MOUNT ST. MARY STUDENT WINS 2015 DIOCESAN YOUTH AWARD

In recognition of outstanding faith and service to the community, Mount Saint Mary Academy senior and Westfield resident, Brianna Tucciarone, was chosen to be a recipient of the 2015 Diocesan Youth Award. This award honors high school teens for their faith and dedication to their community, school and/or parish. Brianna received a Certificate of Recognition presented by Bishop Bootkoski during a special Mass at The St. John Neumann Pastoral Center.

At the age of nine, Brianna became an altar server at St. Luke’s Parish in North Plainfield where she served for over eight years. She participated in the training classes for new servers, also. During her freshman year at the Mount, she decided to encourage students to understand the gift of faith, so she became a CCD teacher. The relationships she formed as a teacher in the classroom and as an altar server have allowed her to connect with members of her community.

As she prepares for a new journey as a college student, Brianna was reminded of the impact of educators by the examples of her teachers. According to Brianna, she “feels very fortunate that I’ve been educated in a school that fosters finding the grace and strength in my faith. All of my work at the Mount and in my parish have made me who I am today, a leader constantly seeking another way to serve.” Brianna is the Student Council Executive Board President and the Class President of her graduating class for the past four years.

The Mount community is proud of Brianna’s outstanding achievement. Mount Saint Mary Academy is a Catholic, independent school which provides an exemplary college preparatory education for young women in grades 9 through 12. Founded in 1908 as a sponsored work of the Sisters of Mercy, the Mount remains committed to challenging each student to develop her fullest potential in a Christian atmosphere of love and caring.