YOUNGSTOWN — The Diocese of Youngstown’s Office of Catholic Schools has announced the 2025 winners of the Golden Apple Award, who will be recognized May 5.

Among the local educators from various diocesan Catholic schools receiving the award are: Jamie Sklenar, teacher at John F. Kennedy School Lower Campus, Warren; Alaina Chepke, teacher at St. Rose Elementary School, Girard; and Michele Vargo, teacher at St. Christine Elementary School, Youngstown.

Diocesan officials said through the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh, the Golden Apple Award honors outstanding individuals who teach or are administrators in Catholic schools. Their selection, from a field of many educators in the Catholic schools, is a recognition of the commitment and witness of all the Catholic school teachers and administrators throughout the diocese.

Officials said the award consists of an unrestricted cash award of $5,000, a certificate, a Golden Apple paperweight and a Golden Apple lapel pin, which are presented to the awardees at a prayer service and award ceremony set May 5 at the Youngstown Country Club.

A selection process at the school and diocesan level was used to determine the awardees. In addition to being a full-time teacher or administrator who has been in the school where they are teaching or administrating for at least three full years, the teachers and administrator must give evidence of the following: professional development, commitment to students and school, leadership qualities, service to church and community, teaching skills and being a role model as a Catholic educator.