Jada Davis was named the recipient of the 2018 Seton Scholarship from the National Catholic Educational Association . The junior at Cardinal Ritter Prep High School was presented the scholarship in October in honor of Kevin Short, who who received the NCEA’s 2018 Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. As a Seton Scholar, Jada serves as a model of the impact of Catholic education for her peers and community.

“I was really surprised because I didn’t know what I had done to deserve this,” Jada said. “But it’s a true honor to be part of something like this, to represent as an ambassador for Catholic schools.”

How do you talk to others about the importance of Catholic education?

To influence people to lean toward Catholic schools and to understand the importance of Catholic education, I use any available platform to convey that message. Catholic schools not only teach general education, but they also teach faith development. Catholic schools are also really big on self-discipline, the value of serving others and community involvement.

What stands out about Cardinal Ritter Prep High School?

It’s a diverse school. It is another home for me. Our mission is academic excellence, faith development and leadership. Those are stressed and implemented throughout the curriculum. Cardinal Ritter is like no other school that I have experienced. We do everything together. It’s small enough that every student can have a connection with every teacher — that’s what I like about it.

What are you involved with at Ritter and what do you enjoy about those activities?

I’m in 4-H, a youth development organization. We do community work. We've collected items for the homeless; we’ve done a food and clothing drive. We also hosted a Halloween/Trunk or Treat party for children in the community.

I also manage the football, track and field and basketball teams, and I ran track and played volleyball. I’m also in Gospel Ensemble and Choraleers, both are school choirs. I’m also involved in the St. Louis ArtWorks Program. It teaches students job skills through apprenticeships in the arts and community collaborations.

How do you take your Catholic faith beyond the classroom?

I find God in my daily routine and pray to Him every day. I find God in the community service that I do. Ultimately, I try to show compassion to everyone I come in contact with, in an attempt to be more like Christ.

We also have family talks about the Bible and Jesus, especially with my father. He talks to us about how the Lord is with you and to always have trust in what He has for you. At the end of the day, Jesus is going to be beside you.

At a glance

Name: Jada Davis

Age: 16

Family: Mom, Gewndolyn Davis; dad, Marquis Davis; siblings, Sayla and Jordan Davis and Victoria Hershey

School: Junior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School; In grade school, she attended Central Catholic Academy and graduated from St. Louis the King School.

Favorite saint: St. Teresa of Calcutta, because of her charity work and how she cared for the poor.