By all measures, Lydia Ann Kraiger is an outstanding young
woman.
Throughout middle and high school, Kraiger, 16, was active in
her parish, St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax, and her
community.
She volunteered at the Arlington diocesan WorkCamp,
maintained a 4.07 GPA at Oakton High School and has been
member of the National Junior Honor Society. She’s been
active at parish events, served at Mass, been a church
lector, and is a member of the teen choir. Additionally,
she’s played CYO basketball and serves in a technical
capacity at the Oakton High School theater.
Her father, Charlie Kraiger, is a member of the Fr. Francis
Diamond Council No. 6292.
Council members encouraged him to nominate his daughter for
the 2015 Outstanding Young Woman of the Year award. She was
always doing things for the council, and they were aware of
her activities in the parish and community.
Charlie detailed his daughter’s achievements and sent them to
the council, which submitted them to the state for review.
The Knights of Columbus Virginia State Council recognized
Lydia as a finalist for the state’s Outstanding Young Woman
of the Year at the Grand Knight’s Ball at Army Navy Country
Club in Fairfax June 7.
Charlie was there to see his daughter receive the award that
included a plaque and a $50 gift certificate. It was a proud
moment for Charlie, who said that his daughter works hard for
the parish and the community.
“I’m pleased, happy and proud that (Lydia) received the
award,” he said.
The award originally was going to be a surprise for Lydia,
but Charlie and Grand Knight Patrick A. McGuire decided it
would be difficult to get Lydia to come to the ball without a
good reason. So the grand Knight called her the Thursday
before the event to tell her about the award.
Of all the things that she is involved in, one is a favorite.
“I love WorkCamp,” she said, “it’s so great.”
Oakton High School breaks for summer vacation June 19. On
June 20, Lydia will join about 800 other outstanding young
men and women to spend a week making homes habitable for
those in need.
Samantha A. Malanga representing Battlefield Council No.
10246 in Fredericksburg was named Outstanding Young Woman and
Charles J. Egress of Fr. Edward L. Richardson Council No.
111984 in Chesapeake was named Outstanding Young Man.
