The Springfield in Illinois Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) has awarded $500 scholarships to four high school senior girls. The annual scholarship awards are given to young women who best exemplify the values of the DCCW by bringing spirituality, leadership and service to their school, parish and community. For 13 years the DCCW has acknowledged and rewarded outstanding young leaders who are willing to use their gifts and talents to serve Christ and his church.

This year, applications were received from 81 candidates throughout the Springfield diocese. The 2013 High School Leadership Scholarship Awards went to the following recent high school graduates:

Jessica Bowlin, daughter of Tom and Carolyn Bowlin of Effingham, is a graduate of Effingham High School. She earned a 4.0 grade point average and was ranked first out of a class of 198. Jessica has received awards from the National Honor Society and is an Illinois State Scholar.

Jessica's extracurricular activities include Student Council, Spanish Scholar Bowl and Club, Chemistry Club, WYSE Team, Pep Club, Scholar Bowl and Volleyball. When she was president of Venture Crew #2040 she was able to lead the club to their goal of a trip overseas to Spain and France.

Jessica has participated in a Franciscans for the Poor mission trip to Cincinnati, Ohio and Catholic HEART Workcamp mission trips to Mishawaka, Ind., and Chicago, to assist the poor and needy with various projects.

Outside school Jessica volunteers with Ramblin' Rose bus at Catholic Charities to take clothes and school supplies to neighboring towns in need. At the Family Life Center she cares for and teaches the children of the teen moms who attend weekly Lifeskill Workshops.

Jessica is a member of Sacred Heart Parish and helps out at the parish picnics and dinners. She is active with the parish youth group and enjoys visiting the nursing home at Christmas to bring gifts and sing Christmas carols.

Jessica says, "As members of God's church I believe we are all called to service in some way. My faith gives me the passion and strength to help others in our community and around the world. I really enjoy the service work that I do, and I hope that it will inspire others to do the same."

Jessica plans to attend Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to major in physics.

Ashley Garrett, the daughter of Deanna Garrett of Fowler and George Garrett, graduated cum laude from Quincy Notre Dame High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Society of Academic Achievement and was given the John A. Spring Award for Excellence in 2012.

As a cheerleader, Ashley earned several awards: the UCA America Needs Cheerleaders Award for leadership, UCA Great Motions and Smiles, Most Spirited Cheerleader, Outstanding Basketball Cheerleading Captain, Most Positive Attitude, and the Coaches Award of Merit. In addition she was active with Concert Chorale, Comedy Ensemble, Students Against Destructive Decisions, the yearbook and the school newspaper. Because of her leadership and faith, Ashley was selected to be the QND Fund Drive student speaker for 2012 and the QND open house student speaker for 2013.

Ashley shares her faith as a member of the Hands and Feet of Christ, the God Squad and has worked over 155 hours in the Great River Teens Encounter Christ program. She has logged over 85 hours for Blessing Hospital Youth Corps and the Surgical Center of Quincy. This summer she served at the Catholic HEART Workcamp mission trip to Virginia Beach, Va.

At school and at St. Anthony Church, Ashley has been serving as a extraordinary minister of Communion, singing in the choir and acting as a lector at Masses.

"I try to live my life every day with the same love Christ had, and still has, for everyone," Ashley says. "By trying to love everyone, I show a positive type of leadership and willing service. I try to live my life by my faith and I show my faith through my actions and words."

Ashley will be attending Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, Mo., to obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Emily Schultz attended St. Anthony High School in Effingham and graduated fourth in a class of 50 students. She was active with Student Council, National Honor Society, Pep Club, Spanish Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In addition to being an Illinois State Scholar, Emily has received the DAR Good Citizenship Award and the IHSA Scholar Athlete Award for SAHS.

She has attended the University of Notre Dame Visions Leadership Camp, statewide Student Council conventions and is a junior counselor for the Illinois Association of Junior High Student Council's summer leadership camp.

Emily attended the Eastern Illinois University Camp, Energizing Emerging Entrepreneurs, and won first place in the business plan competition. Through the CEO class she started Embrace the Cross, a business that sells bracelets with a unique cross design. Ten percent of all profits from the business are donated to the Cross Foundation.

Emily logged over 1,000 service hours, even though St. Anthony High School only requires 80 to graduate. She is a monthly greeter and volunteer at the Cross at the Crossroads. She also volunteers at the Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary and the Effingham County Humane Society Shelter. She plays the harp at community events, St. Anthony Memorial Hospital and at the local nursing homes.

Emily and her parents, Robert and Audra Schultz of Effingham, are members of St. Anthony of Padua Parish. She is a eucharistic minister and shares her musical talents at the piano, organ, harp and bell choir at church. She is also part of the Radio Audio Mass crew that tapes Mass for Catholic Radio.

"I am fortunate to have strong role models in my life and I am determined to be a supportive role model to others looking for encouragement, enthusiasm, faith and direction," she says.

Emily plans to attend St. Mary's College at Notre Dame, Ind., to major in nursing and minor in business.

Mallory Stimac attended Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto and ranked second in the graduating class of 184 students. She is the daughter of Matt and Jen Stimac of Bethalto.

At school Mallory has participated in a variety of activities including Student Council vice president, Student Council service project chairman, and liaison for the Riverbend Growth Association, Saturday Scholars Program, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Medical Occupations Club.

She is an Illinois State Scholar and received the Illinois Principal's Association Outstanding Student Award and a PSAE Award for Exceeding in Reading. She served as captain of the varsity volleyball and soccer teams and was chosen as a St. Louis Post Dispatch scholar athlete.

Mallory is interested in pursuing a medical degree and participated in a shadowing program at St. Louis Children's Hospital and continues to help at the hospital as a volunteer. She also volunteers at the Madison County Children's Advocacy Center, Boys and Girls Club of Alton, Arms of Love, Special Olympics and Riverbend Headstart and Family Services. In 2012 she was a general election judge for Madison County.

At Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Bethalto, Mallory volunteers at the church nursery and is active with their youth group. She is a group leader for the annual Luke 18 retreat for the middle school parish youth. In January she attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C., to speak out for life, justice and freedom for all — born and unborn.

"I have enjoyed expressing myself academically, spiritually, socially and through my extra-curricular and community involvement," Mallory says. "Through my leadership roles, volunteer experiences and activities with my church's youth group, I've learned that sharing my time and talents with others is extremely rewarding; but knowing that I have made an impact on someone's life as a result, is truly empowering."

Mallory will be attending the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana to study biology/chemistry-pre-med.