Spirit of Mary Award Winner - Ahna Neil

Ahna Neil attended Trinity through the 11th grade and is now in a Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, where she will earn 36 college credits this year.  She was an Honors student throughout high school, and is now on her College Dean’s list and Phi Theta Kappa.  She received All-Conference Honorable Mention for softball and participates in triathlons, cross-country, and basketball.  She served as team captain for softball and cross-country and will join the cross-country team at St. Kate’s in the fall of 2016.  Ahna enjoys traveling, biking, sewing, and making scrapbooks.  She has worked as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and nanny.  Ahna joined Girl Scouts in Kindergarten and continues to volunteer as a counselor and role model to young Scouts, including her younger sister’s troop.  She is a Eucharistic Minister at Nativity, has volunteered at Nativity’s Catholic Kids Camp, and helped establish a Healthy Eating and Exercise Clinic at a local Boys and Girls Club.

Ahna is a born leader.  She treats each girl she’s working with as though they are the most important person in her world.  I’ve watched her pray with them, lead them, and complete service with them.  She models what it means to be a young woman of faith.
 
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Each year the NCCW recognizes an outstanding young woman with the Spirit of Mary Award. The award winner must have demonstrated acts of faith, humility, generosity, and kindness through her school, parish, and community involvement. Female parishioners who are currently seniors in high school may apply or may be nominated. The award is a cash prize of $500, with $100 designated to the winner’s charity of choice.