YOUNGSTOWN — The office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will present the 2026 Eagle of the Cross Award to area teens.

The award, which is the highest honor the diocese bestows on youth, was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and introduced 28 years ago. It is given each year to a group of extraordinary high school juniors and seniors who model Catholic-Christian leadership among their peers, demonstrate a dedication to the faith and display moral integrity.

The annual award has been given to juniors and seniors in the Youngstown Diocese since 1999. Bishop David Bonnar will present the awards at a ceremony at 6 p.m. April 28 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica in Youngstown. A reception will follow in the social hall.

The award recipients include:

• Riley Cordell, St. Teresa of Calcutta, Warren

• Louis Cross, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica-St. Anthony of Padua, Youngstown

• Sophie Johnson, Queen of Heaven, McDonald

• Jordyn Miller, St. Mary Magdalene, Youngstown

• Andrew Didymus Puhalla, St. Catherine of Siena, Boardman

• Abigail Restaino, St. Teresa of Calcutta, Warren

• Madeleine Devlin, Ursuline High School and St. Columba Cathedral, Youngstown

• Pierce Jones, Cardinal Mooney High School and St. Columba Cathedral, Youngstown

• Luke Lantz, Ursuline High School and St. Columba Cathedral, Youngstown

• Nelson Lopez, Cardinal Mooney High School and St. Dominic, Youngstown