NEWS RELEASE March 30, 2026
Contact: Madeleine Francisco, Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment, (330) 744-8451 ext. 310; mfrancisco@youngstowndiocese.org
Additional Contact: Dennis Biviano, PR & Media Specialist, (330) 744-8451, ext. 320; dbiviano@youngstowndiocese.org
18 Teens to Receive “Eagle of the Cross” Award from Diocese of Youngstown – The annual award is given to juniors and seniors in the DOY since 1999
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is pleased to announce the 18 recipients of the 2026 Eagle of the Cross Award. The award, which is the highest honor our diocese bestows on our youth, was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) and introduced 28 years ago. It is 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 will present the awards at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica in Youngstown. A reception will follow in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Hall. The names of each of the 18 award recipients follows:
County (Parish) Category:
Jessica Berry – Ashtabula County | Parish: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Geneva
Riley Cordell – Trumbull County | Parish: Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Warren
Louis Cross – Mahoning County | Parish: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica-St. Anthony of Padua, Youngstown
Malena Gottwig – Ashtabula County | Parish: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Geneva
Sophie Johnson – Trumbull County | Parish: Queen of Heaven, McDonald
Jordyn Miller – Mahoning County | Parish: Saint Mary Magdalene, Youngstown
Dalton Nellis – Ashtabula County | Parish: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Geneva
Andrew Didymus Puhalla – Mahoning County | Parish: Saint Catherine of Siena, Boardman
Abigail Restaino – Trumbull County | Parish: Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Warren
Mattea Spitale – Stark County | Parish: Saint Francis of Assisi, Canton
Rocco Zembala – Portage County | Parish: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora
Catholic School Category:
Madeleine Devlin – Ursuline High School, Youngstown | Parish: Saint Columba Cathedral, Youngstown
Pierce Jones – Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown | Parish: Saint Columba Cathedral, Youngstown
Luke Lantz – Ursuline High School, Youngstown | Parish: Saint Columba Cathedral, Youngstown
Nelson Lopez – Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown | Parish: Saint Dominic, Youngstown
Luke Paul – Central Catholic High School, Canton | Parish: Divine Mercy, Massillon
Landon Stanek – Saint Thomas Aquinas High School | Parish: Saint Isadore, Louisville
Ahtziry Villegas-Camacho – Saint Thomas Aquinas High School | Parish: Saint Francis of Assisi, Canton
Criteria
It’s that time of year again! Eagle of the Cross is 28 years old in the Diocese of Youngstown this year. The Eagle of the Cross award is given annually to outstanding juniors and seniors in high school within the Diocese of Youngstown who show particular zeal in the improvement of their own parish ministry programs, high school ministry teams, or youth work in general within the Diocese.
Nominees must be Catholic, and must exemplify the qualities of moral integrity, prayer, good works, and Catholic-Christian leadership. This award was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, and is the highest honor presented to the youth by the Diocese of Youngstown. Up to 3 awards per county for parish involvement, and up to 2 awards per diocesan Catholic high school are awarded each year.
Click here to access the form: Eagle of the Cross Nomination Packet 2026.docx
*Please note: Only the last two pages of this information packet need to be turned in as your nomination.
Questions? Please visit our FAQ page at doy.org/eagle-of-the-cross-2026 or contact Maddie Francisco at mfrancisco@youngstowndiocese.org or (330) 744-8451 x 310.
