For the 31st year, our Council, the Fourth Degree Assembly, and the Lady Knights have honored Catholic seniors from our area’s high schools. We began with scholarships to Lewisville and Marcus High in 1991, expanded to three scholarships when Flower Mound High opened, and later added two more scholarships, including Catholic high schools and Catholic home-schooled students if their parents are members of St. Philip’s or our Council.
Applicants present their participation in school and church activities and write an essay on the topic of “The Need to Serve.” Three members of our Council and two Lady Knights judged the applications without knowing the identity of the applicants. Once again, this year's judges were Marti Montegna and Julie Polasek from the Lady Knights, and Mike McArdle, Troy Rohr, and Kevin Treadway from our Council.
Here are our five fine 2021 graduates, winners of $800 cash scholarships:
Jillian Capps: The daughter of Nicole and Gary Capps of St. Philip's, Jillian is an accomplished athlete as well as student at Flower Mound High. A member of USA Volleyball and USA Water Polo, she was a member of FMHS's 2018 state championship volleyball team and was named Offensive MVP of FMHS's water polo team. She is a member of the English Honor Society, Circle of Friends, Student Council, Spanish Club, and an LISD Kindness Ambassador. Her honors include being nominated for the National Society of High School Scholars, the National Society of Leadership and Success of North Central Texas College, winner of the PTSA's "Heroes around Me" essay contest, and Outstanding Lifetime and Wellness Student. At. St. Philip's she has been a member of the Discipleship Group, a Eucharistic Minister, an Altar Server, and a Bread Plate Holder, as well as a Camp Summit volunteer and a CASA Denton County project leader.
Lauren Faria: The daughter of Ausa and Larry Faria of St. Philip's, Lauren has moved up through the ranks of FMHS's Air Force Junior ROTC to now serve as Admin Deputy, Recruitment Commander, and Logistics Commander. She is flute squad leader for the award-winning FMHS marching and symphonic bands. An annual coordinator of Forestwood Middle School's Career Day, Lauren has also participated in FMHS's Career Out Day. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the NASSP's National High School Students Honor Society. Lauren has won awards from the Miss East Texas, Miss Southeast Texas, and Miss Texas programs. As well as participating in SPY, Lauren has been active in Special Olympics, Children's Miracle Network, Adopt-a-Spot, the University of North Texas's engineering camp, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas, Society of Women Engineers Leadership Academy, and the NASA Frontiers of Flight, as well as volunteering for the Children's Miracle Network and earning Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards as a Girl Scout. She earned a proclamation of "Lauren Faria Day" from the Flower Mound mayor for her creation of "Learn with Lauren," an InstagramTV series.
Patrick Hill. The son of Vicki and Wayne Hill of St. Ann's parish, Patrick has been a member of the Math Honor Society, the English Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, and the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, as well as finding time to play four years on the MHS baseball team and umpiring for the Highland Village Baseball/Softball Association. He has participated in volunteer activities such as the Feed the Hunger initiative, Circle of Friends car wash, and Christmas caroling at a local nursing home through the MHS baseball team. At St. Ann's he is an Altar Server, a member of the Youth Ministry, a Vacation Bible School leader, and has regularly volunteered at the annual parish carnival, Thanksgiving Basket meals, Kids Eat Free summer programs, the Magi Gift Ministry, and the North Texas Food Bank.
Alexander Jansen. The son of Natasha and David Jansen of St. Philip's, Alexander has received honors as a French horn player in the LHS Concert and Marching bands, as well as playing trumpet in the LHS Jazz Band. He participates in the Junior World Affairs Council, the Greater Thinkers Society, the National Honors Society, the National Mathematics Honor Society, the Interact Club, and Student Council. He has participated in volunteer activities through St. Philip's SPY group and attends regular meetings of the St. Philip's Discipleship Group. An altar server in middle school, at St. Philip's he has volunteered at Vacation Bible School, played French horn at three parish Christmas masses, and worked at our Council pancake breakfasts. He credits two Mount Summit retreats and a Lock-In for Life as strengthening his faith. Soon to earn his Eagle Scout award as a Boy Scout, Alexander has built an outdoor learning area for the outdoor education class at Delay Middle School that includes a cooking area, outdoor classroom, and a nature walking trail.
Alexia Rutledge. The daughter of Cynthia and Robert Rutledge of St. Philip's, Alexia holds several leadership positions at Lewisville High, including the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering Club, the Technology Student Association, the National Mathematics Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the Junior World Affairs Council, and Student Council. She plays clarinet in the LHS band and is an LISD Kindness Ambassador. She has participated in space and technology camps at the Johnson Space Center and the University of Texas at Austin. As a member of St. Philip's SPY and the Christ Child Society, she has volunteered for several activities, and as a Girl Scout, Alexia has earned Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards for her service work
Due to COVID postponement of our March Founder's Day dinner, we hope to honor these five outstanding young people at a Council dinner later this year.