Torrance (March 15, 2012): The Archdiocese of Los Angeles recently named three Bishop Montgomery seniors as recipients of the Christian Service Award. In addition, one BMHS teacher has been chosen to receive special recognition at the 2012 Christian Service Celebration. All four will be honored at a special Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on March 20, 2012.
Seniors Matthew Ramirez '12, Salvador Valdovinos '12, and Nikki Windisch '12 have demonstrated a willingness to serve their school and communities throughout their high school years.
Ramirez, a graduate of St. James School and a member of St. James Church, has been actively serving BMHS, St. James, and his local community for many years. In addition to assisting at BMHS with Masses and Campus Ministry, Ramirez serves in many capacities at St. James in Redondo Beach. He serves as a Eucharistic Minister and a junior sacristin at St. James and he is a teacher's assistant in the Religious Education department at the parish. Every Sunday, Ramirez also brings communion to the residents at Driftwood Care Center in Torrance. "I serve because it feels good to do something for someone else," explains Ramirez. "I want to set an example to others by serving, hoping that they, too, may serve others some day."
Valdovinos, from St. Anthony of Padua in Gardena, has served his local community extensively, all while being a vital member of the boys' soccer team all four years. Valdovinos spends most of his free time volunteering at an organization called VCYC where he helps plan events for those less fortunate. Valdovinos has worked at such events as Global Youth Service Day, Make-a-Difference Day, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day through VCYC. At the MLK day, Valdovinos helped organize career professionals to come speak to orphans about their careers. He also spoke to at-risk young adults about SAT and ACT testing and provided them with the information they needed to be successful in college. "I serve because there are so many people who are less fortunate and haven't had the opportunities I have," explains Valdovinos. "Through the volunteer center, I feel that I am making a difference in people's lives."
At BMHS, Windisch, a St. James graduate and parishioner, has served as a Kairos retreat leader and she is active in ASB and Concordia Club. She is currently the ASB Commisioner of Elections and she has served in various service projects through Concordia with Covenant House Los Angeles. Outside of BMHS, Windisch is a lector at St. James and does extensive service at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. As secretary of the Junior Society at Harbor UCLA, Windisch records minutes at weekly meetings, helps plan fundraisers, and schedules activities. She is also a volunteer reader for the medical center's Reach Out and Read Program. She began volunteering at Harbor UCLA after her summer internship with the Eve and Gene Black Program, during which she spent one month shadowing doctors in various pediatric departments including genetics, oncology, immunology, and neurology. "I serve the Bishop community because there is no better way to give back to the school that to become involved in activities," explains Windisch. Reading to children in the pediatric waiting room has special meaning to Windisch. "Teaching children how to read is important to me because my mom battled cancer three times," explains Windisch. "During hospital visits, I would pass the time by reading in the waiting room. I hope to pass on my love of learning to others."
In addition to the three students, BMHS alumnus and math teacher Jake Roehl '92 will receive special recognition at the Mass on March 20. Each year, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools honors teachers for their "outstanding dedication in directing students in Christian service activities and in modeling for them a commitment to the Gospels through the service of others." For many years, Roehl has moderated BMHS' Habitat Club and has organized endless service projects. This year, Roehl and the Habitat Club have made bunks beds for an orphange in Mexicali, painted benches at Holy Innocents Elementary School in Long Beach, and raised funds for Home Walk LA in the fight against hunger. Each month, Roehl also organizes a group of students to travel to the Long Beach Rescue Mission to help serve dinner to the homeless.
We congratulate all of our Christian Service Honorees!