Kateri Wielgos conceded that she was tired on Friday, but the Badin High School senior perked up in a hurry when she walked into the school’s St. Basil’s Chapel at 2 o’clock.

There to greet her were her parents and two representatives of Marian University in Indianapolis – on hand to award her the prestigious San Damiano faith leadership scholarship.

“I’ve been tired all day,” Wielgos said, “but this just made my day so much better!”

Elizabeth Ortlepp, the Marian recruiter for the San Damiano scholarship, and Jen Waning, Marian’s area recruiting coordinator, were at Badin to present the scholarship. The award is worth a minimum of $8,500 per year. Marian also pays for a semester abroad in a country that will enhance a student’s major.

Wielgos is the daughter of Mary Ella and Matt Wielgos of Fairfield and a graduate of St. Gabriel Consolidated School. She is the fourth Badin student to be offered admission into Marian’s San Damiano Scholars Program in the past five years.

“We love the opportunity to do this surprise presentation,” said Brion Treadway, Wielgos’s guidance counselor at Badin. “It’s a great scholarship to an excellent Catholic college, and Kateri is a very deserving recipient.”

Wielgos has been a top music student at Badin and inspired by faith throughout her career at BHS, recently helping to form a student group called Action Through Joy at the school. Appropriately enough, she plans to double major in music and theology.

Wielgos said she has truly enjoyed her Badin experience. Asked why, she said, “The community at Badin – the community is just awesome. And the music program. That’s been an awesome program as well.”

Of the San Damiano Scholarship, Wielgos said, “I’m very excited and very, very happy about it. Marian University is my top choice so far.”