Four eighth-grade students from South Jersey’s Catholic schools were recently awarded tuition scholarships as part of the 2025 Dr. David T. Coghlan Young Catholic Leader Award.
Established in memory of Dr. David T. Coghlan, a former superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Camden who died in 2005, the scholarships are given to incoming freshmen who will be attending a diocesan Catholic high school in the fall.
Two eighth-graders were awarded the top prize of $1,500 each, with both planning to attend Paul VI High School, Haddonfield, in the fall: Timothy Koller, from Resurrection Catholic School, Cherry Hill, and Mary Cate Roxberry, from Saint Peter School, Merchantville.
Two runners-up received $750 each, and both will attend Holy Spirit High School, Absecon: Nicholas Carrera, from Assumption Regional Catholic School, Galloway, and AnaSky Maldonado, from Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School, Mays Landing.
Catholic school elementary principals throughout the Diocese were asked to nominate an eighth-grade student who best exemplified the qualities that defined Dr. Coghlan’s life: a keen intellect, generous spirit, and gracious demeanor fueled by an intense spirituality and commitment to faith.
Nominated students were then asked to complete an application and essay – sharing their meaningful contributions to family, community, school and Church – and how they would continue to use their gifts to make a difference in their high school years and beyond.
Koller said he will continue the call to service that he learned at Resurrection Catholic School.
“In Catholic school, we learn that all are welcomed and all are called to help each other,” he wrote in his essay. “I am thankful for the many people in my Catholic education who have taught me through their examples of service.”
Koller’s service activities included helping to organize a Christmas toy drive for families in Camden; volunteering as a tour guide at the school’s open houses; speaking at Sunday Masses to raise money for the school theater program; and altar serving at liturgies.
Koller is excited to attend Paul VI in the fall, as the Catholic school will “help strengthen my faith and help me to grow in my service to others — lessons that will last long after I am [out of] school.”
In her essay, Roxberry said she is looking forward to using “the gifts that God has given me to become the best version of myself and to do His will as I pursue my education and contribute to this world.”
At Saint Peter School, she volunteered at the food pantry, making sandwiches for Camden’s Cathedral Kitchen; guided younger students at the basketball clinic; and helped with stage crew.
“These experiences have allowed me to give back to my Catholic community and have instilled in me a sense of responsibility and pride in helping others,” she wrote. “With the Lord in my heart, there is nothing I cannot overcome or achieve.”
Katharine Coghlan, widow of Dr. Coghlan, noted that the scholarship committee is “amazed at not just the quality of the written essays, but the thoughtful expression of what it means to lead with a servant’s heart.”
“The Young Catholic Leader Award not only honors Dave’s memory, but allows us to see his vision alive in our Catholic school graduates,” she said.
In addition, the Diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools sent every essay applicant a $50 Amazon gift card to honor their commitment and service efforts.
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