Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry - The Eagle of the Cross 2007 Eagle of the Cross Awards Recipients The following high school juniors and seniors were honored. We congratulate these young people who have been fine Christian Witnesses in their communities. We also thank the adults who took the time to nominate them, and the judges for selecting this year's Eagle of the Cross Awardees. Alexandra Theresa Audi Our Lady of Peace, Canton Senior, St. Thomas Aquinas High School Alexandra is a living witness as one who is truly about building the Kingdom of God. She can be firm with out being strident. More importantly, she lives what she talks about. Both students and her teachers know this and respect her for it. The greatest commandment is to love and love is at the heart of all that Alix is and does. Joseph Beckwith St. Patrick, Kent Senior, Theodore Roosevelt High School Always ready to offer a kind word, encouragement and empathy, Joe is quick to praise and thank others. He is the oldest of 5 boys and his brother Ryan became involved in Youth Ministry in part because of Joseph’s enthusiasm. His service projects include helping out at a homeless shelter, Center of Hope, and he helped Catholic Charities move to a new location. He attended the Diocesan Youth Convention and Youth Congress. Catherine Campbell Blessed Sacrament, Warren Senior, Kennedy Catholic High School In the Talmud it is written that to save one life is to save the world. In Talmudic terms, Catherine has saved the world several times. Catherine is a commissioned Lay Leader of Prayer and a lector, which she handles with grace and aplomb. She is a member of the parish Worship and Spiritual Growth Commission and has attended three times, “One Bread, One Cup”—St. Meinrad’s annual liturgical conference designed for teens. At OBOC she has formed bonds with teens who attended both in the parish and throughout the country. Marissa Cullen St. Charles, Boardman Senior, Cardinal Mooney High School Marissa is a classic example of a “cheerful” giver. In the Youth Ministry program, Marissa has helped with Fish Fry’s, outreach programs to the poor, a Santa Claus lunch for children at St. Ed’s, and the Passion Play. When she was named Lay Director of the Celebrate Retreat weekend, the joy in her heart sparkled through her eyes. Meghan Mary Dixon Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Warren Senior, John F. Kennedy High School Meghan leads youth ministry, serves as and trains altar servers, and was chosen as the youth representative to Parish Council. She chooses a circle of friends who share her values and always keeps the commitments she makes. Born on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe she has a special devotion to Mary. Meghan also received the Knights of Columbus leadership and service scholarship-2007. Kathryn G. Filarski Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora Junior, Aurora High School Stepping outside her comfort zone, Katy recruited a team to help with the Knights of Columbus Special Olympics Bowl-a-thon, and came away with a motivating, fun experience. She is simple, trusting and practical. “You just do the best you can, and let God take over from there.” She plays piano in benefits for Alzheimers research, joined CROP Walk for the hungry and participated in the Relay for Life. Deanne L. Frank Regina Coeli, Alliance Senior, St. Thomas Aquinas High School Deanne’s involvement in the parish shows us all what young Catholic Christians are capable of. Consistent at Masses, she is a lector who reads beautifully! Involved in the youth group Deanne volunteers her services often, participates in social service projects helping the needy, and is a role model to everyone, especially our younger parishioners. Erin Lynne Gursky St. Michael the Archangel, Canton Senior, Central Catholic High School Erin shows respect and reverence for her faith and goes out of her way to be as Christ-like as possible in her every day life. She has literally been involved in every service opportunity; even though only 12 hours per semester are required for National Honor Society, her volunteer hours number in the hundreds. She has traveled to Washington D.C. to be part of the March for Life. Edward Hazboun Blessed Sacrament, Warren Senior, John F. Kennedy High School Coming from a sound Catholic home, Ed is very active both in school and home parish activities. Ed is a reader and distributor of the Eucharist, and is also a soccer coach for the 7th and 8th graders. His all around positive attitude make him someone who people want to be around. He participated in Diocesan Youth Days, Warren’s Relay for Life, and helps co-ordinate the Blood Drive at school. Jeannette Marie Iskander St. Patrick, Hubbard Senior, Ursuline High School Jeannette is a true friend who helped two close friends through the illness and death of their mother. She represents Ursuline in both Theater and Speech Team, which are huge time commitments. Jeannette is a reader at church, has helped with Bible School, and is also a member of Ursuline’s Theater Department, and International Thespian Society and Speech Team. Christina M. Johnson St. Michael the Archangel, Canton Senior, Central Catholic High School Very conscientious in living out Christian values, Christy displays sincere concern for what is right and the welfare of others. She has sought out ways to deepen her spiritual life by attending retreats and spirituality conferences. Christy is a member of the Pro-Life Youth Congress and president of her school’s Right to Life organization. Mallory A. Johnson Mother of Sorrows, Ashtabula Junior, SS. John and Paul High School Mallory’s “never-giving-up” attitude sees her through her frequent trips to Cleveland