Exemplary high school seniors from 50 Catholic schools throughout the archdiocese gathered with teachers, parents and friends at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels March 21 for the annual Christian service awards ceremony honoring discipleship role models and mentors.

The 59 student awardees, representing all of the Catholic high schools within Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, were selected by their schools for volunteer services to local and international charities and organizations. Many have averaged 100 hours annually during their four-year high school career.

The celebration is "one of the most important events of the school year because it represents so well the true mission of our Catholic high schools," said Nancy Coonis, archdiocesan superintendent of secondary schools.

The honorees, she said, "have taken to heart the call of Christ to serve others. Our Christian service award winners are a challenge to us all and challenge each one of us to use our gifts in service to others."

Coonis also praised the contributions made by parents, teachers, administrators and Christian service moderators. "Without the support of caring adults, these young people might not have been inspired to make the significant sacrifices that we honor today," declared Coonis.

In his welcoming remarks, Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis called the event "a celebration of who we are as Christian disciples, called to minister to one another and to serve others because of our love of God." Later, during his homily, Bishop Solis thanked the high school awardees for being among "the few who have really excelled in service to God's people.

"We congratulate you who have truly given the world a sign that God is still with us because of your Christian service motivated by your love of God and your fellow man. With your expression of service and love to God's people, you have proclaimed to the world that God is still alive, because where there is God, there is love. And when you love, you help people know that God cares and God loves," declared the bishop.

Holy Faith Sister Angela Hallahan, event coordinator, told the congregation following the liturgy it was her "privilege to present those students who have worked for the past four years in their schools and local communities to bring help, love and joy to people less fortunate."

Damien High School senior Anthony Martin, who logged more than 300 hours in Mexico with the campus Tijuana Mission Club, told The Tidings that he greatly enjoyed his volunteer work. Besides helping to build homes in Mexico, he also participated as a Kairos retreat team leader.

Kari Anne Kristiansen, a senior at Villanova Preparatory, earned many of her service hours working at her parish. "I went to World Youth Day and our group did a lot of fundraising and we tried to do a lot of service for the church," said Kristiansen.

"Christian service is a good thing for the community," said Victor Bruno, a senior at Don Bosco Technical Institute. "You make life-long friends. I have a bunch of buddies I know I'm not going to lose contact with."

Sister of St. Mary of Oregon Sara Goggin, among five teachers honored at the event for facilitating Christian service on their campuses, described her students at Bishop Alemany High School (Mission Hills) as "awesome" young people. "They have a real heart for the people [they serve] and they have the energy to make something really happen. They model Christ in their life and in how they treat one another on a daily basis on our campus and also when they go off campus to serve others," said Sister Goggin.

Salesian Father Jose Lucero, on staff at Don Bosco, said students are enriched by their Christian service. "The fulfillment students get from being in ministry --- helping others and serving others --- is something they don't get anywhere else," declared Father Lucero.

Besides Sister Goggin, teacher award recipients for 2006 included Joe Griffin, St. John Bosco (Bellflower); Felician Sister Francis Hopcus, Pomona Catholic (Pomona); Therese Portman, Notre Dame Academy (Los Angeles); and Rob Thomas, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks).

The Christian Service awardees:
Sophie Goldstein, Alverno High School; Jeremy Intal, Bellarmine-Jefferson; Gabriele Gonzales and Janelle Nazario, Bishop Alemany; Danielle Adams and Christian Derek Chan, Bishop Amat; Christa Preciado, Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto; Rachael Manzo, Bishop Garcia Diego; Melissa Flynn and David Sablan, Bishop Montgomery; Kevin Arrevillaga, Bishop Mora Salesian; Darlene Gonzalez, Cantwell-Sacred Heart; Corin Hooper, Cathedral; Andrea Pileri and Ariana Nicole Eginli, Chaminade College Preparatory; Charles Henry Maguire, Crespi Carmelite; Anthony J. Martin and Andrew Nolan, Damien; and Roger Gutierrez, Daniel Murphy.

John Bui and Victor Bruno, Don Bosco; Melissa Guerrero, Flintridge-Sacred Heart Academy; Sophia Khousadian, Holy Family; Adrienne Therese Marilla, Immaculate Heart; Evelyn Gabriela Menjivar, Junipero Serra; Kathleen Mooney, La Reina; Christopher J. Torres, La Salle; Krista Knecht, Louisville; Blayze Hanson and Phillip Schwarz, Loyola; Jessica Cantu, Mary Star of the Sea; Savannah Stasher, Marymount; Bernadette Ament, Mayfield Senior; Josephine A. Hernandez and Kyle P. Visciglia, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks); Cristina Luca, Notre Dame Academy; Christopher Silva, Paraclete; Soo Yeon Pia Shin, Pomona Catholic; and Nicholas Bumacod, Providence.

Cristina Canzonieri, Ramona Convent Secondary; Jasmine M. Fernandez, Sacred Heart; Gloria Galindo, San Gabriel Mission High; Timothy Chaparro, Santa Clara; Eddie Portillo, St. Anthony; Ronni Leonard, St. Bernard; Danielle Kirk, St. Bonaventure; Moises H. Gallegos, St. Francis; Christine Joy Espinueva, St. Genevieve; Andrew Marquez and Emmanuel Reyes, St. John Bosco; Ronnie Raffaniello, St. Joseph (Lakewood); Alexandra G. Angel, St. Joseph (Santa Maria); Stephanie Lopez, St. Lucy's Priory; Stephanie Moncada, St. Mary's Academy; Luz Micaela Escobar, St. Matthias; Christina Johnstone, St. Monica; Stephanie Rigoli, St. Paul; Martin Perez, Jr., Verbum Dei; and Kari Anne Kristiansen, Villanova Preparatory.