Cheshire Resident Receives Prestigious Award

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Senior Abbey Lawlor was presented with the distinguished Mother Clelia Merloni Award at Sacred Heart Academy’s Honors Convocation.

This award, named for the foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is given each year to the senior who, in the opinion of the Sisters of the Academy, consistently exemplifies the ideals of love, service and reparation—the three hallmarks of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The recipient is an outstanding Christian woman and best exemplifies the charism and vision of Mother Clelia Merloni and the Apostles.

“Abbey is an outstanding Christian woman…she is the quintessential Sacred Heart Academy student, known for her dedication and commitment to the mission, vision, and core values of the Academy and the Apostles. Administrators, faculty members, and fellow students alike have witnessed her compassion for others, her leadership ability, and her passion for service,” offered President Sr. Sheila O’Neill, ASCJ, Ph.D., ’71

Abbey is a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, RAOK, Musical, and served as president of Book Club. She was a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams. A Kairos Retreat Leader, Abbey traveled to Clelian Heights School on a mission trip, served as an altar server at her church, and founded and co-chaired Sister to Sister so as to provide an opportunity for students to interact with the older Sisters at the Manor. During junior year she was presented with the Lenore LaBonia Scholarship. Special honors during senior year include the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Honorable Mention on the National Spanish Exam, and the Four Year Honors Award.

“There are so many of my classmates deserving of this award. The Sacred Heart Academy community has supported and guided me throughout my four years and I am so blessed to have been a part of such a loving family. I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of the 2015 Mother Clelia Award,” offers Abbey.

In the fall, Abbey will attend Fairfield University as a nursing major. The daughter of Kevin and Marianne Lawlor of Cheshire, she hopes to one day become a geriatric nurse.