2020 National Catholic Educational Association Award Winner - Sophie Diaz: Model of Virtues, Valor and Vision

 

Just one year ago, St. Mel student Sophie Diaz thought it was impossible. As she solemnly scanned the National Catholic Educational Association’s website full of accomplished elementary and high school students, she shrugged off their coveted Youth Virtues, Valor and Vision Award as a long shot beyond her reach.

Now here we are, with 8 th grader Sophie’s name on the exclusive list of this year’s award recipients. Out of hundreds of eligible 5 th through 12 th graders from across the country, Sophie was selected for the honor for not only her outstanding academic achievements, community service and devout faith, but also her environmentally-conscious approach to life that is having a tangible impact on her school, her community, and the world around her.

It all started with that signature Sophie humility that exudes wherever she goes.

After watching a life-changing documentary on the state of health and the damaging, long-term effects of the daily decisions humans make, Sophie’s approach to life as she knew it changed. It started at home where she decided to begin eating entirely vegan, a decision that initially prompted many sideways looks and regular dinnertime confusion amongst her large family. She also began brushing her teeth with homemade tooth paste, a concoction of baking soda and coconut oil she mixes herself to eliminate the use of harmful products. Her efforts extended to school, where she began to carry around metal forks and spoons, metal straws, and reusable water bottles to cut down on waste. She also changed the way she consumed products – urging her parents to buy in bulk and eliminate single-use items – and the way she disposed of them. Instead of sending scraps into the trash as she had most of her life, she started composting her own waste so that it could be reused.

What started for Sophie as a personal decision, proactively turned into something bigger than herself – a critical step that most people are content to forego. She shyly approached her peers on the St. Mel’s student council, a leadership committee she has served on for the past two years, with an idea for a compost bin to be utilized school wide. The bin, she explained, would cut down on waste and provide nutrients for other areas of campus. Modestly assuming the idea would be dismissed as dumb or unnecessary, Sophie was surprised to hear instant and complete support for her plan. Almost immediately following her presentation, the school purchased a large grey bin, an orange bucket and a bright yellow shovel, which Sophie uses daily to collect scraps from her schoolmates after lunch to discard in the bin. She then rolls up her small but mighty sleeves and rotates the soil regularly to ensure its potency, knowing the final bi-product will provide nutrient-rich fertilizer for the roses near the school’s church. She smiles proudly as she excitedly shares there are worms living in the compost, meaning it is indeed, viable soil for its next life cycle.

Sophie’s informed and impassioned actions have also impacted the way her family and friends view the world around them as well. Now, instead of reaching for a bag of chips, her friends proudly eat more fresh fruit and often ask her for her reusable bag when they do have discardable items – something Sophie takes home with her to dispose of more efficiently. And at home, Sophie’s inspiration has shifted the mindsets of her grandparents, parents and three siblings who have completely embraced her efforts and accepted her lifestyle not as a restriction, but as an opportunity to learn more and be part of the positive change she is leading.

To Sophie, her conscious effort to help make the environment better seems mundane. Almost too small to matter. But it’s her conviction and her commitment to action that sets her apart. As those that know her best say, Sophie always shows up. And she does . And she does all with humility and grace and her God-given abilities.

In addition to her environmental activism, Sophie is also an honor roll student, a regular community servant, a member of the St. Mel Academic Decathlon team, an accomplished gymnast, and a respected leader. Above all, she is a daughter, a sister, and a young woman of faith. Sophie has visions of changing the world, including altering the country’s policies on carbon emissions. And she will. As she confidently explains, “We have all the science. What we need more than facts is action .”

Her quiet confidence and humble demeanor may be interpreted by some as shy, but her ability to lead and inspire action has given her a platform that extends beyond her peers. And at thirteen years old, she is just getting started.

For all these reasons and so much more, the NCEA has honored St. Mel’s own Sophie Diaz as one of the nation’s recipients of the 2020 Youth Virtues, Valor and Vision Award.

Just one year later, Sophie was recently shown the current NCEA website. As she scanned this year’s list of accomplished winners, she quietly and humbly smiled as she located her name and photo among them. It wasn’t such a longshot, after all, for this once-in-a-generation student, activist, and child of God.