Dear Readers:
Local food bank volunteer, mentor, coach for CYO sports, lector, altar server, member of evangelization group, holder of 700+ service hours, school ambassador, Ladauto Si’ conservation advocate, hurricane clean-up volunteer, campus minister, tutor. The NCEA 2024 Youth, Virtues, Valor and Vison Awards, in partnership with Archangel Education + Technology, honored 12 Catholic school students nationwide for their selfless service. The pride of their schools and families, these young people represent the best of Catholic education working in our communities.
Teacher, principal, superintendent, school president, director—a combination of exceptional Catholic school professionals headlines the NCEA 2024 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards. The 11 honorees are advocates for Catholic education, investing deeply in and modeling faith formation and evangelization within their school and parish communities.
Two principals, a retired business owner, a parish pastor and a high school capstone project are the five recipients of the NCEA 2024 President’s Awards. In the spirit of five past NCEA presidents, all the awardees embody the virtues of faith, leadership and ministry. They continue to impact their communities through change, devotion and inspiration.
This year’s NCEA 2024 Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education Award winners include: the longest-serving Trinitarian in the Archdiocese of Washington’s DeMatha High School’s history; a tireless superintendent from the Diocese of Youngstown; an inspiring superintendent from the Diocese of Pittsburgh; a retired principal from Indiana’s Lafayette Catholic School System; and a retired superintendent from the Diocese of San Bernardino committed to socially equitable Catholic education. Over a lifetime in Catholic education, these honorees leave an indelible mark of promise and faithfulness to their communities.
You can learn more about all of the NCEA award honorees on pages 46 - 48 in this issue of Momentum. And learn more, still, at www.NCEA.org/awards.
From fourth grader to principal to superintendent to retiree and all the points in between, the common thread among this year’s awards recipients is the indelible mark they leave on their communities. In Catholic education, the notion of community transcends mere proximity or shared interests; it embodies a sacred communion bound by faith, love and service. Our schools serve as beacons of unity, where educators, students, families, alumni and local neighborhoods come together in a shared journey of growth and grace.
Rooted in the teachings of Christ, Catholic education fosters a sense of belonging and interdependence, nurturing relationships that extend beyond the classroom walls. Through prayer, service initiatives and mutual support, our Catholic schools create a vibrant tapestry of community life, where each member is valued, respected and called to contribute to the common good. Embracing the essence of community, Catholic education instills in its students the values of compassion, solidarity and stewardship, empowering them to become caring leaders who continue to serve as beacons of light in a world hungering for unity and fellowship.
Congratulations to all of the NCEA 2024 Awards recipients!