On Tuesday, March 2022, Loyola seniors Charles Legaspi, Ethan Ide, and Jonathan Antoon were recognized as official 2022 Christian Service Award recipients. The Christian Service Award is awarded annually by the Los Angeles Archdiocese, featuring Catholic High School seniors for their exceptional service to their community. Two to three high schoolers from each Catholic High School are chosen each year.
Legaspi was highlighted for his work in promoting inclusivity and service across Loyola’s campus through the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Arrupe Leadership team, as well as his position on the L.A. Youth Advisory Board (YAB), wherein he worked to secure equitable funding for underprivileged and underserved students in the L.A. region.
Legaspi stated, “This whole experience was so surreal. I first heard about the Christain Service Award during my Freshman year, and to be selected for such a prestigious achievement as a current senior makes me feel so fulfilled. I encourage all students to engage in community service and strive to make an impact on your community.”
Students chosen to receive the Christian Service Award must meet certain requirements. They must be in their senior year, have spent at least two years in consistent Christian service outside of school, and have the recommendation of the school principal and Christian service moderator.
Center for Service and Justice Program Coordinator Angela Moran, who accompanied the students at the event, stated, “The students that usually receive this award may not be expecting it, and this shows that their engagement and service in the community truly stems from the goodness of their hearts. The recipients are always individuals who stand out and go above and beyond. Sometimes our youth are categorized as self-centered and thinking inward, but these three students serve as a reflection that this generation cares about others, and they break that stereotype that is often imposed upon them.”
The award ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown LA. This event included a Mass presided by Archbishop Gomez and attended by Paul M. Escala, Superintendent of Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Fr. Gregory Goethals, SJ ’73 was also present at the event.
Ide, featured for his extensive community service and founding of K2K tutoring, said, “It was an honor to receive the award. Going to a school with as heavy of a service and justice commitment as Loyola and then being recognized as one of the most exemplary students within that regard was a phenomenal feeling.”
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