St. Joseph High School senior Alexis Laggren and Regine Donner, a St. Joseph French Teacher, were honored with Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service Awards in a special Mass on March 18 at St. Basil’s Church in Los Angeles.
Every year the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools recognizes outstanding high school seniors who work to bring about change in their local communities, cities, and society at large, as well as teachers who also deserve recognition as an example of service to their local communities and to their students.
Laggren has been involved in service for the four years she has attended St. Joe’s. She’s served as president for both the Christian Service and Respect Life clubs for three years. Under her leadership, students served the local community through a number of activities that include tutoring at the Good Samaritan Shelter, visiting the elderly in rest homes, and making Easter baskets for homeless children. Laggren also organized the high school’s participation in the 2012 and the 2013 Walk for Life West Coasts held in San Francisco.
Donner lived and worked in Africa for 27 years, where she spent most of her time teaching in Uganda. In 1985, she transferred to St. Joseph High School. She teaches French and is the Christian Service Monitor. In 1998, Donner developed the Marian Medical Center Volunteer Program for all high school students in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Arroyo Grande. Student volunteers offer patients comfort through visits, reading, listening to patients’ stories, and assisting medical professionals.
Service award winners are chosen from 50 archdiocesan Catholic high schools.
