During the Catholic Schools Week Prayer Service on Tuesday, January 28, we gratefully recognized three members of our community for receiving regional and national awards.
The Diocese of San Diego Office for Schools awarded one of only two “SD Catholic Seton Awards” to junior Sophia Cook ’26 for her dedicated leadership of our Pilots for Life club, inspired participation in Campus Ministry, including service immersion trips and Bibles and Bagels, and commitment to living out her faith in Christ.
Junior Frances Aguilar ’26 is one of only ten students nationwide, and the only student in California, to receive a National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) “Youth Virtues, Valor and Vision Award.” Inspired by her older brother with cerebral palsy, Frances has completed over 800 hours of community service during her time at OLP, which includes promoting inclusion, awareness, and advocacy for people with disabilities through her founding of a Best Buddies chapter at OLP.
The National Catholic Educational Association has bestowed one of its prestigious “President’s Awards” to OLP Board of Trustee member, Msgr. Richard Duncanson for his decades long leadership in Catholic education throughout the Diocese of San Diego. He has shepherded the development of new, enhanced, and improved buildings, grounds, and programs that have thoroughly enriched the learning experiences of countless students. While serving on the Board of Trustees at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace during two different tenures, Msgr. Duncanson has continually reaffirmed the mission of Catholic education to form faith filled servants leaders who know and love Jesus Christ in a holistic manner. His dedication has guided and informed all of the renovation and new building projects undertaken on our campus over the past twenty plus years.
It was wonderful to welcome Mr. John Galvan, NCEA Vice President of Leadership Engagement, back to OLP to help present the awards to Frances and Msgr. Duncanson. We give thanks for how Sophia, Frances, and Msgr. Duncanson truly embody unifying love for the dear neighbor without distinction!
