DIOCESE—In the Rockford Diocese, the national recognition — the St. Timothy Youth Award — is given to youth by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, in collaboration with the diocesan Life and Family Evangelization Office.  

 

Frequently given near graduation, award recipients are selected by diocesan parishes and schools.

 

It is the highest recognition from the NFCYM to a teen who demonstrates the following qualities: 

 

â–º Lives as a disciple of Christ, setting a positive example for other youth; 

 

â–º Witnesses to their faith by exhibiting Catholic morals and integrity; 

 

â–º Demonstrates Gospel values through service to others; 

 

â–º Exhibits Christian leadership in their school and community settings.

 

This spring’s recipients from parishes, grade and high schools in the diocese are:

 

Algonquin 

St. Margaret Mary Parish: Gabrielle Park

 

Aurora 

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish: Jakob Schmidt

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School: Molly Lambert

St. Peter Parish: Anne Marie Suchy

Aurora Central Catholic High School: Carla Carmona, Jack Lentz, Nicholas Wiesner

Marmion Academy: Harrison Tobin, Ramiro Martinez, Andrew Hill, Nicholas Coffman, Christopher Cedeño, Ryan Bennett

 

Cary 

SS. Peter and Paul Parish: Blake Stawarz, Bridget Heinhold, Delaney Blohm, Katie Zurzolo, Amanda Finch

 

Crystal Lake 

St. Thomas the Apostle School: Nicholas Schmid 

 

DeKalb 

St. Mary Parish: Giovanni Ramirez, Ashley Petricig

Christ the Teacher University Parish: Abigail Taylor

 

Elgin 

St. Joseph Parish: Zaira Flores

St. Edward Central Catholic High School: Andrew Stapay, Julia Heffelfinger

 

Freeport 

St. Joseph and St. Mary parishes: Oscar Torres-Ovalle

Aquin Catholic Schools: Mason McIntyre

 

Galena 

St. Michael Parish: Nicole Johnson

 

Geneva 

St. Peter Parish: Rebecca Feldhaus

 

Genoa 

St. Catherine of Genoa Parish: Madyson Block

 

Hampshire 

St. Charles Borromeo Parish: Ethan Olson, Jessica Dumoulin, Gavin Hatanaka, Jake Louis, Molly Gruber

 

Oregon 

St. Mary Parish: Austin Ebert

 

Rockford 

St. Bernadette Parish: Matthew Heitkamp, Rachel Hilby, Alexandra Cate Honkamp, Josie Finocchiaro

Boylan Central Catholic High School: Margaret Cielesz, Alex  Duke

 

Somonauk 

St. John the Baptist Parish: Aubrey Westbrook, Piper Runge

 

Sterling 

St. Mary School: Aaron Joseph Propheter

Sacred Heart Parish: Fernanda Reyes

Newman Central Catholic High School: Ryan Heuerman, Claire Glaudel

 

Sugar Grove 

St. Katharine Drexel Parish: Gianna DeLeo, Christopher Fountain, Joe Tonioni, Gracie Hare, Olivia Lech

 

Sycamore

St. Mary Parish: Malarie O'Sullivan, Robbie Sapita, Katie Theriault, Luke Malecki

 

Wonder Lake 

Christ the King Parish: Emma Johnson, Aurora Schock