ROCIADA, New Mexico — The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) has awarded to Fiona Greaney from New York the $2,000 Brian and Kristine Girskis Family Scholarship.

Greaney belongs to the Church of the Epiphany in the Archdiocese of New York and is a member of Scouting America Troop 414 and Venturing Crew 587 in the Greater New York Council. This year, NCCS awarded 13 service scholarships totaling $36,000 to recognize Scouts nationwide for outstanding service and leadership in four areas: the Catholic Church, their community, school and Scouting.

Greaney truly embodies the idea of servant leadership. When asked why volunteering is important to her, she responded, “As a Catholic Scout, I seek to find the balance between contemplative and active life. Volunteering has been my way of practicing my faith in an active way.”

In service to the Catholic Church, Greaney has been an usher and altar server, earning Altar Server of the Year in 2021. She helped at church events as a food server and with clean up duties. She was an aide for Vacation Bible School and Religious Education. Greaney also helped with audio/visual support and was a retreat leader. She was active in her parish youth group, including serving as youth group leader for multiple years. Greaney was awarded the Order of Malta Certificate of Service in 2023 for her service to people with disabilities. She earned one of the Catholic Religious Emblems offered by NCCS.

Greaney served her community in many ways. She led the Servants of Salvation, a community service group she helped form with fellow young people at her parish. She also volunteered with the Epiphany Branch Library, Ascension Food Pantry and the Catholic Worker ministry to the homeless.

At St. Vincent Ferrer High School, Greaney was president of Student Council and Future Business Leaders. She held officer positions with the Drama/Theater Club as well as Campus Ministry. Greaney was a member of the National Honor Society, Chess Club and Debate Club. She was awarded the Platinum Service Award at St. Vincent Ferrer High School in 2023 and 2024.

In Scouting, Greaney held many leadership roles including senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader, Troop Outdoor Ethics Guide, troop chaplain aide, Venturing Crew vice president of Programs and Council Venturing Officers’ Association officer. She was a member of the Order of the Arrow (OA), Scouting America’s honor society and held the position of OA lodge chief. She also completed National Youth Leadership Training and was a leave no trace instructor. Greaney earned the National Outdoor, World Conservation, TRUST and Historic Trails Awards. She was awarded the rank of eagle in 2024 and earned 52 merit badges.

For her Eagle Project, Greaney led the construction of a greenhouse for the Church of the Epiphany, which allows the parish to include fresh produce in meals provided to the homeless. Greaney recognized how the greenhouse could bring together her parish’s longtime gardening and homeless ministries to serve those less fortunate.

Since 2005, NCCS has awarded a total of $308,000 in scholarships to 131 Scouts nationwide. More details about scholarship eligibility requirements and a listing of this year’s and past award recipients can be found at https://nccs-bsa.org/college-scholarships/.

NCCS is a Church committee of concerned Catholic laity and clergy, which is advisory to Scouting America and relates to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) through its Episcopal Liaison. For more information about NCCS, visit https://nccs-bsa.org/ and for more information about Catholic Scouting, visit https://catholicscouting.com/.