By Alexia Beatriz Fodere - The Archdiocese of Miami
MIAMI | Danielle Ellie has spent years serving at the altar, leading youth retreats and volunteering in her parish community. This spring, her commitment to faith, service, and academic excellence earned the 14-year-old one of the highest honors presented by the Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.
The active parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and sophomore at Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School received the 2026 Golden Rose Award from the Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Scholarship Committee during the organization's 68th Annual Convention, held May 3 in Miami.
The Golden Rose Award, the scholarship committee's highest student honor, recognizes exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to the Catholic faith. In addition, she received the MACCW Lucy Petrillo Scholarship Award and the MACCW Ray and Doris LaCombe Scholarship Award during the convention luncheon.
Photographer: Alexia Fodere
Fabiola Sanchez-De Armas, right, president of the Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, congratulates Danielle Ellie after presenting her with the 2026 Golden Rose Award during the organization's 68th Annual Convention in Miami.
Recognizing faith, leadership, and service
The annual scholarship program recognizes young women who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, service, and a commitment to the Catholic faith while helping families overcome financial barriers to Catholic education.
Established in 1997, the Catholic Women Scholarship Committee Fund provides financial assistance to eighth-grade girls graduating from Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Miami who plan to attend Catholic high schools. During the past 29 years, the organization has awarded more than $405,000 in scholarships to 92 students.
The scholarship program was established to help families facing financial hardship continue their daughters' Catholic education after eighth grade, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from attending a Catholic high school.
Each Lucy Petrillo Scholarship provides $4,000 toward a student's first year of Catholic high school. Additional tuition assistance is typically available through the Step Up for Students Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and other financial aid programs. The scholarship was renamed in 2015 in honor of Lucy Petrillo, a founding member of MACCW and longtime chair of its scholarship committee.
This year, 10 additional young women joined that list of scholarship recipients. Eight students received the Lucy Petrillo Scholarship Award, while two received the Ray and Doris LaCombe Scholarship Award.
The scholarships are funded through fundraising efforts conducted by MACCW throughout the year, including its annual scholarship luncheon.
Photographer: Alexia Fodere
Sister Elizabeth Worley, left, poses with Fabiola Sanchez-De Armas, president of the Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, during the organization's 68th Annual Convention in Miami. Sister Elizabeth was recognized for her years of dedicated service and commitment to the mission of the Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.
Investing in the future of Catholic education
Fabiola Sanchez-De Armas, MACCW president, said the selection process is designed to recognize students who excel academically while demonstrating leadership, service and a commitment to their Catholic faith.
"Applications are distributed each year to principals of Archdiocesan elementary schools. Each application requires a recommendation from the principal, a signature from the pastor and an essay written by the student," she said. "The selection process considers involvement in school, church and community activities, leadership, academic achievement, future goals, financial need, and the importance of continuing a Catholic education."
Father Michael Greer, MACCW spiritual advisor, said the scholarships are an investment in the future of the Church.
"Today we honor eighth-grade students from our parochial schools to help them continue their Catholic education through financial support and other opportunities," he said. "Our mission is to provide a strong Catholic education and build up the Church for the future. We've done this for many years, and it's especially meaningful when these young women return with gratitude. It reminds us why this work matters."
Karen Lorenzen, a longtime member of the Council of Catholic Women and the scholarship committee, said reading the students' essays is one of the most rewarding parts of the selection process.
"What makes this day special is hearing these young women's stories," she said. "Through their essays, they share why attending a Catholic school matters to them and how deeply their faith is rooted in their hearts. It's inspiring to see these students choose to continue their education and grow in their faith."
Photographer: Alexia Fodere
Father Michael Greer, spiritual advisor to the Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, greets attendees during the organization's 68th Annual Convention in Miami.
A life of service beyond the classroom
Surrounded by her parents, grandmother, and fellow scholarship recipients, Danielle accepted her awards during the convention luncheon.
Among her accomplishments, she was accepted into the St. Michael's Scholar Program at Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School, a rigorous four-year dual-enrollment program leading to both a high school diploma and an associate degree while emphasizing leadership and community service.
She also received the Outstanding Community Service Award in 2025, serves as vice president of her sophomore class, belongs to the Theology and English honor societies, and is captain of her 15U club volleyball team, where she was named Most Valuable Player last year.
Her commitment to service extends well beyond the classroom and onto the altar, into parish ministry, and throughout the community.
Danielle has served for several years as head altar server at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, mentoring younger altar servers during Mass. She also serves on the parish's High School Spirit Life Core Team, helping organize youth group meetings, retreats and faith formation activities. In addition, she has been a peer leader for the Shield Middle School ministry, assists with Campus Ministry retreats at Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School, and volunteers in community outreach programs.
The 2026 Lucy Petrillo Scholarship Award recipients are Nylah Fontia and Adele Jean, both of St. Mary's Cathedral School; Allison Corea, Annunciation Catholic School; Ziva Browne, Good Shepherd Catholic School; Marceline Senecharles, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School; Perhy-Elha Cange, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic School; Meagan Abella, St. Timothy Catholic School; Isabella Cardinas, St. Bernadette Catholic School; Ayelen Reyes Centeno, St. Michael Catholic School; and Magnolia Mireau, St. Helen Catholic School.
As the luncheon concluded, the applause celebrated more than scholarships. It honored a new generation of young Catholic women whose faith, leadership, and commitment to service are already strengthening their schools, parishes, and communities.
