The Diocese of Little Rock handed out youth and adult awards during the Catholic Youth Ministry convention banquet May 11.
The highest youth award, the St. Timothy Award, was given to Emily Schienvar of Christ the King Parish in Little Rock and Alex Smith of St. Jude Parish in Jacksonville.
The award, based on 1 Timothy 4:12, is given to teens who live their lives as disciples, witnessing to their faith and demonstrating Gospel values. They are leaders in their parishes, schools and communities.
“In addition to all of these attributes, the mark of an outstanding disciple is a person who shows creativity, initiative, leadership, a desire to serve and has a passion for his or her faith,” diocesan youth and campus ministries director Liz Tingquist said.
The winners were chosen after receiving recommendations from their parish youth minister and pastor. An independent committee appointed by the diocese reviews the nominations and makes the selection.
Schienvar has been active in her parish youth group since her freshman year.
Youth minister Bevie Davies said, “She witnesses her faith in a confident manner because she knows who she is: a young Catholic woman who loves Christ.”
She has been a member of the parish youth leadership team, chaired the Faith Formation Committee and served on the diocese’s Youth Advisory Council and Search team. She is also a lector, altar server and tutor for the parish’s tutoring program.
Smith’s youth minister, Paula Price, said, “He has been a positive role model by encouraging our youth to become strong disciples of Christ; he is grounded in his faith and encourages us all to love, pray and grow with Christ.”
In addition to being in the band and track at school, Smith has served on the diocesan Youth Advisory Council and Search teams and attended Catholic Charities Summer Institute.
Other awards included:
Companions on the Journey, highest recognition for an adult leader:
- Christie Powell, director of religious education, youth and young adult director, parish religion education coordinator, RCIA coordinator and Virtus compliance coordinator for Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marche).
- Ron and Colette Lee, CYM directors at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Benton
- Msgr. Francis Malone, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Little Rock
- Msgr. Scott Friend, vicar general and diocesan vocations director
Most Improved CYM in a small parish: St. James Church in Searcy
Most Improved CYM in a large parish: St. Jude Parish in Jacksonville
Most Outstanding CYM in a small parish: Our Lady of the Assumption in Booneville
Most Outstanding CYM in a large parish: Christ the King Parish in Little Rock
