Two Catholic high school students win scholarships from Knights of Columbus

Photo caption: Mike Abbate, Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus, Ascension of our Lord, Council 9623, stands with Mary Grace Connor, Robert Connor, Eliajah Connor, Becky Connor and Gabriel Connor – CYLA Winner. 

Knights of Columbus Council 9623 at Ascension of our Lord in Laplace recently awarded the Catholic Youth Leadership Scholarship Awards to Gabriel Conner and Barry Cummins Jr.

Conner's scholarship will be used at Louisiana State University where she is enrolled in the fall, and Cummins scholarship will go to Xavier University Louisiana where he will attend this fall. 

Grand Knight Abbate with Eliajah Connor, Becky Connor and CYLA scholarship winner Gabriel Connor. 

Grand Knight Mike Abbate said that approximately 12 students applied for the scholarship in 2022. Criteria to be eligible includes a students' volunteerism in the community.

Winners at the local level advance to the Archdiocese of New Orleans competition then head to the state level to compete for more money.

Knights of Columbus Council 9623 has been giving out colleges since 1987, Abbate said