St. Timothy Award for Young People The St. Timothy Award is the highest recognition from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry that a diocese can confer on a junior or senior high school youth who lives as a disciple of Christ, sets a positive example for other youth, witnesses to their faith by exhibiting Catholic morals and integrity, demonstrates Gospel values through service to others, and exhibits Christian leadership in parish, school, and/or community settings. A tall order indeed! We are pleased to recognize the following young people. As you are named, please come forward to accept your award from Bishop Malooly and then assemble in front of the stage to be recognized as a group. Madeline Webb, Saints Peter and Paul Parish and High School Currently in eleventh grade, Maddie attends Saints Peter and Paul High School where she is an exemplary student. She serves as a Confirmation peer minister and has assisted in the Sacramental Program Retreat. She has been an altar server, a very active member of the NCYC Team, and volunteers for a variety of parish and school fundraising events and service opportunities. She stands apart in the humble and gentle way in which her life enriches all those around her as she teaches others how to live a life that is Christ like. Emily Calvetti, St. John the Baptist/Holy Angels Emily has been involved in almost every aspect of Youth Ministry, from participation in CYM Athletics to service to the parish community as an acolyte, cantor, and lector. She has been instrumental in the re-establishment of a comprehensive Youth Ministry program at Holy Angels, serves on the Parish Youth Leadership Team, the Diocesan Board for CYM, and is member of the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team. In addition to her parish ministry, Emily is actively involved in various ministries and service at St. Mark's High School. Andrew Chicosky, Immaculate Conception Andrew, a senior at Salesianum High School, represents Immaculate Conception Parish on the diocesan Youth Leadership Team. As a Boy Scout, he is a role model and leader for younger scouts. Andrew participates in liturgical ministry, having served as an altar server and now as an usher. He is active in the parish and attends summer mission trips, retreats, and the March for Life in Washington, DC. At Salesianum, he is a member of the Encounter team and serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Andrew witnesses to his faith by living gospel values. 13
Bridget Walters, Holy Cross Bridget is not only one a Peer Leader; she is one that all the others admire. She attends all youth ministry life-night functions, helps with Summer religious education classes, facilitates Confirmation Prep, serves on the youth board, takes on a leadership role on retreats and attends all service projects. She does all that while still being a participant in her school s athletic program. Bridget is a positive role model for all of her peers. Gretchen Rodammer, Padua Academy St. Francis desales said, Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing as gentle as true strength. This describes Gretchen perfectly. She quietly does whatever needs to be done, often without being asked, and does so without ever seeking attention or reward. She serves as a retreat leader and altar server and teaching religious education in her parish. She coaches in Special Olympics and is a member of Blue/Gold. Gretchen truly understands the call to use her gifts to make a difference. She epitomizes servant leadership. Molly Wierzbowski, St. Mary Magdalen Molly has been involved at St Mary Magdalen since her family came to the parish in 1998. Since being Confirmed, she has helped to lead retreats and facilitate events like Walk to Easter, Vacation Bible School, and Stations of the Cross. Service is a very important part of Molly's faith life and through the Pitcher and Basin program she has developed an affinity for Habitat for Humanity. This year Molly was selected to be a Youth Ambassador for the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis as well a member of the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team. Molly regularly serves as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Faith Lyons, St. Joseph on the Brandywine Faith is active in her parish, school and wider community. She has been a lector since eighth grade and began helping in Religious Education classes a few years ago. She now takes an active role in preparing and teaching lessons. Faith organized The Alumni and Faculty -Student basketball game to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and other causes. She participated in a group service project to New Orleans and the following year initiated, planned and arranged a return trip with a new group of students. 14
