By Br. Al Vu, SDB
(Rosemead, California) – On March 18, 2025, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles celebrated the powerful role of young people in shaping a better world at the annual Archdiocesan Catholic High School Christian Service Awards Mass and Ceremony. This event highlighted over seventy young individuals who are not only responding to the Gospel but are also actively building a civilization of love. Among the honorees were four exceptional students from our Salesian Network of Schools: Luis Antonio Camacho from Don Bosco Technical Institute-Rosemead, Alexander Ramirez from Bishop Mora Salesian High School-Los Angeles, Andrew Rios from St. John Bosco High School-Bellflower, and Diego Salcedo from St. John Bosco High School-Bellflower.
Mr. Paul Escala, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese and an alumnus of St. John Bosco High School, praised these young leaders for their unwavering commitment to charity, love, and service. In his message, he reminded them that they are “the hands and feet of Christ in our broken world,” offering compassion, healing, and hope to those who need it most. The archbishop echoed this call, encouraging these young people to continue their journey of transformation, particularly through service to the poor and marginalized. In his homily, he also invited them to continue to answer their vocation as missionary disciples—spreading the love of Christ, sharing the Gospel, and transforming the world through their example of compassion and service in action.
The four young people from our Salesian Network of Schools are not just recipients of recognition—they are protagonists of transformation in their communities and the world. Through their service, faith, and leadership, they are creating a legacy grounded in the Gospel, guided by the spirit of love and compassion. From helping at orphanages to leading summer camps, organizing youth center activities, tutoring, and serving as catechists in their parishes, each student has answered the call to be agents of change, reflecting the mission of Don Bosco. They are living proof that the Gospel is not just a message to be heard, but a life to be lived, a life marked by radical love, service, and care for others.
Their involvement extends beyond local communities. These students have shown remarkable dedication to the Salesian Youth Leadership Conference (SYLC), with Diego serving on the youth animation team last year and Alex joining the team this year. Their continued commitment to their faith and service is an example of the power young people hold as agents of the Gospel. As they live out the values of service, leadership, and love for others, they remind us all that they are not just the future—they are the present, already building a civilization of love based on the transformative message of the Gospel.