CYO Scholarships in the Diocese of Oakland

Ashley Carreño Marroquin, a student from St. Elizabeth Catholic School and a member of Mary Help of Christians parish, Oakland, has been awarded the 2020 Marty Mart CYO Volleyball Scholarship. The award was presented during the Mass at the  Jim Negri CYO Volleyball tournament in January.

Ashley is an eighth grader, active at both her school, St. Elizabeth, Oakland, and in her parish, Mary Help of Christians, Oakland.  At school, in addition to playing CO volleyball and basketball, she is a member of the student council team and the student mediation team.  In her parish, she has been serving as an altar server for the past six years. She also participated as a dancer in the local Baile Folklorico group.

In her scholarship essay, Ashley wrote: “My experience playing in the CYO organization has been exhilarating.  …Volleyball has changed my life in many ways; at first I was too scared even to try out. I am thankful for having this opportunity to grow up as a volleyball player and having amazing coaches.”

(Pictured above with Ashley (l to r) are Scholarship Committee Members Mark LIma, Grace House, Ashley, Scholarship Committee Members Vicki Mart-Larsen Jim Soltau with Sue Mart)

The three 2020 scholardship awardees played a variety of CYO Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Sand Volleyball, Cross Country, Trac and Field. But most importantly they each wrote about how they expressed their faith through their CYO participation.  The award of the scholarship was delayed until October due to challenges from the pandemic.

Read the Article in the Catholic Voice.

Anthony Garcia, St. Joseph, Alameda (Cross Country and Basketball) wrote, “Over the years, I have felt that I have grown in my athletic abilities, sportsmanship, but most importantly in my faith.”  

Anthony is pictured with his family at an award celebration at a Hayward park in October. (


Sofia Gatchalian from St. Bede, Hayward (Volleyball and Basketball), emphasized that "Playing sports for most of my St. Bede’s years has taught me many life lessons that I will continue to apply in my everyday life as a student and as a follower of Christ."

Sofia is pictured with her family

Avery Pace from All Saints, Hayward (Basketball, Track, Boys' Sand Volleyball, Cross Country and Track), AVery wrote that "I will never forget that we always started each game with prayer, holding hands with coaches, the refs and players from the other team.  This helped me to understand that without God, we wouldn’t have any of this. "

Avery is pictured with his family