The Diocese of Little Rock awarded two Little Rock high school seniors — Claire Davies of Mount Saint Mary Academy and Alex Tingquist of Catholic High School — with the St. Timothy Award.
The award, based on the Scripture verse Timothy 4:12, recognizes teens who are positive role models for Catholic youth in four areas: living as a disciple of Christ, witnessing to faith, serving others and exhibiting Gospel leadership.
Davies serves on the Christ the King parish council, her youth group leadership council, the diocesan Youth Advisory Council, the Mount St. Mary liturgy team and as a “mom” for the diocesan Search retreat. She was in Christ the King’s living Stations of the Cross for four years and was an animator for the 2010 Region X in Little Rock, a regional conference of youth from Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. She also is active in pro-life and social justice activities that include promoting, organizing and participating in 40 Days for Life, speaking at the diocesan Mother/Daughter Chastity Program and attending the Catholic Charities Summer Institute in Little Rock.
“I was surprised that I got it because I never seem to win anything,” she said. “It did mean a lot to me, because I’ve been in ministry all four years. To be recognized for that is a big deal.”
Tingquist serves on the Immaculate Conception youth council, North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council, the diocesan Youth Advisory Council and as a leader for the diocesan Search retreats. He has volunteered at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, the summer youth program at Our House and his parish Vacation Bible School. He began a homeless project for the Immaculate Conception youth group after attending the Catholic Charities Summer Institute. He was also an animator for the 2010 Region X conference in Little Rock.
“I was really honored to get the award,” he said. “We poured so much time into youth ministry during all these years of high school, it’s really nice to be recognized for it.”
Both teens are following the example set by their mothers, who have served as youth ministers.
“I definitely didn’t have a chance to be anything else but a Jesus freak because of my mom,” he said smiling. “She’s probably the biggest inspiration for me spiritually and in my life today. Having her involved in youth ministry with me has been an awesome experience and I hope it’s been the same for her.”
Tingquist’s mother, Liz, was youth director at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock and is now diocesan director of youth and campus ministries, and Davies’ mother, Bevie, is youth director at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.
“It’s definitely brought my mom and I a lot closer. Being able to share our faith is huge. She’s a huge inspiration to me spiritually and just the way she lives her life. I know she was definitely the one who got me into participating in youth ministry for sure,” Davies said.
Both Davies and Tingquist plan to attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Davies will study communication disorders and Tingquist will study either business or architecture.
They also are looking forward to participating in Catholic Campus Ministry in college.
“Definitely, I want to be involved with Catholic Campus ministry. I want to continue living my spiritual life in college,” Tingquist said.
This year’s winners were honored at the Senior High Youth Rally April 10.