This January, Eliana Lang and Joe Wittig were recognized as the community awards for students – along with Social Studies teacher Mr. Waltz. These school awards are granted to seniors at Saint Joe who demonstrate kindness, positivity, and are involved in the school’s community. Teachers are asked to vote or recommend specific students who they feel fit this description and are friendly to all students at Saint Joe. 

Eliana Lang plays soccer and basketball, and is involved in Peer Ministry, NHS, and is a Eucharistic Minister during all school mass. Lang is known to talk and joke with her fellow classmates and teachers, always brightening their lives and leaving them with a smile on their face. She actively leads her basketball team, as the captain, and shows great sportsmanship and leadership throughout her games. She was also a captain on the soccer quad. Lastly, Lang was recently baptized at Saint Joseph High School during her junior year last spring. 

Her coach and teacher Mr. DePauw has this to say about her, “Eliana is an amazing young lady. She has an upbeat aura that is infectious. Ellie is a driven athlete who keeps her teammates focused, a fierce competitor when the whistle blows and the game starts. She has a relentless work rate and a big heart. Simply a joy to coach and teach.” 

Joe Wittig is on the football team and actively spreads positivity around the school. He is described as amiable, sincere, and generous, going out of his way to help are the classroom and connect with his classmates and teachers. Wittig is very interested in fishing and shares his future aspirations and knowledge of this topic. Finally, Wittig is a member of the golf team in which he leads and cares for the them, and is always willing to go out of his way to help the team.