News Post

Senior Hope Dickson was one of eight high schoolers honored by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) with a Youth Virtues, Valor, and Vision Award, recognizing her as an exceptional student who embodies "the heart and mission of our Catholic schools." 

According to the NCEA website, the students who were chosen "represent the core values of Catholic education, demonstrating exceptional faith, leadership, and dedication to serving others in ways that uplift their communities and inspire hope." Hope was chosen from "an inspiring array of submissions across the country." Ultimately, those chosen "have risen as exemplars of the virtues, courage, and foresight that distinguish the mission of Catholic education."

Hope said, "I feel honored to be recognized for my faith and service work. After reading the other recipients’ bios, I’m amazed and inspired by the other students’ commitment to their communities and demonstration of faith." All bios are listed here on the NCEA website.

Constantly displaying the Salesian Little Virtue of Thoughtful Concern for Others, Hope is very engaged in service opportunities both at school and beyond. “To me, service isn’t just a job you have to do or a log of hours you have to complete, but rather is an opportunity to both help others and pursue your passions,” she said. “Through my service, whether through the new Salesian Chatbot or as a STEM teacher with elementary and middle school girls, I’ve been able to combine my love of engineering and coding to share my passions with others.”

Principal Leonor Limarzi Ponzio ‘97 honored Hope at a school assembly on Monday, January 27 as Catholic Schools Week began across the country. She received a standing ovation from classmates and teachers.

Hope's bio on the NCEA site reads:

Hope Dickson is a senior at Georgetown Visitation where her Catholic faith drives her commitment to service and advocacy. As a former altar server and current lector at her parish, Blessed Sacrament, Hope loves serving her church community. Every summer, she participates in the Arlington Diocese Work Camp, where she deepens her faith while helping repair homes (including building a wheelchair ramp!).

An aspiring engineer, Hope enjoys hands-on service opportunities and spends much of her time volunteering as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teacher. From fostering young girls’ confidence to mentoring low-income students, Hope is passionate about breaking barriers in STEM. At school, Hope is the re-founder and president of the coding club where she recently created a Catholic AI ChatBot for her school’s Salesian Center. Additionally, Hope leads the pro-life club, Visi4Life, and has attended the March for Life in D.C. every year since middle school. Hope and her club members volunteer at women’s shelters, organize diaper drives, write letters to death row inmates, and lead prayer services to advocate for the lives of the most vulnerable. Hope’s unwavering commitment to faith, service, and advocacy inspires those around her, as she strives to make a lasting impact on her community and the world.