Prince of Peace Catholic Church parishioner and 2022 Prince of Peace Catholic School graduate Gracie Taylor received the 2022 Patrick Francis Werszner memorial scholarship at the school’s eighth-grade graduation ceremony on May 20. This $1,000 scholarship to John Carroll Catholic High School is awarded to an eighth-grade student going to John Carroll and is renewable for $500 for three years as long as certain criteria are met. The church’s Knights established the scholarship seven years ago to honor Patrick Frances Werszner who passed away at the age of 19. He was a 2010 graduate of Prince of Peace Catholic School and a 2014 graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School. At the time of his death, he was a student at UAB, a member of the POP Knights of Columbus, and a parishioner at St. Stephen the Martyr and Prince of Peace.

Pictured with Gracie (center) are Veronica and John Werszner, siblings of the scholarship’s namesake, Patrick. At Prince of Peace School, Taylor was an honor roll student, National Junior Honor Society member, and DUKE TIP award winner. She participated in John Carroll’s middle school sports programs including basketball, track and field, and cheer. Taylor, the daughter of Veronica Taylor, has been an altar server since the fourth grade.