Johnnies receive service award

The St. John’s annual Extraordinary Service Award recipients were announced on March 20. The four SJU students, Tom Hobday ’24, Fredi Ponce Parra ’24, Wes Kirchner ’24 and Evan Mattson ’24, were selected from seven students who were nominated by students, faculty and staff in February.

The award has a long history at St. Ben’s and St. John’s, dating back to 1995 and has evolved over the years. It was initially known as the Caritas Award and given to CSB+SJU alumnae who demonstrated a commitment to service in their community. In 2000, students became eligible for the award. The award, now known as the Extraordinary Service Award, is available only to SJU students. There is no comparable award for CSB students.

The award still holds its roots in caritas, which means “a Christlike love for others,” and caritas is especially displayed towards communities in need. Johnnies who receive the award show a commitment to these communities during their time at St. John’s while engaging with the Benedictine Values and principles of Catholic social teaching.

All of this year’s award recipients come from a background of community and service that blossomed during their time at CSB+SJU. Through Boy Scouts, sports coaching, church volunteering, community cleanups and more, service is foundational to the lives of these young men.

Kirchner joined both SJUfaith as part of the service & immersion team and Senate his first year, in addition to being part of the Bonner Leader program. During his time in these roles, he has helped organize spring break service trips, Prayer and Work and a student night at a Minnesota Wild game, as well as engaged in advocacy with the Minnesota Legislature. Throughout his years of service, Kirchner has learned a lifelong lesson.

“Nothing has to be perfect. Things can get messy, we can disagree, we can face challenges beyond our control, and that’s OK. It’s OK and often beneficial because it reminds me that God is present and walking with me every step of the way,” Kirchner said via email.

Mattson has also found his place in service through SJUfaith and Senate. Mattson experienced the value of community and positive role models following the death of his father by suicide in 2009 and has felt compelled to give back since then. Throughout his time at SJU, Mattson has been involved in El Paso Broder service and immersion, Bahamas service and immersion, Prayer and Work and various projects with Senate. His work with these groups, such as a trip to El Paso where he had the opportunity to listen to stories from migrants, has also impacted how he thinks about service.

“We are all quite ignorant to many of the major political issues in the United States and the world,” Mattson said via email. “To be genuine in our understanding of the issues, it takes service with listening and reflection. Being able to actively listen to others and reflect on their experience as a whole is an important lesson I have taken away from my time in service at CSB+SJU.”

Ponce Parra became involved with SJUfaith during his sophomore year. During his time at SJU, he has also been involved in climate activism and public policy.

“I realized that service was going to be an important part of my work, faith and life,” he said via email.

He, too, notes the inattention to important issues such as immigration, homelessness and hunger.

“As a Catholic, it is disheartening how many people of faith do not care about the suffering of others and instead want to build a wall, demonize unhoused people, and only care about single issues like abortion,” Ponce Parra said.

Hobday has spent most of his life engaged in service, volunteering with his parents as a child and attending a high school that required 300 service hours to graduate. In addition to being part of the Bonner Leader program, Hobday has been involved in J-Walking, climate justice initiatives, and service during his semester abroad in South Africa. He volunteered at Missionvale Community Garden in Gqeberha, discussing God, opportunity, drug use, sports, traditions and family dynamics. The food from the garden was donated to the local food shelf.

“A lesson I got from that was just how grounding and unifying a garden can be, where you can connect across difference and have intentional conversations,” Hobday said via email.

Though all the recipients are honored to have received the award, they emphasize the instrumental role of others in successful service, including one another. Furthermore, they hope to see others continue to fulfill service opportunities on campus just as each of them will engage in service after they graduate in May. Mattson, Kirchner and Ponce Parra will serve abroad with the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, while Hobday is entering the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.