ALIQUIPPA, Pa.--Recent Westminster graduates Alena Taladay (Ford City, Pa., Armstrong) and Tyler Davis (Eighty Four, Pa., Ringgold) were lauded Monday night by the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) at its annual Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet. The evening of celebration was held at The Fez in Aliquippa.
The event started with a reception for all attendees, followed by dinner and the introduction of the all honorees. Over 100 guests were on hand to join in the celebration of the 24 recognized scholar-athletes.
Each of the PAC's 12 full-time member institutions–Allegheny, Bethany, Chatham, Franciscan, Geneva, Grove City, Hiram, Saint Vincent, Thiel, Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg and Westminster, along with football affiliate Case Western Reserve–were represented by some of their most distinguished student-athletes at the event.
A native of Ford City, Pa., Taladay graduated May 9 with a bachelor's degree in early childhood and special education. A seven-time Dean's List selection and two-time PAC Academic Honor Roll honoree, she maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point average throughout her undergraduate career. She was the recipient of the Jerb Miller Scholarship, Clara E. Cockerille Memorial Scholarship, Mark Prosinski Scholarship, Ralph and Mary Lou McAllister Scholarship, and the McQuiston College Service Award. Taladay was also named a Dr. Darwin W. Huey Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the 21st annual WESPYS (Westminster Exceptional Sports Performances of the Year).
Taladay was a member of the Lambda Sigma and Pi Sigma Pi honor societies, served as president of the College's Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) chapter, and chaired Westminster's annual Lawrence County Special Olympics event, which brings together athletes, families, students, and volunteers from nine counties in a celebration of inclusion. She was also involved with Westminster's Little Library program, which promotes reading engagement and provides diverse books to children from low-income families.
A defender, Taladay appeared in 33 career matches, making 30 starts. She was named to the PAC All-Tournament Team in 2024 and earned Academic All-District® honors from the College Sports Communicators (CSC) last fall.
Taladay is currently working as a substitute teacher in the Armstrong School District.
Davis, a native of Eighty-Four, Pa., graduated May 9 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration. A seven-time Dean's List selection and four-time PAC Academic Honor Roll honoree, he maintained a 3.85 cumulative GPA throughout his undergraduate career. He was also named a Dr. Darwin W. Huey Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the 21st annual WESPYS.
Davis has been actively involved in community service, working with Washington County's annual Toys for Tots campaign in partnership with the United States Marine Corps, and volunteering at Wilmington Field Day, where Westminster student-athletes lead youth in a variety of sports activities. He has also served as a youth coach with the Ringgold Area Youth Soccer Association (RAYSA) and the Wilmington Area Soccer Club.
A defender, Davis appeared in 10 matches last fall, making eight starts.
Following graduation, he will begin his career in tax accounting, tax return preparation, and auditing with McCall Scanlon & Tice, LLC
With overwhelming support from the conference's presidents and athletic administrators, the PAC launched its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet in 2014 as another way to recognize the league's student-athletes for their athletic achievements, excellence in the classroom and outstanding community service efforts.
