Calling teachers and administrators the “heart and soul of this critical work,” Youngstown Diocesan School Superintendent Mary Fiala formally announced the 2023 Golden Apple Award educators at a May 3 dinner at the Youngstown Country Club.
The awardees are: Cheryl Basista (Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown); Lisa Corcoran (St. Paul Elementary School, North Canton); Cristina Davis (St. Michael Elementary School, Canton); Cynthia Lacko (Ursuline High School, Youngstown); Maxwell McQueen (St. Paul Elementary School, North Canton); Suzanne Turner (St. Michael Elementary School, Canton); and Jacquelyn Venzeio (principal of John F. Kennedy Catholic School—Lower Campus, Warren).
Through the Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh, the Golden Apple Award honors six outstanding teachers and one notable principal in the Diocese of Youngstown’s schools. Fiala told an audience of about 150, “The diocese recognizes and deeply appreciates the unique commitment these educators have to the development of each student.”
She praised the Donahue family—offspring of the late John and Rhodora Donahue—for financing the program over the past 24 years at a total cost locally of $875,000. The Donahues’ 13 children had attended parochial school, and the scholarships recognize “their gratitude for how Catholic schools had influenced their children,” Fiala said.
The award consists of $5,000 in cash, a certificate, a Golden Apple paperweight and lapel pin for each recipient.
Candidates must be a full-time teacher or administrator who has been in the school where they are currently teaching or administrating for at least three full years. Also, the teachers or administrators must provide evidence of the following: professional development, commitment to students and school, leadership qualities, service to church and community, teaching skills and be a role model as a Catholic educator.
Bishop David J. Bonnar, who said he first became aware of the Donahue Foundation as a parish priest near Pittsburgh, said the cause “is near and dear to my heart.” He said the program is an excellent opportunity to “shine the spotlight on Catholic education.”
Bonnar likened the vocation of teaching to the calling of Jesus. “Thanks to your diligence … ” you are “leading students to new vistas and horizons,” he said, adding, “You are called to echo the voice of Jesus. That is what you do and do so well. You bring out the best” in students, he said.
In separate interviews, the Golden Apple recipients spoke to why they believe they were singled out for the honor.
Basista, who holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s from Slippery Rock University, said, “I have dedicated my career to teach special education students—no matter what their challenges and needs are.” Basista, an intervention specialist at Mooney, pointed to a Catholic hymn, “All Are Welcome.” She explained, “My passion is to develop and promote an inclusive atmosphere for all and to instill our Catholic beliefs, morals and values in all of our students.”
A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Corcoran, who teaches Kindergarten at St. Paul after having taught first grade there, sends her students home with a questionnaire early in the school year asking what extracurricular event she can attend with them. “I take an interest in them outside the classroom,” she said, adding that she has done everything from attending soccer games and dance recitals to playing bingo. She is also keen on Girls on the Run with Perry Schools, a self-esteem jogging program for third- to fifth-graders.
Davis, who holds a bachelor’s degree in law from a Spanish university and a post-graduate degree in law from a German college, earned a teaching certificate from Walsh University. She teaches Spanish in grade school, including a class for eight graders who are offered the chance to take a sophomore-level Spanish class as high-school freshmen. “I personally try to have a strict classroom, but we also have a lot of fun … I’m happy when they are laughing,” she said. “I teach them their prayers. The Lord is always present,” she stated.
Lacko, who now teaches religion to Ursuline freshman after stints as a both teacher and principal at St. Patrick School in Hubbard and as teacher at St. Rose School in Girard, said, “I have a love for teaching and the Catholic faith, and I am able to share that with the students.” When she was principal at St. Patrick, “I really missed the kids in the classroom,” she said. She explained her philosophy: “You go where God calls you.”
McQueen, an Ohio University graduate who landed his job at St. Paul right out of college, says he shows students that “I care about them more than just about their grades.” At the beginning and end of each class, McQueen encourages students to quiz him and discuss any subject—even waffles and pancakes, he said. “It’s something different. I really try really hard to build relationships with kids rather than just cover the class content.”
Venzeio, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Youngstown State University, is in her 10th year at Kennedy. She said she works with teachers “to create instructional goals and to help improve teaching strategies … I try to boost morale through positive energy,” she said, explaining, “I think it’s important to explain all the great things they do in the classroom and to provide constructive criticism as well—it drives them to do even better.”
Representing the award recipients as a whole, Basista was selected to address the group, saying teachers “are called to live a faith-filled life” that “isn’t always easy.” However, she said, “We know the Lord walks with us,” and that this inspires kindness, patience and love, especially in a place where everyone is “valued and supportive.”
Mitchell Bogan, a Mooney senior who attended St. Nicholas School in Struthers, was selected to speak as a representative of the student body. He said that his “Catholic education is something very important to me.” He explained that he is grateful to his parents for sacrificing, so that and his siblings could attend parochial school. Bogan went on to say that Mooney offered “faith to help guide us to reach our potential.”
In addition to the seven Golden Apple awardees, also honored with a bouquet of flowers was Lori Crofford, curriculum director and associate superintendent, who was retiring the next day. Fiala explained that she had “thoughtfully served” throughout her tenure. She proved “amazing” during the pandemic, working long hours from home. “I am personally grateful working with her as a colleague and a friend,” Fiala said.
Rev. Benson Okpara, in his benediction, mentioned the importance of “celebrating our sisters and brothers … living out the Catholic faith.”
