Teen recognized for Mary’s Meals work
Allison Ockenfels, a member of St. Joseph Parish-Wellman, was selected as Iowa’s top High School Youth Volunteer in the 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She will attend a national recognition event in Washington, DC in May.
The judges selected Ockenfels, 18, for her volunteer work with Mary’s Meals. She has raised more than $50,000 since 2010 to build school kitchens and provide food to impoverished students in Africa.
Additionally, in regards to her work with Mary’s Meals, Ockenfels will appear on the EWTN program “The Church Universal” as a panelist. The episode will air March 6 at 4 p.m., March 8 at 4 a.m. and March 11 at 9 p.m.
Ockenfels expressed gratitude for those who have been generous in donating to Mary’s Meals, which can feed one child one meal a day at school for less than $20 a year. Visit www.marysmealsiowa.blogspot.com for more information.
Loras graduate honored for writing
DUBUQUE — Mary Agnol, formerly of Davenport, earned a first-place award in the Delta Epsilon Sigma (DES) national writing competition this year. She was one of three Loras College students who received top honors in the writing competition. A fourth student earned an honorable mention. Agnoli received her award in the critical essay category for “An Exploration of Wakefield’s Exterior Reflecting his Inner Self.”
“To have four award winners is incredible and speaks volumes about the quality of these student writers,” said Kevin Koch, Ph.D., professor of English and chair of the DES writing competition.
Students submit work each year to Loras College’s undergraduate writing publication, The Limestone Review. Faculty and student readers choose the best work in each category for the Alpha Award. The Alpha Award winners then go on to compete in the DES writing competition. Agnoli, who graduated last spring from Loras, is the daughter of Deacon Frank and Marianne Agnoli of Davenport.
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