Mae O’Neill, a rising college student and active parishioner of St. John Neumann Church in Reston, received a $3,000 scholarship from the Knights of Columbus Family of Man Council No. 7566 for her dedication to her faith, academics and community service.
“Education is not merely the journey of knowledge, it is the cultivation of character, the polishing of one’s spirit, and the pursuit of excellence in service to others,” O’Neill said.
Faith has remained a constant for O’Neill. In high school, she served as a community leader for her parish, leading talks for the Rooted conference and middle school groups in the diocese. She also participated in the Steubenville Youth Conference, served as a lector and delivered Salesian reflections. O’Neill remained involved in serving the community as a Girl Scout and in a leadership role with the Children of the American Revolution.
“My desire for higher education stems from a profound commitment to personal growth, intellectual curiosity and the aspiration to make a positive impact on the world,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill will be studying marketing and sports management at James Madison University in the fall.
