The Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) recently celebrated 43 students receiving a combined $521,000 in scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year during its Scholarship Awards Ceremony at St. Francis Xavier in Phoenix earlier this month.

Scholarship recipients, their families and friends, educators and CCF board members gathered to recognize the students’ academic accomplishments, commitment to service and continued growth in faith.

CCF welcomed Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares who led attendees in prayer during the celebration of Catholic education, service and faith.

The $521,000 awarded included scholarships through the Catholic Community Foundation Scholarship, Christian Service Award and Ralph M. Knight Scholarship. Together, these programs support students pursuing a Catholic education while recognizing academic achievement, service to others, leadership and commitment to faith.

For Evelyn Angner, a Xavier College Preparatory student and Christian Service Award recipient, service is an opportunity to put her God-given gifts into action.

“I believe that one of my main goals in life is to try as hard as I can to project my gifts and talents to the best of my abilities into the world and others,” Angner said. “I think doing different acts of service really projects that into my life.”

Angner credited her Catholic education with encouraging her to become involved in her community from an early age.

“My school wanted us to get involved in the community as many ways as possible at a young age, and it helped build my confidence to reach out to people and help any way I can,” she said.

As she continues her education at Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, Angner said she hopes to expand the ways she serves others by exploring new clubs and opportunities to become involved.

Her reflections represent the spirit celebrated throughout the Scholarship Awards Ceremony: young people growing in faith, serving others and preparing to become leaders within their schools, parishes and communities.

Serving Arizona since 1983, CCF partners with individuals, families, organizations and parishes to steward charitable gifts in support of Catholic causes and community needs. Through donor-advised funds, endowments and charitable giving programs such as the Giving Circle, CCF works to strengthen ministries, support the Church and advance the mission of Catholic philanthropy for generations to come.