The Faith Formation Office congratulates all of our graduating seniors in the Class of 2017! This year, we are also pleased to announce the winners of our first set of Awards for Graduating Seniors!
Diakonos Award for Outstanding Service
Diakonos is the Greek word for "service". This award of $250 recognizes a graduating senior for his/her outstanding witness to the faith through service to the parish and community.
This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have two winners: Elyssa Kasza and Marcela Prado-Zapata.
St. Thomas Aquinas Award for Academic Achievement
St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of universities and Catholic school students. This award of $250 recognizes a graduating senior for her/his outstanding witness to the faith through fruitful use of the student's academic talents.
This year's winner is Hailey DeRigo.
De La Salle Financial Need Award
St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle founded the religious congregation known in the United States as the "Christian Brothers". He was an education reformer and a pioneer in modern Catholic education. He focused on providing quality education for the poor and disadvantaged. In the spirit of de La Salle, this award of $250 is given to a deserving student based on financial need.
This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have two winners: Jazmine Manriquez-Mendoza and Brianna Taylor.
The Faith Formation Office would like to thank the organizations and individuals who have made this year's awards possible:
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Anonymous Donor
Columbiettes
Knights of Columbus
St. Mark's Active Retired Trend Setters (SMARTS)
and contributions from Faith Formation parents.
We would also like to recognize parishioner Anapaula Rios-Rosales, a recent graduate of Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, who received the Bishop Moore Award Scholarship from the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. This is a four-year scholarship to St. Leo University.
Congratulations to all of our award winners and the entire Class of 2017! We are all praying for you as you begin the next chapter of your life.