Kendall Cresci, St. Elizabeth High School Kendall is an outgoing and positive young lady. She is a successful student in honors classes. She exemplifies the Benedictine spirit and was recently installed as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She has been a coach and mentor for the St. Elizabeth Elementary School cheerleaders, contributing countless hours to help them improve their skills and more importantly, ensure that they have fun. This past summer, Kendall participated on the Girls' Summer Service Immersion Trip to the Benedictine Monastery in Ridgely, MD. While there, she worked in the Benedictine School and St. Martin's Ministries. Cecilia Cicone, Ursuline Academy "CeCe" exemplifies Christian leadership. She is honest, fair, kind and generous with her time and talents. She demonstrates Catholic morals and integrity. She is a member of the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team, a Extraordinary Ministry of Holy Communion, lector and musician for school liturgies, a group leader for student retreats and an active member of her parish youth group. She has traveled to Peru to build bamboo houses, raised money for the homeless in Camden, taught orphans to play lacrosse, and recruited other students to participate in solidarity walks and the Diocesan Pilgrimage. Kennedy Kowalski, St. Catherine of Siena Kennedy has always had a heart for helping others. By her words and, more importantly, her actions, she always looks at others with the eyes of Christ. The life that she lives reflects her strong faith. Her decisions and her life show that she wants a relationship with Christ no matter what the cost. From being a Teen Leader on a Confirmation Retreat or spending seven days in West Virginia at work camp, Kennedy is always open to doing God's will. Emily DelPizzo, St. Catherine of Siena For the past three years, Emily has been part of the teen leadership group in her parish. Her desire to help others is evident in how she lives her life and the choices she makes. Sharing her faith on retreats and work camp trips is a constant with Emily. Never afraid to share her faith, or deny that she loves God, Emily lives her faith proudly and publicly. 15
Mary Beth Gooding, St. Jude the Apostle Mary Beth has served as an usher for six years and Lector at Youth Reconciliation Services. She is a member of Best Buddies International at Cape Henlopen High School, where she is a senior and a mentor for children with Autism. She is in the National Honor Society and the Key Club, and is on the Soccer and Swim teams. Always willing to lend a hand, Mary Beth is a role model for her peers. Kaitlyn Mills, St. John the Beloved For the past four years she has been an active member of youth ministry, serving on the advisory team, as a Catechist in the Confirmation program, and a volunteer at the majority of parish functions. When Kaitlyn takes advantage of opportunities like Pitcher and Basin or NCYC, she returns a stronger, more faithfilled individual. Many of the adult leaders are inspired by Kaitlyn's maturity in her faith life. Kaitlyn is a student at Wilmington Charter and heads to DeSales University in the Fall. Andrea Dossantos (Doe-Sant-Toes), St. Joseph in Middletown Andrea is a senior at Middletown High School. Her life is a reflection of her values and core beliefs. Her leadership among her peers is motivated by her desire to see them achieve greatness and reject mediocrity. Whether it s in the goalie box on the soccer pitch or up to her knees in concrete at work camp, Andrea s attitude of determination and positivity rarely shifts. She provides support for her peers and a clear example to adults. In the fall, Andrea will begin the Pre-Med program at Rosemont College, on an academic scholarship. Matthew Corkell, St. Bernadette Matthew represents St. Bernadette s on the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team and this year was elected to serve as chairperson for the YLT for the Pilgrimage Committee. Matthew is a lector and altar server. He always exhibits strong Catholic values and integrity. He regularly visits the residents at the Milford Veterans Home and is a witness to our faith. 16
Brandon Tuozzolo, St. Margaret of Scotland Brandon has been involved at Saint Margaret's Parish as an altar server and for the past two years as a member of the parish Youth Leadership Team. He is currently a senior at Salesianum where he plays football and baseball. He is a person of prayer and quiet contemplation. Brandon's faith shines most brightly through his compassion for others. He never leaves anyone behind, reaches out to others, and gives to all his undivided attention. Danielle Hoppel, Good Shepherd Danielle conducts herself with integrity and humility. Her genuine kindness, pure motives, and modesty reflect her character and witness to her faith. Knowledgeable in our faith and social justice issues, and motivated to serve, she planned and orchestrated many activities for young people including pro-life events, dances, and service projects. She serves on Parish council and the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team and demonstrates sensitivity and respect for all. Patrick O Kane, Resurrection Patrick is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and serves the parish faithfully. Patrick can be found on Sunday mornings volunteering with the Religious Educations students and shows up before classes begin with a ready and willing attitude. For his Eagle Scout project he made improvements to the parish s existing prayer garden by cleaning up vegetation and building four additional benches. As a confirmed Catholic, Patrick was a witness to his faith when he was the Confirmation sponsor for his cousin this past February. Congratulations to all our St. Timothy Award Winners. 17