The highest Catholic youth award in the Diocese of Little Rock was handed out to high school seniors Maria Baltz of St. Paul Church in Pocahontas and Stephen Hart of Christ the King Church in Little Rock.
Formerly called the Eagle of the Cross Award, the St. Timothy Award was announced at the annual Catholic Youth Ministry convention in May in Little Rock.
The award is given each year to teens who live their lives as Christian disciples and are leaders in their parish and diocese.
Liz Tingquist, diocesan youth ministry director, said it was decided this year to make the award more competitive. Previously, youth directors around the state nominated one senior from their parish and they automatically received the award. Beginning this year only one or two seniors will be given the St. Timothy Award, Tingquist said. A committee reviewed the nominees and recommended Baltz and Hart for the award.
“Our goal is to truly be able to offer as a role model only two kids who reflect what it really means to be a servant of Christ,” Tingquist said.
Tingquist said the award’s name is based on 1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.”
Baltz has been active in her parish’s CYM as well as Search and the diocesan Youth Advisory Council.
“Just this year, she sponsored her best friend in the RCIA program, standing beside her helping to guide her, praying with her and being an example to her,” Tingquist said.
Hart also is active in Search and the diocesan council. His peers at Christ the King often mention him as a role model in their parish.
“He has always demonstrated a spiritual maturity beyond his years,” pastor Msgr. Francis I. Malone wrote in his nomination letter. “I have noticed his calm, polite approach, something that seems to indicate a true spiritual grounding that allows him to follow Christ boldly and faithfully, inspiring others along the way.”
The other nominees were Katie Blevins, St. Mary, Paragould; Allison Fugere, St. Vincent de Paul, Rogers; Wesley Hall, St. Edward, Little Rock; Anthony Lawrence, Our Lady of Fatima, Benton; Anthony Rocko, St. Raphael, Springdale; Kristen Ryan, St. Elizabeth, Oppelo; Janella Sampolesi, Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Village; Hollianne Williamson, St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home; and Kristyn Willis, St. Boniface, Fort Smith.
The highest adult award was given to five youth ministers and volunteers. Those who received the Companions on the Journey, formerly known as the For God and Youth Award, must have been active in youth ministry for at least five years and have been a local and diocesan leader. The winners were Laurel Becnel, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Magnolia; Wally Gieringer, Christ the King, Little Rock; Rhonda Hausman, St. Paul, Pocahontas; Jennifer Kilpatrick, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock; and Dody Neis, St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home.
The Light of the World Award, formerly called the Adult Service Award, was given to local youth volunteers who also show a commitment to youth ministry. They are Lisa Barlow, St. John, Russellville; Eva Baltz, St. Paul, Pocahontas; Denise Bauer, Christ the King, Little Rock; Caron Davis, St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home; LouAnn Gieringer, Christ the King, Little Rock; Tom Glave, St. Vincent de Paul, Rogers; and Marie Reed, St. John, Russellville.
The Youth Discipleship Award, formerly called the Outstanding Youth Award, was given to 48 teens who are active in their parishes. One teen from each class in ninth to 12th grades can be honored by their local parish. This year’s recipients are:
St. John, Russellville: J. T. Barlow,
St. Paul, Pocahontas: Maria Baltz
Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock: Liz Beadle, Patrick Mines, Kayla Nehus and Annamarie Nelson
St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home: Stephonie Bennett, Jillian Knox and Hollianne Williamson
Our Lady of Good Hope, Hope: Katie Burke, Andrew Guercio, Angela Nino and Alivia Swift
St. Vincent de Paul, Rogers: Jeff Campbell, Jacob Grelle, Rebecca Moye and Brandi Willett
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Marche: Susan Dearasaugh, Maria Doby, Chad Hiley, Amy Loftus, James Miller, Anna Powell, Adam Recker, Stephen Recker, Lauren Siebold and Martin Siebold
Christ the King, Little Rock: Paul Drake, Mary Catherine Martinka, Connor McMains and Drew Siebenmorgen
St. Raphael, Springdale: Mary Engledowl, Morgan Mansour and Anthony Rock
St. Edward, Texarkana: Courtney Fricks, Megan Mervish and Paige Sanderson
St. Bernard, Bella Vista: Jessie Gieselman
St. Edward, Little Rock: Ashley Gammill, Luke Hall, Jason Williams and Ryan Williams
Our Lady of Fatima, Benton: Anthony Lawrence
Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Village: Arthur Lee III
St. Jude the Apostle, Jacksonville: Zach Price
St. Mary, Paragould: Lucia Puellon
Holy Family, Little Rock Air Force Base: Erika Sloop and Ryan Stubenrauch
