Photo by James A. McBride
Andrea Rybacki of Assumption School in Atco accepts the David T. Coghlan Young Catholic Leader Award from Kathy Coghlan. The scholarship is given each year in memory of former superintendent of schools of the Diocese of Camden, Dr. David Coghlan, who died in 2005. Also pictured are Father Thomas J. Barcellona, pastor of Assumption Parish, and Paul Ricci, principal of Assumption School.
The 2011 David T. Coghlan Young Leader Award was presented this year to Andrea Rybacki, an eighth grade student at Assumption School in Atco.
Andrea is the recipient of a $1,000 tuition scholarship to Paul VI High School, Haddon Township.
There were also two $500 scholarships given to the runners-up. These awards were merited by Daniel Petito of St. Margaret Regional School in Woodbury Heights, who will attend Gloucester Catholic High School next year, and Bianca LaSpada of Resurrection Catholic School in Cherry Hill, who will be going to Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill.
The David T. Coghlan Young Catholic Leader Award is given each year by the Coghlan family in memory of former superintendent of schools of the Diocese of Camden, Dr. David Coghlan, who died in 2005.
Each elementary school is asked to nominate one eighth grade student. All nominees receive a $50 savings bond.
As part of the application process, students are asked to write an essay describing how they hope to use the opportunities given to them through their Catholic education to make meaningful contributions to the church and the world.
Scholarship winner Andrea Rybacki wrote in her essay:
“In our world, we are given opportunities to make a difference and to share of ourselves with each other. Something as simple as a smile can change a life; it can show others we care, it can tell others that we understand their hurts and pain and that we also want to share in their joy. It is important to be compassionate and never to miss an opportunity to touch the life of a fellow human being….”
Kathy Coghlan, Dr. Coghlan’s wife, presented the award to Andrea after the first Friday Mass at Assumption Church in Atco, on Friday, June 3.
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