BETHLEHEM, Pa. — NFL star and Whitehall High School alumnus Saquon Barkley made surprise visits to two Lehigh Valley high schools Tuesday, awarding $20,000 in scholarships to student-athletes through the Michael Ann and Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation.

At William Allen High School, Barkley and his family presented a $10,000 scholarship to senior Mikayla Makowka, a member of the girls volleyball team and the Allen A’s Student-Athlete Leadership Club. The crowd erupted in cheers as Barkley stopped by the school’s gym and also visited with the boys basketball team.

Later, Barkley visited Liberty High School, where he surprised girls basketball player Anijah Davis, Class of 2025, with another $10,000 scholarship.

Story continues · 1 min left
Read the rest of this story — freeWelcome back.That email didn’t go through.
Reader emails keep local news free, with no paywall. You’ll get our newsletter with the Valley’s top stories Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and that’s all we use it for. Do it once and every story stays open.You left the newsletter, so stories past here need your email again. Rejoin and every story opens.We couldn’t deliver to the address you gave. Use another one and every story opens.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy

Saquon Barkley holding a jersey (left) and Liberty High School student Anijah Davis (right) on Tuesday, Oct. 28 2025 (Photo Courtesy: Liberty High School)

Both visits were part of the Barkley family’s ongoing efforts to support youth and education in the Lehigh Valley. The foundation, named after Barkley and his mother, focuses on empowering students through scholarships, community programs and charitable giving.

“Thank you to the Michael Ann and Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation for supporting our student-athletes and giving back to our community,” Liberty High School said in a statement.

The two scholarships highlight Barkley’s continued connection to his hometown region and his commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders both on and off the court.