NEWS RELEASE
January 21, 2025
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Catholic Schools in the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown welcome all to join in the annual celebration of National Catholic Schools Week, beginning Sunday, January 26 and concluding Saturday, February 1. The theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” highlights our focus on faith development, academic excellence, and dedication to community service. This week is an opportunity to highlight these efforts as school communities in the Diocese of Youngstown. Individual Catholic schools have planned various events, including Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. We take this week to recognize what makes Catholic education unique. For more information on Catholic Schools Week, visit www.ncea.org
This year the daily themes are:
- Sunday, January 26: Celebrating Your Parish
- Monday, January 27: Celebrating Your Community
- Tuesday, January 28: Celebrating Your Students
- Wednesday, January 29: Celebrating the Nation
- Thursday, January 30: Celebrating Vocations
- Friday, January 31: Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers
- Saturday, February 1: Celebrating Families
Also, nominations are now underway for the annual Golden Apple Awards. The program has been sponsored by the Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh for the last 26 years. At a banquet on May 5, 2025, at Youngstown Country Club, the diocese will recognize six teachers; up to two high school teachers and the remainder elementary teachers. One principal will also receive a Golden Apple Award. Winners receive $5,000 cash, a certificate, a Golden Apple paperweight, and a lapel pin.
- The candidate must exemplify Catholic values, be a full-time K-12 classroom teacher with a Bachelor’s degree or higher and a current and valid license for the position(s) he or she holds
- be a principal or associate principal with a valid and appropriate license for the position(s) he or she holds,
- must have completed at least three full years of teaching in a secondary or elementary school within the Diocese of Youngstown.
Please download and complete the attached nomination forms: