Submitted Photo From left are Alex Borger’s grandparents, Steve and Liz Horsley; Alex, a recipient of the Joe Sarra Community Service Award; and his parents, Christin and Henry Borger.

Warren Area High School senior Alex Borger has excelled as a student-athlete. His hard work is paying off.

On Friday, he was awarded The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Central Pennsylvania Chapter, Joe Sarra Community Service Award, as well as a scholarship sponsored by Partners Financial Group (PFG).

The award is named in honor of long-time Penn State assistant coach Joe Sarra.

In addition to the prestigious Sarra Award, Borger — the son of Henry and Christin Borger — also received the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Central Pennsylvania Chapter, Scholar-Athlete Award, as one of 71 student-athletes to receive the honor. He was also awarded the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Central Pennsylvania Chapter, Scholarship, one of 15 student-athletes to receive it.

“This (Sarra Award) is a regional award that covers 27 counties in Pennsylvania and the competition is intensely fierce,” said Warren football coach Mark Morelli, adding it is the first time the Sarra Award was given to a Warren County School District student-athlete. Borger played football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and currently plays third base for the Dragons’ baseball team.

A District 10 region all-star playing multiple positions in football, Borger has also excelled academically, having earned the Warren Scholar Athlete Award in 2020, as well as being the National Honor Society president 2020-21, a Congress of Future Medical Leaders delegate, and a member of the Society of the Torch.

“Alex is an outstanding young man who is a leader and a team player,” said Morelli. “He was a mentor, role model and a player our younger kids looked up to.”

Borger claimed the Sarra Award based upon his outstanding community service. He has been an active member of the Warren community and beyond, participating in mission trips to Africa and the Dominican Republic. Borger has been active with the Praise Fellowship Church Success Fund, Warren Area High School TV Station, and the Sharing Place.

“Over my life, I have always felt a deep calling and connection to helping people,” Borger said. “So for me, it’s not about any recognition for what I’ve done, but if I am able to spread awareness and interest in helping other people, that’s the true achievement.

“Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and, I believe, have been integral in shaping me to become the man I am today,” he said. “Every sport I am personally involved in is a team-oriented sport, and the same lessons learned through these sports are very applicable to life as well. Through sports, I have learned the invaluable lessons of dedication, consistency, triumph, and so many more. Moreover, I believe sports should unite and bring people together for a greater good. In having been part of doing so within the Warren community for the past 18 years has been a huge blessing. With that being said, I would also like to thank the Warren-area community for their selfless generosity when supporting my teams each and every year, without fail.

“Although I have been very active in large outreach and overseas work, I believe the greatest gift one can give is simply having a good attitude and life-approach every single day,” said Borger. “Hopefully, by doing this, you are able to consistently uplift those around you and make each person you come into contact with a better person. As far as goals for the future, I would love to be a part of, or even organize, mission trips to areas like Latin America, South America, or even Europe to continue to work with the youth of the nations, a process I have found to be very rewarding.”

But first, Borger’s senior season with the Dragons continues at McDowell today.

Borger will continue his education as a economics major, with a minor in cultural studies, at the University of Pittsburgh this fall.

“We are thankful to Coach Morelli for believing in Alex and nominating him for this honor,” said Alex’s mother, Christin. “We would like to thank his teachers, administrators and coaches for pouring their time, wisdom and hearts into Alex. And we are especially thankful to so many who have given Alex chances to serve and learn who he is at his core, both here and abroad. Alex has truly been blessed by God.”