BISHOP'S SCHOLARS
Two receive scholarship to attend Briar Cliff University

May 3, 2007

Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Bishop of the Sioux City Diocese recently announced the recipients of The 2007 Bishop's Scholarship. Alyssa Langel of Remsen, Iowa and Rose Crimmins of Fort Dodge, Iowa are this year's winners.

The Diocese of Sioux City selects annually two graduating seniors to receive The Bishop's scholarship to attend Briar Cliff University in Sioux City. These selective awards target students with high academic performance, require an ACT of 24 or higher (equivalent SAT of 1100 or higher) and rank in the top 25 percent of their class. Recipients must belong to a parish within the Diocese of Sioux City and have the support of their pastor. The scholars are eligible for a four-year award if they maintain a 3.0 grade point average while attending Briar Cliff University.

Alyssa Langel is a senior at St. Mary's High School of Remsen. She has grade point average of 3.9 and an ACT score of 26. Langel has been involved in many activities of St. Mary's High School and hopes to study graphic design with a career goal to work in a mission-oriented organization. She shared with the committee her dedication to her faith as witnessed by her parents and most especially her grandmother, Esther Langel.

Langel has demonstrated her leadership skills as part of the Christian Leadership Team of her school by leading the Liturgy committee. She has also been instrumental in the efforts to promote a Pro-Life perspective for her fellow students.

"Life is a Gift, if we all continue to work towards this belief, we might even overcome the present laws," said Langel. "Service is part of who I am. I believe that we can change the world through Christian charity."

Rose Crimmins also has a firm understanding of her obligation to serving others. She has worked with many different types of mission projects in her school, parish and community. As a student at St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge she has a GPA of 3.99 and an ACT score of 25. Crimmins hopes to study in the field of science to pursue a career in Optometry and also hopes to find ways to share her talents in the missions of the church.

She has already demonstrated her responsibility to others as a tutor for younger girls who need extra help in math. She has worked with elementary students for the past four years. When asked what she could give to the Briar Cliff University community, Crimmins shared that she was willing to work hard with others to make the university a better place. As a sophomore she was one of eight students who began to raise the awareness of the Respect of Life issues in her school. Today, there are over 70 students at St. Edmond's who are working to promote a firm faithfulness to all life, especially the lives of the unborn.

"I continue to be inspired with the caliber of students we have at Briar Cliff University. My hope is that these scholarships will help grow the recipient's faith and prepare them to be future leaders in the world and in the church." Said Bishop Nickless. Both Langel and Crimmins will begin their freshman year at Briar Cliff this fall.