The Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA) was honored to recognize Rachel Starko, a student at St. Joseph’s College, Edmonton and Vanessa Havery, a student and pre-service teacher at St. Mary’s University, as the recipients of the 2025 Justice Kevin Feehan Award during our Annual General Meeting and Convention. This prestigious award celebrates students who exemplify faith, service, and leadership while promoting and living out the principles of Catholic education in Alberta.
The Justice Kevin Feehan Award is presented annually to two full-time students—one from St. Joseph’s College in Edmonton and one from St. Mary’s University in Calgary—who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to Catholic education. Named in honor of Justice Kevin P. Feehan, a passionate advocate for faith-based learning and a long-time supporter of ACSTA, this $1,500 award reflects his enduring legacy of championing Catholic education and its role in shaping compassionate, faith-filled leaders.
[Kelly Whalen, President, ACSTA, and Rachel Starko, award recipient and student at St. Joseph's College, University of Alberta]
Recipients are selected based on strong academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Preference is given to students enrolled in or who have completed the St. Joseph’s College Certificate in Catholic Education, a program designed to foster a deep understanding of the principles and values of Catholic education.
Respectively, Rachel and Vanessa received their awards in Spring and Summer of 2025, and they were formally honored by ACSTA President Kelly Whalen, who presented them with their awards at the gala portion of our 2025 AGM, on behalf of Justice Kevin P. Feehan.
Rachel reflected on her journey in Catholic education, sharing that
"As a future teacher passionate about Catholic education, I am grateful for the formation I have received at St. Joseph’s College. My experiences have strengthened my faith and prepared me to support the faith development of my students. Being a Catholic leader in the student community has helped me gain skills to witness my faith daily and foster a strong sense of community in my classroom."
[Kelly Whalen, President, ACSTA, and Vanessa Havery, award recipient and student at St. Mary's University, Calgary]
Vanessa also shared her gratitude for being a recipient of the Justice Feehan award and why she is committed to being a Catholic educator:
"Catholic education, to me, means teaching faith, care, and connection throughout our community with intention and purpose. It is about creating spaces where faith and learning come together to form not only knowledgeable students, but deep-rooted, compassionate, and caring people… Receiving the Justice Kevin Feehan Award is an extraordinary blessing, one that fills my heart with gratitude and humility. It reminds me that this is my calling. . . ."
Their achievements highlight the transformative power of Catholic education to foster students who love Christ and who will be the next generation of compassionate and faithful leaders within the Church.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Rachel and Vanessa on this well-deserved honor and offer prayers for their continued success. May God bless them and all who champion Catholic education as we work together to ensure that our students are given every opportunity to grow in their relationship with Christ and receive an excellent education that equips them for whatever God asks them to do.
