MAY 2014

Since 2007, Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), Court #2085, in New Braunfels, has awarded over $27,000 in scholarships to 48 students. This has been possible because of the generosity and support of Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners. Besides scholarships, CDA contributes monetarily to various other parish ministries and community projects. These include: Garden ministry, Youth ministry, Youth ACTS, Relay for Life, Blue Star Mothers, CASA, Padua House, Smile Train and many others.

Below are comments from or about prior year scholarship recipients. Please keep these young people in your prayers as they go about preparing for their life’s work

Daniel Duer is attending Texas A&M and is doing an internship in San Antonio at a construction company. He plans to go to Hawaii this summer to discern for the priesthood and plans to use the money earned from his internship to go.

My name is Araceli Ayala and I am a recipient of the Catholic Daughters scholarship. I want to say thank you again for the generous scholarship. It truly helped me get started in college. I was the first of my family to begin the journey of college. I selected the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, Texas. I am currently a senior with one semester left--- graduation date being in December of 2014. I am a nursing major hoping to pursue a job in the neonatal intensive care unit. My college experience at a Christian university has truly impacted my life and my character. I could not imagine being anywhere else. The scholarship was helpful applying it toward my tuition. It also made me eager to work harder to be eligible for more scholarships. I am blessed with a supportive family and community and look forward to achieving my goals as an RN, BSN.

Ryan Ortez - graduated from UT-Austin in May of 2013 with a degree in Biochemistry. He has been applying to medical schools after shadowing
family practice doctors and ER doctors. He wants to study Family Practice medicine. He needs six more years to reach his goal.

Mary-Cate Machalec is attending UT-Austin and is completing her sophomore year. She is studying English and writing and wants to be a writer. Currently she serves as contributing editor for a newsletter for an on-campus organization. She attends St. Austin Catholic Church where she is very active in the Awakening Ministry and leads retreats.

Christina Molina graduated from Texas State in 2012. She is currently a 3 ^rd grade teacher in Elgin. Christina plans to be married in the fall at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Thank you so much for the scholarship two years ago. It sure helped ease the stress of coming to college! I’m still pursuing a degree in mathematics with plans to go into the teaching field. My classes are challenging, but interesting as well (prayers are always appreciated!!) I’m also involved in the math club/honor society (holding the titles of Association of Women in Mathematics Chair, as well as Treasurer). Last but not least, I’m involved at St Mary’s as liturgy coordinator/altar server at the 8 a.m. mass on Sundays in addition to being a co-coordinator of the Freshmen Connection group, an organization whose mission is to minister to, welcome, and connect the freshmen of A&M and Blinn. Again, thank y’all for your kind contribution to my education fund; it has helped brighten my future and alleviate some anxiety. God’s blessing, Helen Bain

Kyle Drastata received a scholarship in 2007 and graduated from Texas A&M in 2011 with a degree in business finance and works for a major oil company, Baker Hughes Oil, in Houston. He has traveled all over the world: Brazil, Germany, Spain as well as other major countries. He has been to several states and is now working as the leading consultant for a new factory in Oklahoma. He is doing very well and the scholarship was very much appreciated.

Emily Drastata received a scholarship in 2012 and is attending Texas A&M where she is working on a degree in environmental geo-science. She maintains a 4.0 average and spent some time in Costa Rico. She will be doing an internship this summer where the company sought her out to work for them. Emily has the opportunity to work with the Disney Corporation for a year doing environmental work or she can finish her degree next year and begin a graduate degree at Berkeley. She is very active at St. Mary's Church in College Station. Emily serves as an ambassador for the church and is in a sorority at the church. She attends daily mass where she says the church is full every morning.








Patrick Fumagalli I am graduating this May with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. During my four years at the University, I participated heavily in the University Tennis and Running Club and many other intramural sports. I am a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and a parishioner of the University Catholic Center on Campus. Following graduation I will be working in Houston for Kellogg, Brown and Root. Again thank you for the scholarship from the Catholic Daughters.

Anna Menditto spent 2 years at Texas State and then transferred to Texas Health Sciences of Nursing. She will graduate in December as an R.N. Anna, a very hard worker, has made the dean’s list several times.

Caitlyn Hanson received a scholarship in 2012 and is at UT-Austin working on a secondary degree in education. She just completed her second semester of student teaching at Crockett High School in Austin, an economically disadvantaged school. She is 19 and her students were 17. She taught calculus and will be getting her math degree as well. Caitlyn was awarded a scholarship for $2,000 from the retired teachers in Austin. She is doing great and loves teaching. Caitlyn is involved with her church and the Catholic student body. She assists with retreats, is involved with Bible Study groups, and participates in Relay for Life.

Shannon and Erin Lynch are attending Texas A&M, majoring in Bio-medical science. Both are straight A students. Shannon and Erin are very involved at St. Mary’s Catholic Church including assisting with high school retreats.

Mary Grace Gagnon is attending Texas A&M, majoring in Biology. She has made the Dean’s list and has been invited to join the Academic Honor Society. Mary Grace sings in the choir at St Mary’s Catholic Church. She loves school and the Catholic life atmosphere at A&M.

Edward Stockwell, a junior at UT-Austin, majoring in Communications, was
Entertainment Director at TSTV (student TV station). Next year, as a senior, he has been selected to be the Station Manager, which is a great honor……and comes with a salary and office. Edward has had summer intern opportunities with Clear Channel and Rooster Tooth Productions, a film company. He participates in the University Catholic Student Center on a regular basis.



My name is Victoria Ayala and I was fortunate enough to receive the Catholic Daughters of America Scholarship a few years ago. Thank you so much for checking up on me. This means a lot! I just finished my first semester in Nursing School and I could not feel more blessed. I am in Nursing School at UT-Austin and am ahead of schedule and plan to graduate in December, 2015. I knew beginning college was already going to be a challenge when I first graduated. When tuition and book payments were due I knew it was going to be even more of a challenge. My father was very encouraging and told us we would make do. I was very, very grateful when I received the Catholic Daughters of Americas’ scholarship. It not only gave me a boost when first starting my college career but gave my family so much faith in our future. Nursing school has been such an amazing experience and I can not wait for the next three semesters! I can assure you that everything I do will make the organization proud!

Sarah Coffey and Elizabeth Coffey (scholarship recipients in 2008 and 2009, respectively) attended and graduated from Texas A&M.  In recent years the family has relocated to the Houston area.

 

Nicole Driscoll graduated from St. Edward's University in Austin and then received a scholarship to Notre Dame.  She is now continuing work on a Masters Degree in Divinity.  Nicole wants to work as a Youth Minister.  

Her sister, Samantha Driscoll is currently a student at St. Edward's University in Austin but is studying in Europe this year.