Quaker Valley’s Hunter Kronk recognized for efforts on, off the field, ice

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 12:01 AM

Previous Next

Hunter Kronk has been a dual-sport student-athlete at Quaker Valley throughout his high school career.

The 17-year-old Kronk, who plays hockey and lacrosse, earned “gold star” plaudits at QV this year. He was presented with his school’s Honor Award and Zero Hunger Hero Award.

“I honestly didn’t know there was even a formal award tied to the hours I spent volunteering, so I was definitely surprised to be recognized. I just wanted to help out,” Kronk said. “Being recognized alongside other students at Quaker Valley was a good reminder that small efforts really do add up. I’m grateful to my school and the organizations for the acknowledgment.”

The Honor Award is part of the National Community Service Awards program and recognizes students who completed at least 60 hours of service in 2024-25 in support of the U.N. Global Goals.

“For me, it represented a commitment to helping others and being consistent with showing up for causes I care about,” Kronk said.

The Zero Hero Hunger Award, given by Kroger, recognized students who work to combat hunger in the community.

“That one felt especially meaningful because it focused on making sure people have enough food to eat,” Kronk said. “I first learned about the award through the InnerView platform, where I track my service hours. It sent me an email once I reached a certain number of hours related to different causes.

“They sent me award certificates to my email and through the InnerView app. I didn’t know Quaker Valley (High School) was aware of the awards until they posted about it on Instagram.”

The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Kronk is a winger on QV’s hockey team. He will be a senior and third-year varsity team member in 2025-26.

QV’s hockey coach, Kevin Quinn, was not jolted by Kronk’s recent recognition. And he certainly wasn’t at a loss for words.

“We are proud of our QV hockey team and all they do on and off the ice. It’s a well-deserved honor for Hunter,” Quinn said. “He is a very smart young man that works very hard on and off the ice. He is self-motivated. He has a great attitude as well as, definitely, a sense of humor — all great qualities in a player and teammate.”

Kronk is a “coach’s dream” according to QV’s veteran hockey boss.

“Hunter brings it every game for us,” Quinn said. “He is one of the tougher, most physical players on our team. He is hard-working, respectful and very easy to coach.

“My favorite attribute is he never makes excuses. He wants to get better so he can help the team win. He has worked very hard to be a factor on our team and will be counted on even more in 2025-26.”

Kronk is explicitly looking forward to the upcoming hockey season. The Quakers racked up a 21-2-1 record in 2024-25 after going 1-1 in the PIHL playoffs.

QV skated past West Allegheny, 10-0, in the first round and lost a tight 6-5 decision to Avonworth in the quarterfinals. Avonworth went on to capture the Penguins Cup Class A championship.

“My expectation for the season is to get as far as possible (as a team) but at the same time cherish every moment,” Kronk said. “A majority of our team will be seniors, and none of us knows when it could be our last game. We’ve been playing together for years and have a strong bond with each other and with coach Quinn

“We are going to play every game with the intent to advance and hopefully go all the way to the state championship. This expectation will not only be made possible by the players but also by our veteran coach. Kevin Quinn has led multiple championship teams (at QV) in the past.”

The QV award recipient also is a starting midfielder on the boys lacrosse team and has played the sport for four years. The Quakers finished 9-5 overall after qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs.

Kronk has been presented with the Lacrosse Coaches Award for his “leadership, integrity, dedication and strong work ethic” for three consecutive seasons.

He also won the 2025 Lacrosse Hard Hat Award which goes to “the player who consistently demonstrates in-game blue collar effort, sheer will, focus, work ethic, pride and commitment to the success of the team.”

Thanks to his 4.77 GPA and 1,540 SAT score, Kronk is a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club and serves as a Peer Help Desk volunteer.

This year, he received the Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen Award, along with the Harvard Prize Book Award, which is granted by the Harvard Alumni Association to “an outstanding student in the next-to-graduating class who displays excellence in scholarship with high character, combined with achievement in other fields.”

He was nominated for the Trib Total Media accolade by Amy Richardson, director of development and communications at the Sewickley Valley YMCA.

Kronk also is the founder and website creator of Sustain Sewickley, which connects non-profits with volunteers.

And he was co-founder of the Mini Free Food Program in a partnership with the Sewickley Valley YMCA.

The scholar-athlete was joined by an adept group of honorees at Quaker Valley this year.

Chelsea Cherock received the Honor Award while Madelyn Main landed the Zero Hero Hunger Award. Merit Awards went to Grace Carver, Mia Gartley, Katherine Linge and Molly Millet.

Lily Sinclair, Ryan Steinfurth and Jay Olawaiye served as “honored student speakers” at their high school graduation ceremony; the QV senior class also included poet laureate Jack Miller.

Along with Kronk, several of the aforementioned students have participated in QV’s athletic program during their scholastic careers, including Main (track and field), Carver (volleyball, softball), Gartley (track and field, volleyball), Millet (girls lacrosse, cheerleading), Steinfurth (swimming) and Olawaiye (tennis, track and field).

Steinfurth also was a finalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program and Olawaiye was a WPIAL James Collins Scholar-Athlete Award recipient.

There were 135 graduates at QV this year.

Tags: Quaker Valley