Loyola Seniors Honored with Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service Award

On March 20, three Loyola High School of Los Angeles seniors received the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service Award for 2018. Samuel Tilles, Ryan Valte and Raul Orellana were among the 75 students from 51 Catholic high schools honored by Archbishop Gomez. Held at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral, the Loyola Choir under the direction of music teacher Mr. Steven Speciale, sang at the Mass that preceded the awards ceremony.
Representing Loyola at the Mass and awards presentation were Assistant Principal for Student Life Dr. Paul Jordan, Community Service Director Mr. Thomas Zeko, Executive Director of Advancement Lela Diaz and Counselor Mr. Mike Denison.

By being true Men for and with Others, this is how these Loyola seniors earned their awards:

Samuel Tilles’ primary service engagements over the course of his four years at Loyola have included the Loyola Community Service Leadership Team; St. Sebastian School; the Cub Construction Company home building project in Tecate, Mexico; the RAD Camp for special ability youth; the Loyola High School Placement Test Prep Project for 8th graders; the Father and Son Service Day in LA; the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank; and Ocean Park Community Center in Santa Monica. In addition, he has served as editor for the Loyalist student newspaper and El Camino, the Loyola yearbook. 
 
Ryan Valte’s primary service engagements over the course of his four years at Loyola have included Good Shepherd Shelter, No Limits for Deaf Children, the Westside YMCA, St. Anastasia School, the Loyola High School Placement Test Prep Project for 8th graders and the Father and Son Service Day. In addition, he was the photographer and host for the annual Community Service Fair.  While at Loyola, he earned his Eagle rank with the Boy Scouts of America with a service project related to Heal the Bay.  
 
Raul Orellana’s primary service engagements over the course of his four years at Loyola have included Homeboy Industries, the Loyola High School Test Prep Project for 8th graders, the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, DC, St. Thomas the Apostle School and the annual Loyola Community Service Fair.  In Campus Ministry, his volunteer service has included serving as a leader for the senior Kairos program and the annual First Year Retreat.