for shots and blood transfusions. She stands up for her values and her peers admire her for her open-mindedness. Mallory always wants to make others feel good, including her grandmother, and is not afraid to openly pray for them and with them. Johanna Marie Kochevar Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Ashtabula Junior, SS. John and Paul High School To watch a young lady enjoy the Catholic faith as much as Johanna gives us all hope for the future. She is considerate of others feelings and is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Johanna gave up going to a state of the art school building to go to a small Catholic school, and often says she cannot imagine going to school where she cannot practice her faith on a daily basis. Victoria Sanyu McBride St. Edward, Youngstown Senior, Ursuline High School A stellar person who has enriched our school life in diverse and meaningful ways, Vickey inspires us with her enthusiastic embrace of Gospel living. Her intellectual curiosity and dedication to excellence have earned her admission to the University of Notre Dame. Her resolute tranquility about her choices in behavior, speech, and her empathy for others—no matter their status—make her a solid rock to her friends. Elaine Miller St. Patrick, Youngstown Junior, Cardinal Mooney High School Kind and levelheaded, Elaine is concerned more with hearts and souls – not merely appearances. Elaine also was a regular at Youth Bible Study Nights and worked each summer at Vacation Bible School. She mentored two First Communion children, is a Mass Server and planned a Youth Camping trip in 2005. She attended the Diocesan Youth Convention in 2004, National Catholic Youth Conference in 2005, was a Chrism Mass representative in 2006, and has served on ACTION for 3 years. Kaitlin E. Moran St. Charles Borromeo, Boardman Senior, Cardinal Mooney High School Through her involvement in Life Teen, Celebrate, CCD, and Confirmation programs as well as liturgical ministry, Kaitlin spends more time at church and for church than most adults. Kaitlin has visited the elderly, assisted in food drives and contributed to the Wishing Tag program this Christmas and assisted in many other capacities that often go unnoticed. Elena Marie Pipino Blessed Sacrament, Warren Junior, John F. Kennedy High School Elena is a fine student and caring young lady. Her nominator was impressed with her honesty in a special Heritage Festival Project in the course “Catholic Social Teaching.” This young person is up front about moral challenges in contemporary culture. She has received the Girl Scout Gold Award, is active with Speech & Debate at JFK, is Captain of the Golf team, is a Cheerleader, and has received the Marian Award. Karl Roshong St. Joan of Arc, Canton Senior, Perry High School Since he entered first grade at CCD, Karl always wanted to “fully” participate in his church community. He has helped with Stations, is a Eucharistic Minister and a prayer leader at our Youth Ministry sessions. He participated in Canton Area Crop Walk, Hammer and Nails, Parish Mustard Seed outreach, visits the elderly, and has helped at the Migrant Workers center and many others as well. Joseph St. George St. Charles Borromeo, Boardman Senior, Cardinal Mooney High School A human energy source, Joseph has always agreed to help with a most willing, humble spirit. He is a born leader and feels a moral obligation to be a good Christian role model. Prayer keeps him grounded and is essential in his daily life. Joseph credits his growth in speaking and leadership skills to his pastor, Fr. Dan Venglarik. Joseph also reads to the blind over Reading Radio and has worked tirelessly for many outreach projects to the poor. Abigail Schuster St. Paul, Salem Senior, Salem High School Abi is inspirational when you see how devoted she is with her time, talents and energy to the church. She is a lector and an Altar Server and also sings with the Youth Choir. She participated in Celebrate weekend, the 30-hour famine and is one of the first to always lend a hand. Abi is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council and Teens Against Chemical Taking. Sheila Renee Sherman St. Mary/St. Frances Cabrini, Conneaut Junior, Conneaut High School Sheila, by her involvement in church activities, liturgical ministries and participation in the sacraments gives an excellent example of generous service. She is a member of the Explorers for Conneaut Fire Station 3; volunteers for Safety Town, tutors at Right Track and is helping to re-establish the parish Youth Group. Sheila has a positive attitude about life, is a member of National Honor Society and attended the National Catholic Youth Conference in Atlanta. Rebecca Thomas St. Joan of Arc, Canton Junior, Perry High School “With God all things are possible”—if Rebecca had a motto, that would be hers. Her respect for others, and sincere love of living her faith is so refreshing to see in a young adult. Using her gift of public speaking, she is a Lector, leads prayer at Youth Ministry gatherings, and has prepared prayers for our Confirmation Retreat. She has attended the Diocesan Youth Convention in 2004 and 2006. Elizabeth Tredent Mother of Sorrows, Ashtabula Senior, Lakeside High School Elizabeth is a young woman of outstanding ability and talent, is well regarded by her peers, and was elected student council president. In her own words she says: “Without prayer, my life would be incomplete. When my life is at its most intense and stressful moments, I look to God for strength. I am positive that the power of prayer is the reason my mother survived brain cancer. Since her diagnosis, God has become my guide throughout my life.” Return to Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry