The 2023 St. Cecilia Girl, the highest honor St. Cecilia Academy confers on a senior by a vote of their junior and senior peers, is Olivia DeMarco, Grassland Middle School, Class of 2019. The St. Cecilia Girl also receives the Lisa Elcan Bruner Memorial Scholarship. Lisa Elcan graduated from St. Cecilia in 1973 when she was named St. Cecilia Girl. Lisa died in 1993, and her family began a scholarship fund in her honor because of Lisa's love and dedication to St. Cecilia. Lisa's sister, Mary Elcan May '79, presented the award to Olivia. Olivia radiates what Galatians chapter five describes as the "fruit of the Spirit": love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. During her four years at St. Cecilia, she has become a young woman admired by her peers and teachers.
Olivia has proven to be an outstanding leader in our community—not by being the biggest voice but by her natural ability to befriend anyone and her sincere commitment to serving others. Moreover, she is full of surprises. Despite her generally quiet demeanor, she has led the rosary, sang in the chorus, read and cantered at Mass, welcomed guests as an Ambassador, and cheered on her teammates. She is passionate about the performing arts and has led the Theatre Guild, serving as Parliamentarian for two years and Committee Chair. This year Olivia brought that passion to the stage, including her recent performances as Beth in Little Women and Mrs. Whatsit in A Wrinkle in Time. Her contagious enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to our school community have inspired those around her. She sees the best in everyone, and for this reason, she is loved by all. Olivia was elected this year's Spirit Week Queen and was voted Most Friendly by her senior class. This fall, our SCA Girl will attend the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, majoring in elementary education with a minor in Spanish.