Each spring across the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, remarkable stories quietly unfold in high schools— stories of young people and educators who see a need

and respond with compassion, creativity, and persistence. This year’s Spirit of Sister Dorothy Stang Award recipients embody what it means to live as missionary disciples in their everyday life.

Presented annually to graduating seniors, faculty, and staff, the award recognizes those whose lives reflect the values of Sr. Dorothy Stang, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur who gave her life in 2005 defending the rights of subsistence farmers in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

“Each nominee is unique, and each story reveals creative engagement that reflects characteristics of Dorothy’s life,” explained Teresa Phillips, Director of the Office of Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation, for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. “Each one holds the belief that they can make a difference and that change is possible when we work together.”

Courage and Creativity in Service

This year, 15 students and educators received the award, which began in the Missions Office of the archdiocese in 2010, commemorating the five-year anniversary of Sr. Dorothy’s death in Brazil. For four seniors at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School—Amaia Jackson, Alyssa Wagner, Casey Nguyen, and Lacy Liette—mission took the form of a conversation. Through their capstone project, Girl Talk, they created a safe, supportive space for seventh- and eighth-grade girls at Our Lady of the Rosary School in Dayton to explore difficult topics, learn leadership skills, and discover their own voice.

“They wished to provide guidance and a safe space for young girls to discuss hard topics that girls face in today’s world,” said Jillian Foster, Regional Director of Catholic Social Action for the archdiocese. “They went out of their way and did the hard work to touch lives. I was inspired and amazed by their level of passion and dedication.”

At Seton High School, social worker Jenny Jenkins lives mission in her daily work with students who face poverty, a broken home life, or other significant challenges. She builds trust in simple, human ways, like walking outside with students during meetings so they can feel the sun and hear the birds. She co-moderates a hiking club, helps students earn their driver’s licenses, and works closely with Hispanic families to bridge cultural differences. “She is always working to understand where her students are coming from and how she can meet them there,” Foster said.

Catholic Central High School’s president, Mike Raiff, learned of his award only after a campus-wide effort to keep it a surprise. Under his leadership, the school has made great strides to ensure every student has access to the resources they need, whether it be through academic support, counseling, or meeting basic needs, regardless of the student’s situation or background.

Mission Is for Everyone

For the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, this award is unlike any other given in a high school setting. “It is not often people are recognized for giving of themselves to benefit others,” said Phillips. “Awards are given for the best athlete

or the best grades. But anyone can give back to their community, stand with the marginalized, and care for the earth, ‘our common home.’”

October’s Month of Mission is a reminder that the call to serve is not limited to missionaries overseas—it is the daily responsibility of every baptized Christian. The lives of this year’s awardees show that mission begins with presence, compassion, and relationship.

“When we receive Christ in the Eucharist, we are called to take that love of Christ and pour it out into the world,” Foster said. “It all begins with building relationships—not just with friends and family, but with people different from you. A different background, different skin color, different language. Bit by bit you come to understand others more easily.”

Phillips echoed that mission requires both personal and systemic change. “We must be willing to change personal behaviors and advocate for system change,” she said. “Anyone can give back. ‘No’ is not an option when living out the Gospel values of caring for each other and the gift from God that is creation.”

The Power of Words and Witness

For Foster, one of the most moving aspects of the process was reading the nominations. “It’s the words of the nominators that strike me. They are so moved by [the awardees], who they are as a person, and the service and care they give so freely and sincerely.”

Those words and the work they describe make the Spirit of Sister Dorothy Stang Awards more than a plaque or a ceremony. They are a testimony that the Gospel is alive in classrooms, after-school programs, and in the daily work of listening and showing up for others.

In the end, these awardees teach us that mission is the daily choice to respond to Christ’s call with whatever gifts we have, wherever we are. And as long as the spirit of Sr. Dorothy lives in their work, the Church’s mission will continue to grow, one courageous “yes” at a time. ✣

This article appeared in the October 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.