Congratulations to this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipients: Mrs. Holly Groves and Mrs. Susan Ender. The Distinguished Service Award is an honor presented annually to two adult members of the Everest Collegiate High School & Academy community who have exemplified the apostolic dimension of Everest formation through their contributions to the Everest community. This implies:
- Regularly making significant individual contributions through volunteerism to the Everest environment;
- Dedication to the growth and unity of the Everest community;
- An apostle in constant pursuit of higher Christian ideals;
- Leadership attributes of perseverance, fortitude, and charity – guided by a well-formed conscience.
School president, Mr. Nalepa, presented the recipients with their awards. Their names will also be memorialized as a part of the updated gym hallway design that continues to unfold.
Mr. Nalepa thanked Mrs. Ender for her years of selfless giving. “As you know through your 26 years of experience at Everest, leadership is often about silent, unrecognized service. When we look at the list of past distinguished service award recipients, your name is glaringly missing. That is not a reflection of deserving; it is a reflection of the serving and apostolic heart that lifts others up. Over the years, you’ve worn so many hats. It is what you’ve done – seen and unseen – that goes beyond your job description that makes you so deserving of this award. From countless late-night events from concerts to conferences, open houses, and lock-ins to early morning phone calls to find guest teachers and coverages, you’ve supported the faculty in living their own vocations as teachers and parents. We heard it so well from each of them this week at your retirement party. You’ve always possessed the capacity to see the person behind the situation. You’ve helped the entire leadership team to slow down and see what is really going on with a person. You know how to take into consideration what is going on in a person’s personal life and when to demand more of them. It is a heart like that of Christ himself that has made you an incredible school leader. Your passion for education is a reflection of Christ, the Good Shepherd.”
He went on to thank Mrs. Groves for not only her acts of service, but her attitude of helpfulness and looking to help improve. “When we consider the service you have given to Everest, it is not only the long list of tasks and hours that we see. We see primarily an individual who has lived her faith and her vocation as a mother in such a way that she exemplifies the heart of an apostle. Over the years, you’ve managed to juggle work outside the home and at the same time feed more Mountaineers than perhaps anyone besides our food services department. From the B16 to the JPII, ECYD camps, and March for Life, you have spent countless hours making sure they have what they need. You’ve coached all sorts of sports teams, while always being on the sideline to cheer for your own children. You see needs within our community, and rather than complaining about them, you offer solutions or a helping hand. Whether or not we’ve taken you up on all those offers, they have not fallen on deaf ears. From offering to help with sports scheduling to textbook solutions, you are eager to help serve the school community in any way you can. The entire leadership team joins me in thanking you for your sacrifice and service that has made a significant impact on the Everest community.”
