 1965, Mr. Matthew moved there as assistant principal for the 1967-68 school year, becoming principal in 1966-67. He coached soccer, basketball, and baseball at Penn-Bernville for many years and actively supported all Tulpehocken male and female sports teams during his time at the high school.

Mr. Matthew served in several other administrative jobs in the district up to his retirement in 1986. Even after his retirement, Mr. Matthew remained committed to promoting good sportsmanship among high school athletes by remaining active on several PIAA district and state committees. He firmly believed that team sports are beneficial in fostering cooperation and good working relationships, giving student athletes the tools for a successful life.