Scholarship applications came from all over the diocese, said Judy Repking, scholarship committee chair. "We had 69 applications in all and our committee brought it down to our final four," she said. "All the applicants were amazing young women who are actively living their faith in our diocese. They are the hands, feet, voice and heart of Christ to those around them.

"All these young women are busy using their gifts and talents to serve others," Repking said. "Our future looks bright knowing that there are such enthusiastic leaders who care and will make a difference. After reading all the applications I can assure you that the future of our church is in good hands."

The four recipients were each awarded the checks at the honors nights at their respective schools, said Repking. "We hope our presence (at the ceremonies) … helps to acknowledge the mission and work of the DCCW."

The award winners are:

Emma Anderson, a member of St. Agnes Parish in Hillsboro and salutatorian of the Class of 2014 at Hillsboro High School, held leadership positions in the National Honor Society, Scholar Bowl, band, choir, Spanish Club, school musical, tennis team, the FFA and 4-H. At her parish, she is a eucharistic minister, and Mass server. She helps train servers, visits nursing homes, is involved in the music ministry and assists with PSR, Vacation Bible School, parish missions, and the Lenten soup supper. In her community, she has helped with the Thanksgiving food drive, the Angel Tree Christmas present drive, FFA Food for America, Farmer's Little Helpers, Illinois Products Expo, Paws Care and Senior Olympics.

Anderson will be attending the University of Missouri in Columbia majoring in international agribusiness and minoring in Spanish. "Throughout high school I have discovered that faith is essential to success. Academic challenges and extracurricular activities have taught me that self-confidence is the difference between followers and leaders," she said. "However it is not enough to have faith in ourselves. In order to truly achieve greatness, we must believe in something bigger than all of us."

Maria Climaco, member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Arcola and 2014 valedictorian of Arcola High School, serves as a lector and Mass server, volunteers with Vacation Bible School, the PSR program and Catholic Charities. In high school she served in leadership for Student Council, American Field Service, Drama Club, band, cheerleading and volleyball. She qualified for National Honor Society and Scholastic Bowl and helped with the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. In her community she is active with Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Centers Volunteer program, Arcola Lion's Club, Arcola schools book drive, Arcola Food Pantry and is a volunteer pianist at Carriage Crossings Senior Living.

Climaco will be attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in community health with a minor in Spanish. "Throughout my life I have strived to be a positive leader in my school and a productive member of society," she said. "I am always willing to provide services to my community, parish and school while exemplifying my values of faith."

Julie Conrad, a member of Christ the King Parish in Springfield and a graduate of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, excelled academically with the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and state algebra team. She was on the varsity swim team, in the Encore choir and participated in spring musicals. Additionally, she was an IMEA district and all-state honors qualifier in voice and received her Silver Cross in Voice this spring. She was involved with a service class volunteering at Sojourn Women's Shelter, the Compass After-School Program tutoring and teaching life skills, the SHG Works program and JOSHUA mission trips. She was also a teen board member of the Order of Preachers. At her parish she has been a cantor and involved with the church choir.

Conrad will be attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville, majoring in biology on the pre-med track. "As a Catholic, I do as Jesus taught us by sharing my blessings with others. Service requires leadership, responsibility, selflessness, and above all, passion," she said. "If you love what you do, the outcome is 100 times greater. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing you made a difference in someone's life."

Margaret "Maggie" Mumm, the valedictorian of St. Anthony High School for the Class of 2014, achieved history at her school with one of the highest ACT scores and was selected as a finalist in the 2014 National Merit Scholar program. She was also on the winning team at the Regional Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering academic challenge and took first place in biology and second place in chemistry. Outside the classroom she was active in volleyball, basketball, Spanish Club, Student Council, Science Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the First Friday Faith Club. In her community she was active in helping with Special Olympics volleyball, assisting with grade school basketball camps, serving at the fund-raiser dinner for Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Youth Work Camp mission. At her parish, St. Anthony of Padua, she is a eucharistic minister and assists with Vacation Bible School, bakes sales and the church picnic.

"I attended St. Anthony High School where I performed almost 200 service hours and became co-captain of my volleyball and basketball teams and head of eucharistic ministers for campus ministry," Mumm said. "I hope to continue my journey in faith as I pursue a career in medicine." She will be attending Saint Louis University and majoring in biology with possible minors in psychology and chemistry.

All four winners will be recognized at the 86th annual SDCCW convention that will be held this year at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Their family members and parish priests are invited to attend with them.

SDCCW has been awarding and acknowledging outstanding young diocesan women for 14 years. To date, they have awarded $25,500 in scholarships.