​School honorees encounter the Gospel of Christ and promote Catholic values

School honorees encounter the Gospel of Christ and promote Catholic values

Each year, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, bestows the Archbishop’s Medallion Awards upon a Catholic High School senior from each of Catholic high school who is committed to assist the school, parish and community to encounter the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to promote Catholic teachings and values.

The medallion is embodied with the archbishop’s coat-of-arms and his crest and is presented to the student at the baccalaureate ceremony. Recipients also receive a congratulatory letter from the archbishop, and he hosts a reception for the recipients of the medallion and their families on the first Tuesday in June.

This year, that gathering took place June 8 at the Assumption Seminary Student Center Auditorium.

Students honored were Carolina “Nina” Alvarea of Antonian College Preparatory High School, Joshua Navaira of Holy Cross of San Antonio, Sophia Zaldivar of Incarnate Word High School, Samuel Cummings of Our Lady of the Hills Regional Catholic High School in Kerrville, Kristen Howell of Providence Catholic School, Andrea Villanova of St. Anthony Catholic High School, Tessa Cantu of St. Gerard Catholic High School, Edward J. Briseno of Central Catholic High School, and Catey Borja and St. John Paul II High School.

Established in 2000, criteria for the awards are that the student must be Catholic and be confirmed, be attending a Catholic high school for a minimum of three academic years, be actively involved in parish and community service programs, and demonstrate spiritual leadership within the school, parish, or community.

A teacher or administrator nominates student, writes a justification for the nomination, and the student’s pastor endorses the nomination. A selection process by the administration is used to determine the recipient.

At the ceremony on June 8, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Marti West and Archbishop Gustavo praised the honorees for the parish, school, and community involvement.