A devoted parent and servant, St. Monica embodies the qualities many parents strive to emulate. Michelle Mendez was a St. Monica parent who truly possessed the spirit of a servant leader in her personal, professional, and community relationships. She was an invaluable asset to many organizations, and the St. Monica community was one of the lucky recipients of her devoted volunteerism.
Inspired by her dedication to service, The Michelle A. Mendez Lifetime Service Award was created in an effort to recognize a current 8
th grade parent who shares her passion for serving others.
This year’s recipient truly epitomizes the unconditional devotion and humility of a servant leader. Her graceful spirit and unwavering faith introduce Christ to all those around her. She possesses a tireless commitment to serving our community, infusing our school and church with her pure heart.
Her undeniable loyalty to our ministries at St. Monica is evident. A dedicated leader for the Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas, she has organized the Community Garage Sale, and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Bingo. She has coordinated numerous community service projects, serving Austin Street Center, Santa Clara Catholic Community, St. Philip & St. Augustine Catholic Academy, St. Vincent de Paul, The Brady Center, Wesley Rankin Center and Wipe Out Graffiti. However, her most notable contribution for the past twelve years lies in her unrelenting example to “love God, serve others, and live nobly.”
She has dedicated countless hours to the continued growth of our Parent Teacher Organization. Her servant’s heart led her to not only serve on the Board as President, President-Elect, and Advisor, but for the past eight years, she has championed the Christmas Purse, ensuring our teachers, staff, and administration are properly acknowledged in appreciation for their faithful commitment to our students. In addition, she has supported numerous committees, but perhaps closest to her heart lies her passion for Autumnfest. For the past fifteen years, she has chaired a myriad of positions from T-Shirts and Tickets, to Raffle and Underwriting. While these contributions have proven valuable, most treasured is the inspiration she has infused upon volunteers, mentoring them to work toward a common goal, for the betterment of community.
In an effort to foster a partnership between the PTO and SMS Dads’ Club, she has served as Dads’ Club Gala Volunteer Coordinator for the past eight years. Her commitment is not limited to recruiting volunteers and attending planning meetings, but she is often the first to arrive at event set-up, and always the last to leave after tear-down. For the past sixteen years, she has supported the Tuition GAP Campaign, serving as Grade Captain, Family Chair, and Spokesperson, sustaining the very school she herself attended. She was elected Vice President and President of the School Advisory Council, implementing policies to ensure quality conditions for our teachers and students. Furthermore, she continues to serve on the St. Monica Endowment Trust Committee, providing support for generations to come.
Her altruistic spirit continues beyond the St. Monica Community. She has served countless organizations at both Jesuit and Ursuline, including the Jesuit Athletics Booster Club, The Ranger Connection, and the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary. She has served as Ursuline Academy Mother’s Club Board Vice President of Traditions and Programs, coordinating Freshman Convocation, Sophomore Serviam, Junior Ring Ceremony, Mother-Daughter Mass and Brunch and the UA Service Project.
She has donated innumerable hours to philanthropies throughout the Metroplex, including Helping Hands Ministry, Treemont Nursing & Rehab Center, Parsons House, Buckner International, Trusted World, American Cancer Society, American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, March of Dimes, North Texas Food Bank, Parkinson’s Voice Project, American Heart Association, Feed My Starving Children, Catholic Charities, The Victory Train, and Friends of St. Philip’s School & Community Center, just to name a few.
Hence, it is no surprise she was previously awarded the Dallas Bar Association Pro-Bono Award, not only once, but twice for her legal service to those who would otherwise have no legal representation. She is a woman of faith who works tirelessly for her children and her community. She is an amazing, priceless gift to the St. Monica Community, past, present, and future.
For the past 18 years, she has embraced the heart of Saint Monica herself, displaying patience, generosity, and grace. She has served more than one lifetime of volunteerism, and without a doubt, Michelle is smiling down on her from Heaven.
Congratulations to the SIXTH recipient of The Michelle A. Mendez Lifetime Service Award, for her 18 Years of Service: