Spirit of Mary Award 2017 Nominees

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.
 
Ellie Silberhorn
Ellie is an Honors student and AP scholar, achieving Honor Roll status all four years at Visitation High School.  She is President of the Enviro Club and active in the Leadership Club and Peer Mentors.  Ellie runs Cross Country and plays Hockey.  Her interests include educating people on the environment, political activism, reading, and running.  She works as a nanny two nights a week and volunteers at Children’s Hospital, Risen Christ Catholic School, Project Home, and she teaches 3 ^rd grade Religion Class.  Ellie cares for God’s creation as an environmental activist and serves the poor through volunteer work.  She lives her faith in daily actions and delights in the dignity of the human person.  Ellie responded to the Holy Father’s Encyclical on the environment by organizing an Earth Day cleanup.  She devotes herself to learning in order to effectively act out her faith, and she is a beautiful reflection of our Blessed Mother in the modern world.
 
Grace Schwab
Grace is an Honors and AP student at Visitation High School.  She has been active in Student Government each year, serving as President her senior year, and is involved in the Leadership Team.  She has served as President and Publicity Chair of the Life Club, has travelled to the National March for Life in D.C. twice, and is an active member of Endow.  Grace plays Varsity Tennis and Track and she was also on the Alpine Ski Team.  She has worked as a student receptionist and with children in her school’s summer program.  Grace received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and serves the community at the Carondelet Nursing Home, as an altar server at Nativity, at Children’s Hospital, as a Servants Camp counselor, at Nativity’s Catholic Kids Camp, as an Honor Guard at alumni funerals, and as a Eucharistic Minister.   Grace has a gentle yet strong spirit of serving her family, parish, and school, which is nothing short of inspiring.  She is an advocate for the sanctity of life at all stages and is a wonderful example of a faithful young Catholic woman.

Eileen Ryan
Eileen is an Honors and AP student at Visitation High School who has earned a place on the High Honor Roll all four years.  She participates in the Spanish Club, Environmental Club, and the Women Activists Group.  Eileen plays Varsity Volleyball, Track, and Lacrosse and enjoys sports, being outdoors, reading, and spending time with friends.  Eileen works as a summer nanny and babysits throughout the school year.  She volunteers at St. Joseph’s Hospital, delivers turkeys and stockings in North Minneapolis, and assists the elderly at The Glenn in Minnetonka.  Eileen has a listening heart, a loyalty to friends, and thoughtful generosity.  Through life’s challenges, she demonstrates perseverance and focus, and when she speaks, one listens.  She is not loud or overwhelming, but rather like the gentle breeze that moved Elijah she is like a wave of love that touches the hearts of the elderly she serves.  She is an example of our Blessed Mother’s gentle strength and an exemplar of her spirit.
 
Sophia Lauber
Sophia is an Honors and AP scholar at Visitation High School, earning a place on the High Honor Roll every semester.  She is a commended National Merit Scholar and Silver Medalist in the National Spanish Exam.  Sophia is the School Newspaper Editor, a member of the Leadership team, and has served as President and Secretary of the Respect Life Club.  She attended the March for Life in December and has led over 50 daytrips to Canada through the YMCA Wilderness camps.  She has been the JV Hockey Captain for three years and also plays Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity Tennis, and Soccer.   Sophia enjoys camping, hiking, being in nature, reading, writing, spending time with family, baking, and photography.  She has worked as a babysitter, as kitchen helper at Visitation Monastery, and at Sweet Martha’s Cookies.  Her volunteer activities include Eucharistic Minister, Nativity Altar Server, Tutor at Sharing and Caring Hands, and Volunteer with Project Home. Sophia is a young woman of faith-filled character who freely and consistently gives to others.  She has a compassionate, joyful nature, and is generous with her time and talent.  She exemplifies the Spirit of Mary with her tenacity, strength of spirit, humility, integrity, and grace.

Mary Augusta "Gussie" Laird
Gussie is a 4-year High Honor Roll student and Silver Key National Art Award winner at Visitation High School.  She is a 4-year varsity alpine skier and Senior Captain, a 3-year varsity soccer player, and All-Conference Honorable Mention in soccer.  Gussie received the Mark Johnson Award for Leadership and won the National French Contest Award for three years.  She has served as President and Publicity Chair of the Life Club, Senior Class Council Secretary, Blood Drive Coordinator, Head of Campus Ministry, Newspaper Staff Writer, Communion Minister and Church Lector.  She volunteers with the Project Home homeless shelter, Carondelet Nursing Home, Bridging Transitional Housing Furniture Warehouse, and Feed My Starving Children.  Throughout high school she has worked as a nanny and at St. Patrick’s Guild.  She enjoys traveling, reading, baking, and learning French.  Gussie is known for her gentle yet confident temperament, reminding others of Mary’s compassion and leading them closer to our Blessed Mother and her son, Jesus.  She remains steadfast in purpose and tries to do her best in all situations.
 
Amy Lynn Foote
Amy Lynn is an Honors and AP student at St. Agnes.  She has made the Headmaster's List every semester in high school and is a member of the National Honor Society.  Amy received the Mary and Leon Shrake Scholarship Award for pious devotion with academic excellence, and has received a Spanish Award from her future college.  She is a Mass cantor and member of Madrigal Singers and Classical Choir.  She participates in the Flannery O'Connor reading club, the Pro-Life Club as President and VP, and has met with state representatives to propose a financial aid bill for Catholic high school students.  She established the St. Agnes cross country team and also runs track and plays soccer.  Amy enjoys snowboarding, reading Catholic biographies, and playing the acoustic guitar.  She has worked as a nanny and as a summer consultant for a medical supply company.  She volunteers as a greeter at Nativity, at Project Home, and for Vacation Bible School.  Amy has a love for Jesus and a gift for noticing the needs of those around her.  In the Spirit of Mary, she responds humbly to that love by daily finding ways to reach out to others in kindness and service.
 
Margaret "Maggie" Conners
Maggie is an Honors and AP student at Visitation.  She has been a strong voice in the Life Club and is involved in Leadership Crew, Peer Mentors, and was the Junior Class Council VP.  Maggie is a star athlete in soccer, track, and hockey, playing all four years and serving as captain in each sport.  She received the Athena Award in 2017, the Excellence in Athletics Award in 2016, and the Academic All-State Athlete Award in track twice.  Her soccer awards include Ms. Soccer Class A, Pioneer Press Player of the Year, Star Tribune All-metro Team, 2x MVP, 4x All-Conference, and 3x All-State.  She was also a 3x All-Conference and 2x All-State in track, and she was on the 2016 Class A All-Tournament Hockey team. Maggie works as a nanny and at her father's office.  She volunteers at Feed My Starving Children, as a greeter and altar server at Nativity, and in the senior care facility where her grandmother resides.  Maggie possesses a youthful, optimistic spirit, which is a gift to those she encounters.  She performs her athletic activities to a level of excellence with a heart of gratitude and generosity, living out the spirit of our Blessed Mother Mary.

2017 Spirit of Mary Award Winner: Molly Johnson
Molly is an Honors and AP student at Cretin-Derham Hall.  She is a leader in Student Council, a Music Ministry choir member, part of the LaSallian Youth Group, and a member of the Leadership Academy.  Molly received the Carondelet Student Leadership Award, the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet Award, the Basketball Spirit Award, and was selected to attend the Women Mean Business Camp at the University of Minnesota.  She plays volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, and varsity basketball, and she enjoys reading, biking, and baking.  Molly has worked at Wheel Fun Rentals, Nelson's Ice Cream Shop, St. Patrick's Guild, and as a basketball camp counselor.  She volunteers as a Nativity 6th grade volleyball coach, on the Environmental Sustainability Committee, as a Link Crew Member, with Empty Bowls, as co-chair of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event, at the Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home, as an altar server, and with eight Blood Drive events.  Molly is an amazing leader who works hard, lives with integrity, and loves with humility and kindness.  She devotes a great deal of time to causes that benefit others, bringing calm, playful encouragement and breathing the love of God and neighbor while seeking justice in the world.  She is not afraid to live out her Catholic values and is one of the finest examples of the Spirit of Mary in our community.

Congratulations, Molly!