CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The 20th annual Celebration Awards was held at DeSales University on Wednesday.

The ceremony highlights the accomplishments of those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

12 recipients from Lehigh and Northampton Counties were presented with awards.

“Sometimes this population is overlooked, and they’re just not recognized the way they should be recognized for overcoming their disability and the things that are barriers in their lives,” said Jackie Andrews of the Celebration Awards Committee.

Andrews explained that the winners are nominated by their peers.

“They’re nominated by people in their community that they come in contact with every day,” Andrews stated.

Gabe Schaff of Northampton County won this year’s Exemplary Citizenship Award. Those who nominated Schaff say he’s dedicated the last decade to volunteering in the community and has spent countless hours with Meals on Wheels.

Schaff told us he was happy to be honored.

Chase Rossanese, also of Northampton County, received an award in Education Achievement for his good grades and involvement in extracurriculars.

“I’m just really proud of being here,” Rossanese said.

Rossanese told 69 News he’s going to Northampton Community College for theater and was Inspired after performing on stage during last year’s Freddy awards.

“Performing on the stage is something I’ve always wanted to do. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to do it again,” Rossanese stated.

This year’s Lehigh County winners are: Trevor Hammond (Education Achievement), Taylor Ferlazzo (Employment Achievement), Justin Kaniper (Exemplary Citizenship), Christopher Ayala (Personal Achievement), Brian Miller (Self Advocacy Achievement) and Samuel ‘Sam’ Fahringer (Transition Achievement).

This year’s Northampton County winners are: Chase Rossanese (Education Achievement), Joshua Hornbaker (Employment Achievement), Gabe Rivera-Schaff (Exemplary Citizenship), Joann Pinto (Personal Achievement), Joshua Groff (Self Advocacy Achievement) and Kyla Kilpatrick (Transition Achievement).

“It’s just amazing to watch our individuals flourish with the right supports in place that allow them to overcome these barriers,” Andrews concluded.