Kelly Laing Struder, a junior at Notre Dame Academy from Hamilton, Virginia, was honored by the school community on May 11 with the distinguished St. Julie Billiart Award for Service, the school's highest award, at Notre Dame Academy's annual service awards program. Julie Billiart, who later became a saint, was the founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Each year this award is presented to the student who best exemplifies the dedication to service that St. Julie lived out during her lifetime. This student honoree must have completed more than 100 hours of community service and maintained an acceptable grade point average throughout the school year. The awardee is a person of exemplary character and service, modeling St. Julie in their willingness to show others the goodness of God through word and deed.

"With her dedication and exuberance to the school and community, Kelly embodies the ideals of service. Kelly's dedication to the community and love of service makes her a true friend of St. Julie. Her desire to serve is evident from the wide variety of service in which she participated. She is a presence here at Notre Dame Academy participating in every open house and auction, and Lunch Bunch since her freshman. She has given her time at Liturgies and each presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and has helped out at the college fairs. She has worked tirelessly in student government assisting and planning each student government event including St. Jude's, prom committee, and Spirit Week. She is willing to serve at Notre Dame Academy where she has spent hours as a representative of our school. She exemplifies the ideal of serving God by serving others. Congratulations, Kelly," said Frank Roque, chair of Notre Dame Academy's Theology Department.