Cypress Catholic School St. Irenaeus 8th Grade graduate Benicio Totah has been awarded a Notre Dame Club of Orange County (NDCOC) Scholarship Award for Outstanding Community Service.
In making the presentation, NDCOC board officer Irv Cuevas said Totah was honored for exemplifying what it means to “give back” by volunteering and participating in a host of community service programs. Totah is one of 22 Orange County students so recognized by the NDCOC.
St. Irenaeus teachers and administrators who chose Totah, an altar server at Mass and a Boy Scout, said “he completed countless hours of community service; was selfless in giving to others; served as a class president; and always showed a positive and optimistic attitude that was contagious, refreshing, and uplifting”.
A $250 scholarship to offset tuition costs will be forwarded to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower where Totah will attend in the Fall.
NDCOC Scholarship Coordinator Paul Irving said presentation of the Scholarship Awards recognizes graduating 8th graders at each of the 31 Orange County Catholic Diocesan K-through-8 schools participating. In addition, the NDCOC provides each school with plaques on which to list each year’s recipients.
