Press Release posted 1/24/17 – Alverno Heights Academy senior Cassidy Castillo has been selected as Alverno’s recipient of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service Medal for 2017. Cassidy will receive her award on Tuesday, March 14 during a special Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
Cassidy, a graduate of St. Benedict Parish School in Montebello, was chosen from among 54 other seniors for this award. As a member of Campus Ministry for the last two years, Cassidy has worked to help ensure the success of a number of different projects on campus including Alverno’s Annual Cupcake Craze for She’s the First, which raised over $1,000 for girls’ education in the developing world this fall, and the Adopt-A-Family Project with the Children’s Law Center of California. Cassidy also serves as the Secretary of Campus Ministry in the Alverno Student Union where she is responsible for helping to involve the entire campus community in the service projects, prayer services, retreats, and liturgies.
Last year, Cassidy created the project “One Heart One” for her social justice service project in theology. The mission of “One Heart One” was to promote awareness of poverty and homelessness and to contribute to the issue by providing warm blankets to the Union Rescue Mission. Cassidy, along with other girls on campus, helped to create over a dozen blankets that were donated to individuals in need.
Outside of Alverno, Cassidy volunteers with the Union Rescue Mission and CicLAvia as well as volunteering at her home parish, St. Benedict Church. At St. Benedict she serves as a lector, cantor, and altar server for Mass, and provides guidance and assistance to the Confirmation classes.
When not involved with volunteer work and Campus Ministry, Cassidy is a member of the Cross Country team at Alverno and has appeared in a few Alverno musical productions including The Addams Family and Beauty and the Beast. Cassidy will next star as “Penny” in Alverno’s upcoming production of Hairspray in April.
“Cassidy is a perfect example of how one individual can make a lasting impact on her community,” said Julia V. Fanara, Head of School. “The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service Medal is a tremendous honor awarded to young women and men who are shining examples of service and commitment to others and we are proud to have Cassidy represent Alverno Heights Academy as our recipient. Not only is Cassidy an exemplary example of our mission but also a woman who demonstrates the wonderful values of our founders, the Sisters of St. Francis and Immaculate Heart Community.”