LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College is pleased to announce the five seniors who have been named finalists for the 51st annual President’s Award. The President’s Award is the College’s highest student honor and is presented to the member of the graduating class who best embodies the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college values in its students—outstanding academic achievement, student leadership and community service.
The 2025 finalists for the President’s Award are Azzia Berestecki, a middle grade education major from West Newton; Erin Brody, a theology and English double major from Homestead; Sarah Hartner, a digital art and media major from Irwin; Natalie Homison, a digital art and media major from Zelienople; and Aiden Jackson, a business administration major from Caroll, Ohio.
Father Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, College president, will present the award at the spring Honors Convocation, which will be held in the historic Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica at 1:00 pm on April 23.
In addition to the presentation of the President’s Award, the College will also announce the Honorable Judge Bernard Scherer Award, the John and Theresa Ragan Poetry Award, the Fr. Ronald Gorka Scholarship awardee, various Student Government Association awards, Academic Excellence for graduates and undergraduate awards, the Quentin Schaut faculty award and the Boniface Wimmer faculty award.
Jon Petrie, MBA, C’05, the chief financial officer for UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital and UPMC Mercy, will deliver the Honors Convocation address.
Azzia Berestecki
Middle grade education major, mathematics and STEM education double minor
Azzia Berestecki, of West Newton, is a middle grade education major with a concentration in mathematics and a minor in STEM education. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and the Benedictine Leadership Studies program. Berestecki is the founding president of the STEM Education Club and has represented Saint Vincent College at various educational events. She is also the box office manager for Saint Vincent Summer Theater and a Campus Ministry work-study, and she has traveled abroad with the Summer Institute in Rome. Her service includes volunteering with the STEM Education Club, participating in SVC Wraps for Kids, serving as a Bearcat BEST job coach, and working as an accommodations note-taker. Additionally, Berestecki has been involved in Sports Friendship Day as an assistant director, the Rooted Discipleship Inter-Denominational planning team, and the Women's Retreat planning committee. She has also contributed to The Company, Saint Vincent College’s student-run musical theater group, as a student producer and performer.
Berestecki plans to become a middle school math and science teacher in Westmoreland County.
Erin Brody
Theology and English double major
Erin Brody, of Homestead, is a double major in theology and English. She is a member of Theta Alpha Kappa (theology), Sigma Tau Delta (English), and Alpha Lambda Delta (general academic) honor societies and has been published in various creative writing journals and newspapers. Brody was awarded the Rev. Nathan Munsch, O.S.B., Scholarship and was a finalist for the Gorka Scholarship.
Brody’s leadership is evident through her roles as a tutor and research assistant in the theology department and as a Fred Rogers Scholar. She also volunteers twice a month with the Prison Christian Growth Group at State Correctional Institution - Laurel Highlands, providing support and guidance to inmates.
Brody will pursue an MDiv/MA dual degree at Princeton Theological Seminary on a full scholarship and stipend and aims to serve as a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, with future aspirations for doctoral studies.
Sarah Hartner
Digital art and media major, marketing and theology double minor
Sarah Hartner, of Irwin, is a digital art and media major with a concentration in graphic design and minors in marketing and theology. She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta academic honors society and has served as the coordinator for both Praise and Worship Music and the Women's Small Group for Campus Ministry.
Hartner is also a member of the dance team, the Respect Life Club, and the Bearcat Billiards Club¾for which she serves as secretary¾in addition to being crowned the 2024 Homecoming Queen. Hartner currently manages social media for both Campus Ministry and the Theology Department and has previously worked as a student assistant in the Career and Professional Development Center and the Athletics Office. Over the summer and fall of 2023, she interned with the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board and is now interning with the Diocese of Greensburg, where she will work after graduation as a multimedia content assistant.
Natalie Homison
Digital art and media major
Natalie Homison, of Zelienople, is a digital art and media major with concentrations in graphic design and communication. She is a member of the Benedictine Leadership Studies program and leads a women's small group. Homison serves as a prefect in St. Benedict Hall, mentoring thirteen first-year female students.
Homison was selected by one of her professors to design a document outlining the McKenna School's five-year plan. She has interned at the Latrobe Community Revitalization Program and currently holds three jobs: marketing assistant at the Career & Professional Development Center, intern at Headspace Media, and baker's apprentice at Archabbey Bakery. After graduation, Homison hopes to secure a position in the Latrobe area using her talents in art and media.
Aiden Jackson
Business administration and theology double major
Aiden Jackson, of Carroll, Ohio, is a business administration and theology double major and a member of the Benedictine Leadership Studies program. He has worked as a tutor for the Theology department. Jackson earned the SAAC Scholar Athlete of the Month for the PAC and twice received All-Academic honors from the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Jackson has demonstrated leadership as the captain of both the cross country and track and field teams. He has also served as a project management intern for the Diocese of Columbus. Jackson founded and leads Legion, a weekly men's ministry event for Campus Ministry, and is on the leadership council for the Festival of Praises. He has also worked as a camp counselor at the Catholic Youth Summer Camp in Centerburg, Ohio, for two summers. Jackson has accepted a job in the Columbus, Ohio, area.
