Zoe Ceballos
Chapter 844js St. Rose of Lima School
Adviser Gretchen Schaar
Principal John Turskey
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego

Zoe Ceballos wrote her essay about the service activities she has done that led her to say, “Serving others is an experience like no other.” 

Spending time at Noah’s Homes with adults with disabilities “has taught me the value of patience and the beauty of small, meaningful interactions. I’ve learned that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.”

Zoe is a student and CJSF member at St. Rose of Lima School where, as a result of her experience with her severely autistic sister, she has led discussions about making school more inclusive of students with disabilities.

Arya Chaunkdar
Chapter 1074jc Tom Hawkins Elementary School
Adviser Nicole Craft
Principal Fiona Bessette
Jefferson School District

Arya Chaunkdar wrote her essay for the 2024-2025 DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest about volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, initially as a way to earn service hours for her CJSF chapter. “What started as a simple way to fulfill service hours quickly became something I look forward to every week.”

Tutoring kids and helping with homework led to helping a boy with reading. “I’ll never forget when he proudly read a page on his own. It wasn’t just a victory in reading—it was a victory in belief, both for him and for me.”

Arya is a student and CJSF member at Tom Hawkins Elementary School. Her participation in service to the Boys and Girls Club has changed and enriched her life.

Ayesha Sood
Chapter 1137  Gale Ranch Middle School
Adviser Gail Trenerry
Principal Jenny Torres
San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Ayesha Sood’s essay submission for the 2024-2025 DiGiovanna Memorial Award Essay Contest begins “Community service has been a huge part of me for as long as I can remember.”

Growing up in the Sikh community Ayesha was taught the concept of selfless service called Sewa in her community. Lifelong service to others brought her to CJSF and its emphasis on community service. “For me, CJSF is not just an extracurricular activity or something to put on my college application. It’s a way to put my values into action.”

Ayesha is a student and CJSF member at Gale Ranch Middle School where she participates in community service projects including passing out blankets to homeless people in San Francisco.