Monsignor Spiers Service Awards Winners

The Monsignor Spiers Service Awards are named after Monsignor Edward Spiers, the founding principal when Bishop Watterson opened its doors in 1954.  Monsignor Spiers served as principal at Bishop Watterson from 1953-1971.  Today we honor individuals who have upheld his commitment to the Christian values of service and education.  A homecoming week tradition that goes back to 1996, the Awards are given by Student Council to honor Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students who have performed outstanding service in both the school and the community.  This year the selection committee has chosen four students to receive the Monsignor Spiers Service Award.

Kelsi Connors
Kelsi says that service has always been a fundamental value in her household, and that it is an honor to be trusted with the responsibility of helping others. Senior Kelsi Connors has performed 600 service hours, and the impact of her service has reached her neighbors, parish, school and global community. Kelsi has participated in the Gospel Road and Nicaragua trips, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, served as a Eucharistic minister and as a Kairos Leader, and volunteers regularly as a child care provider. At school, Kelsi serves as the Secretary on the Executive Board of Student Council, is a member of the National Honor Society, is a captain on the girls cross country team, and a member of the swim and track and field teams. Kelsi notes that volunteering has been a humbling and rewarding experience that has helped her grow deeper in faith and stronger in community.

Danielle Fisher
Danielle states that through her experiences as a volunteer, she has discovered her passion to help children with Down Syndrome and Autism. With the iCan Bike program, senior Danielle has helped children with Down Syndrome reach their goals by learning how to ride bikes. Danielle has also served as a Kairos leader and twice participated in Gospel Road. She also runs on the BWHS Cross Country team, babysits, and works with children at the Bounce House.  Danielle speaks about service as a true way to represent Jesus to others, and a source of great love, happiness, joy and thankfulness in her life.

Annie Schnegg
The value of service to Annie Schnegg can best be expressed by her belief that ‘it is through service that we truly grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God, and hear the call for our true vocation.’ Annie describes the process of fulfilling her Sophomore Service Training Program at Riverside Methodist Hospital as the experience that helped her truly understand what a vocation is, and helped her to feel pulled towards becoming a pediatric nurse after college. She now regularly volunteers at Riverside, serves as a representative for the Diocesan Youth Council, volunteers in the St. Brigid of Kildare religious education program, and is a member of the Girl Scouts. Annie says that “there is nothing better than helping someone and knowing you not only impacted their lives, but that they, too, have changed your life forever.”

Kyle Simmonds
Kyle Simmonds has amassed nearly 900 service hours, primarily through his parish and the Diocese of Columbus, and in service to Bishop Watterson and his community. At school, he is involved in Student Council, the Human Rights Club, Worship Band, and as a Senior and Kairos Leader. He has served on Gospel Road, in parish ministry, on the Diocesan Youth Council, and at the National Catholic Youth Conference. Kyle describes the “awesome joy of seeing God” in those whom he serves as he gets to know them. He describes the responsibility of serving the underprivileged and recognizing that “every person has something which makes them excited about life or makes their life worth living, and in serving we can help them remember that one thing or hold onto it a little longer.”