Educators from various diocesan Catholic Schools will be honored May 5
NEWS RELEASE
March 14, 2025
Contact: Office of Catholic Schools, (330) 744-8451, ext. 286
The Diocese of Youngstown’s Office of Catholic Schools announces the 2025 winners of the Golden Apple Award. The awardees are:
Cynthia Lindsey, Teacher at St. Michael Elementary School, Canton
Jamie Sklenar, Teacher at John F. Kennedy School Lower Campus, Warren
Alaina Chepke, Teacher at St. Rose Elementary School, Girard
Jane Vogel, Teacher at St. Peter Elementary School, Canton
Renee Illa, Teacher at St. Patrick Elementary School, Kent
Michele Vargo, Teacher at St. Christine Elementary School, Youngstown
Dan Mitchell, Principal of St. Joan of Arc Elementary School, Canton
Through the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh, the Golden Apple Award honors outstanding individuals who teach or are an administrator in Catholic schools. The diocese recognizes and deeply appreciates the unique charge these teachers and administrators have to the development of each student. Their selection, from a field of many outstanding educators in the Catholic schools, is a recognition of the commitment and witness of all the Catholic school teachers and administrators throughout the diocese.
The award consists of an unrestricted cash award of $5,000, a certificate, a Golden Apple paperweight, and a Golden Apple lapel pin, presented to the awardees at a prayer service and award ceremony to be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Youngstown Country Club, Youngstown, Ohio.
A selection process at the school and diocesan level was used to determine the awardees. In addition to being a full-time teacher or administrator who has been in the school where they are currently teaching or administrating for at least three full years, these teachers and administrator must give evidence of the following: professional development, commitment to students and school, leadership qualities, service to Church and community, teaching skills, and role model as a Catholic educator.
For further information, contact the Office of Catholic Schools at the diocese, 330-744-8451, ext. 286.
