YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Twenty youths have been awarded the Eagle of the Cross Award for 2025 by the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

The award, which is the highest honor the diocese bestows on youths, was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry  and introduced 27 years ago. It’s given each year to a group of extraordinary high school juniors and seniors who model Catholic-Christian leadership amongst their peers, dedication to the faith and moral integrity for the church.

The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, will present the awards at a ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, April 28, at St. Columba Cathedral. A reception will follow in St. Columba Hall. Here are the recipients:

Parish Category

  • Abbigail Borbely, St. John Neumann Parish, Mogadore.
  • Brooke Bosheff, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, McDonald.
  • Gregory Carbon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, Youngstown.
  • Jacob Fieldhouse, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Boardman.
  • Sophie Galliazzo, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Geneva.
  • Christopher Hammond, St. Jude Parish, Columbiana.
  • Jenna Marhefka, St. John the Evangelist, Summitville.
  • Maggie May, St. Paul Catholic Parish, North Canton.
  • Christopher Mijavec, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Warren.
  • Luke Rowland, St. Columba Cathedral Parish, Youngstown.
  • Katie Wojton, St. Jude Parish, Columbiana.

Catholic School Category

  • Christine Biggins, St. John School, Ashtabula; Immaculate Conception Parish, Madison.
  • Francesca Bolchalk, John F. Kennedy Catholic School, Warren; St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Warren.
  • Marc DelliQuadri, Ursuline High School, Youngstown; St. Rose Parish, Girard.
  • Elizabeth Ducro, St. John School, Ashtabula; Our Lady of Peace Parish, Ashtabula.
  • Rocco Gentile, Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown; Holy Family Parish, Poland.
  • Aidan Hryb, Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown; Holy Family Parish, Poland.
  • Giuliana Ricchiuti, Ursuline High School, Youngstown; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, Youngstown.
  • Luke Vlacovsky, Central Catholic High School, Canton; Guardian Angels Parish, Canton.
  • Maegli Young, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Louisville; Christ the Servant Parish, Canton.