Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Carol Mathe received an award from Education Empowerment Inc., a part of Intel for her work and a lifetime of service to Education and Native Youth at St. Peter Indian Mission, Bapchule, Arizona. Sister Carol comments on this honor and the blessing of serving the next generation in our world.
Early in September I received an email from Anna Prakish, President of Education Empowerment Inc., a part of Intel. She informed me that I was being nominated for an award honoring my work and a lifetime of service to Education and Native Youth at St. Peter Indian Mission, Bapchule, AZ. 
My nomination was accepted and I flew to Arizona on December 2. At 4:45 PM on December 4 the award ceremony was held at the Rustic Roost. To my surprise I received two awards.
The first award was a plaque for Leadership in Service to Education and for working with Native Youth in science, STEM and robotics. The powerful words “You Inspire Us” on the plaque summarizes the commitment to fostering love for learning.
The second award was a Lifetime Achievement Award, a certificate signed by President Joseph Biden, President of the United States. It was given in recognition for a lifetime commitment to building a stronger nation through service, especially using robotics and STEM to promote engineering. Along with the certificate was a letter from President Biden thanking me for 4,000 hours of service.
I am deeply grateful to my Religious Community who enabled me to have the opportunity to serve the Native Youth in Bapchule. Listening and following directions leads to success. Assisting young people in making decisions after sincere and thorough discernment is the gift of a Catholic education.
