13 eighth-graders awarded scholarships for high school

By Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun
April 19, 2007

The call to serve others is a pillar of the Gospel message. The Catholic Community Foundation recognized 13 eighth-grade students who have taken that call seriously at its annual Christian Service Awards ceremony April 11.

“The Christian Service Award is a tangible and meaningful initiative in realizing the vision of Christ within our community,” said Donna Marino, president and CEO of the Catholic Community Foundation.

The award is open to all eighth-graders “who demonstrate commitment and devotion to the community through service,” she said.

The Catholic Community Foundation awarded each of the students an $8,000 scholarship to the Catholic high school of their choice.

More than 70 students applied for the award this year. The applicants must first be nominated by an adult non-family member who finds the students’ service in the areas of their school, parish and community to be exemplary.

Then, the students must provide the Catholic Community Foundation with a record of their service activities, submit three letters of recommendation and write an essay on a Scripture passage.

This year’s prompt was from the Gospel of Matthew: “You are the light of the world. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

In his prayer opening the awards ceremony, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted recognized the importance Christian service plays in the well-being of the community.

“We come together in prayer and praise to honor the work of those who have centered their lives on the principles of Jesus Christ,” the bishop said.

“We acknowledge that our unity in faith requires nourishment and can be deepened by joining hands as a community in work, study and prayer to become stewards of Christ,” he said.

Marino echoed Bishop Olmsted’s sentiments when she addressed the award recipients.

“Your stewardship to Christ enriches the community with the vision of love that God bestows upon each of us,” she said.