Each year the Concourse Club of Palmerton honors five Guiding Stars from the Palmerton Area High School. The Guiding Stars are chosen by a committee of high school educators in the district.

A Guiding Star must be a female student in the top 25 percent of the senior class and be involved in both school and community activities. Each Guiding Star receives a certificate, an engraved Guiding Star charm, and a $100 cash award.Monica Elizabeth Wood was recognized at the Feb. 4 Concourse Club meeting at St. John's Lutheran Church. Monica is the daughter of Roger and Mary Wood. She has a sister, Jaclyn, and a brother, Corlan.Monica's guests at the meeting were her parents and brother. She tearfully recognized her deceased fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Blaine House, as her guiding star. His teaching skills and gift of friendship motivates and inspires Monica to be the best person she can be.Monica's hobbies include soccer, drawing and painting, singing, manicuring her nails, baking and running.Concourse Club members enjoyed viewing Monica's sports awards as well as a beautiful drawing and painting.Her school activities include National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Art Club and Student Council.Monica currently runs the Teens-4-Jeans clothing drive. Other community activities include grade-school tutoring, volunteering at soup kitchens and National Honor Society events.Monica will further her education at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she will study business and entrepreneurship. The 2015 Times News girls soccer player of the year will also play Division I soccer at the school.The Concourse Club extends best wishes to Monica for continued success as she reaches for the stars and guides others.