Carmelite Medal Winners

The Carmelite Medal identifies one male and one female student from the senior class who best exemplify the true meaning of a Salpointe Catholic education. These honored students consistently demonstrate the Carmelite charism of prayer, community and service.

The winners of the Carmelite Medal, Salpointe’s most prestigious award, are presented with individual medals and have their names engraved on a permanent plaque which is displayed on campus.

Our female winner is a young woman who has truly made the most of her Salpointe education. She has been involved in a wide variety of activities that demonstrate her creativity, leadership and concern for others. She is an amazing artist who has become an expert at using technology to create wonderful works of art. She is a quiet but powerful servant leader who inspires others to do their best. Even though a self-proclaimed introvert, she has stretched herself by being a STUCO and NHS officer and taking on speaking roles at school events. She does it all with perseverance, kindness and a commitment to always do her best. She consistently demonstrates the life skills of resilience and compassion for others and is recognized by her peers, teachers and counselors as someone who truly makes a difference. Our 2023 female Carmelite Medal winner is Sevilla Smith .

Our male winner exemplifies true servant leadership and a passion for making a difference. He has been a formidable presence not just within our school community but also in the larger city and state community. His desire to be a civil servant has led him to do extensive volunteer work in election campaigns, and he has been a part of the Tucson community dialogue about Laudato Si. He is an officer with the Governor’s Youth Commission which has focused on addressing mental health issues among young people. He has dedicated himself to our Campus Ministry program - most notably as a member of our liturgy committee and as a Kairos leader. It is clear that this young man lives the Carmelite values of prayer, community and service every day. Our 2023 male Carmelite Medal winner is Felipe Garcia

Class of 1953 celebrates their 70th Anniversary

Pat Taylor represented the Class of 1953 at graduation this year as we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first graduating class of Salpointe. The Class of 1953 is responsible for so many of Salpointe’s long standing traditions: they selected the Lancer mascot, the maroon and gold colors and the school banner. They named the yearbook “Horizons” and the newspaper “Crusader.” Pat was among many leaders in this class and she continues to lead today by serving on the Salpointe Board of Directors since 2005. She was inducted to the 2003 inaugural class of the Salpointe Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Named Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year, Pat is a former top level executive at Raytheon. Salpointe was delighted to honor Pat and the Class of 1953!