Local Catholic Schools Shine at Silver Knight Awards, Celebrating Young Heroes

Southwest Ranches, USA - The recent celebration at the James L. Knight Center in Miami was nothing short of inspiring as high school seniors from the Archdiocese of Miami showcased their exceptional talents and commitment to community service at the 67th annual Silver Knight Awards. Graduating seniors from various Catholic high schools earned a remarkable seven Silver Knight awards and 14 honorable mentions during this prestigious event held on May 14, 2025. With a legacy spanning back to 1959, the Silver Knight Awards have become a hallmark of academic excellence and community contribution in South Florida.

This year’s winners tackled an array of issues through their projects, ranging from combating hunger to supporting the homeless, reflecting a deep commitment to the community. St. Thomas Aquinas High School stood out, leading the pack with three Silver Knight winners and five honorable mentions. Close behind were Christopher Columbus High School, also with three winners and two honorable mentions, and Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, which had one winner. Other schools recognized included Archbishop Edward McCarthy, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Cardinal Gibbons High School, and Immaculata-La Salle High School, showcasing the impressive breadth of talent across different institutions.

Outstanding Achievements

The winners of the Silver Knight Awards each demonstrated exceptional leadership and creativity:

• Athletics: Arianna Allen from St. Thomas Aquinas – Founded ServPort, a nonprofit serving hot meals to the homeless.
• Business: Isabella Duarte-Crespo from Carrollton – Created Hidden Innovations in Disguise, a business for young people with disabilities.
• Digital & Interactive Media: Jason Fernandez from Columbus – Produced a documentary supporting childhood cancer families.
• Drama: Alexander Naranjo-Sanchez from Columbus – Founded ICANUCAN, empowering children with special needs through theater.
• Music & Dance: Sophia Oganezov from St. Thomas Aquinas – Founded the Strings Ensemble and Music of Tomorrow nonprofit.
• Science: Laura Aluka from St. Thomas Aquinas – Launched Togo Together to educate on water filtration in Togo.
• Speech: Sven Stumbauer from Columbus – Created Project Terra Firma to combat geographic illiteracy among underserved children.

Each award winner receives a $2,000 scholarship, along with a medallion, a Silver Knight statue, and 25,000 AAdvantage miles from American Airlines, while honorable mentions are awarded $500 scholarships and engraved plaques.

A Tradition of Service

The Silver Knight Awards symbolize a tradition of outstanding service and dedication among youth in our community. In 2024, Belen Jesuit celebrated its own success at the 66th annual event, with Armando González winning in the Vocational Technical category and Nicholas León receiving an Honorable Mention in Social Science. González founded „Save our Soles,“ providing invaluable foot care and footwear to the homeless, rallying local businesses and securing significant grants to sustain his initiative. Meanwhile, León has made strides in environmental conservation, leading the South Florida Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and gathering volunteers to protect wetlands, proving that young people, when motivated, can bring transformative change.

With a total of 935 students nominated from 90 schools in Miami-Dade, 33 in Broward, and 3 in Monroe, the competition was fierce. Out of these, 30 winners emerged, half from Miami-Dade and half from Broward, along with a commendable 90 honorable mentions. The awards celebrate talent across 15 distinct categories, highlighting the multifaceted capabilities of today’s youth.

Whether through engaging in community service, environmental activism, or supporting those in need, these young leaders are not merely dreaming—they are doing. Let’s continue to support and celebrate them as they pave the way for a brighter future in our community.

For more details on the ceremony and the winners, visit MiamiArch.org and BelenJesuit.org.