Msgr. Spiers Awards 2026

Ryan Alvis, Class of 2026
St. Agatha Parish

Amassing nearly 210 hours beyond the Sophomore Service Requirement, Ryan Alvis is an incredibly active volunteer within his parish, the Upper Arlington community, and Bishop Watterson. For Ryan, “sacrificing my time in order to serve the school gives me an unmatched sense of joy,” a mindset he has extended to serving his broader community as well.

Over the past year, Ryan has assisted St. Agatha’s eighth-grade confirmation program through weekly classes, retreats, and ongoing mentorship. During football season, as a member of the Bishop Watterson State Championship football team, Ryan could also be found on the sidelines of the Upper Arlington Youth Football League, where he served as an assistant coach for the 9U team.

At Bishop Watterson, Ryan is a valued leader, serving as Student Body President, a member of the National Honor Society, Leadership Academy mentor and a Student Ambassador.

Malynn Taku Arrey, Class of 2026
St. Timothy School & Parish

To Taku, there is “great joy in serving my community because there is always someone in need of help.” Throughout her high school career, Taku has recorded more than 200 hours of service with the Our Lady of Bethlehem School and Childcare Summer Program. Over the past several summers, she has become a familiar and trusted presence, assisting lead teachers in classrooms, supervising outdoor play, and— as anyone who has worked with elementary-aged students on hot summer days can attest—serving as an invaluable helping hand on camp day trips.

At Bishop Watterson, Taku has been an active leader, participating on both the Kairos and Freshman Retreat Leadership teams and serving as a Student Ambassador. In total, she has accumulated more than 300 hours of community service during her high school career.

Juliana Brown, Class of 2026
Marburn Academy

When COVID-19 arrived, Juliana and her mother saw an opportunity to begin volunteering with the Nnemap Food Pantry—an opportunity Juliana continues to pursue on a weekly basis six years later. Through this experience, Juliana has made “meaningful connections with fellow volunteers and even some of the customers. Their kindness and gratitude make waking up early on Saturday mornings truly worthwhile.”

In 2021, Juliana began volunteering with Nnemap’s annual Christmas drive and has since worked her way up to serving as event co-chair. In addition to her service at Nnemap, Juliana regularly volunteers at the Columbus Humane Society, where she walks dogs and teaches basic tricks and manners to help them find their fur-ever homes.

Each Halloween, she also volunteers with the Blue Jackets Foundation, helping distribute candy to students in communities where traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating is not possible. Overall, Juliana has recorded more than 360 hours of service during her time at Bishop Watterson.

Anna Rose Gradisar
Class of 2026, St. Andrew School & Parish

When Anna Rose embraces volunteer work, she considers both the immediate needs of the community and the long-term impact of service. She believes it is important to “focus on how support is delivered, who it reaches, and what happens when it ends.” Over time, service has become less about completing tasks and more about understanding why certain needs exist—and why they persist even when people are constantly trying to help.

As a volunteer at the Columbus Dream Center, Anna Rose has led both a Thanksgiving Meal Drive and an Easter Basket Drive. Through her role on BWHS Student Council, she also served as an important liaison for the Homeless Families Foundation, helping organize donations and prepare materials for families. She volunteers regularly with K Studio Dance, and during the summer months dedicates approximately nine hours each week to sorting, packing, and distributing food to clients of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

At Bishop Watterson, Anna Rose serves as the Charity and Outreach Committee Chair on Student Council and as a Student Ambassador. She has contributed more than 350 hours of service to the Columbus community during her time at Watterson.

Cecilia Keller, Class of 2026
Immaculate Conception School & Parish

For Cecilia, service takes many forms. “It is a reminder of what we are called to do as followers of Christ, a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, and a way to grow in gratitude.” Cecilia has an exceptionally diverse service record, accumulating more than 360 hours of service during her four years at Bishop Watterson. Following a positive Sophomore Service experience, she continued volunteering regularly at Ganzhorn Suites, a senior care facility for individuals living with dementia. There, Cecilia leads weekly activities such as chair yoga, coloring, and memory games for residents.

At IC parish, Cecilia has been a longstanding volunteer in a variety of roles, including serving as an altar server, live-streaming Sunday Mass for the parish website, and assisting with the parish fish fry and festival. At Whetstone Library, she provides elementary tutoring in math and reading comprehension.

As a track athlete, Cecilia has also given back to the Ohio Senior Olympics by assisting with track and field scorekeeping and ribbon distribution.  Finally, Cecilia is a dedicated and active member of the Bishop Watterson community. She serves as Senior Class President, is a state-champion cross country runner, Leadership Academy mentor, Student Ambassador, and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Club.