TOLEDO—A $2,000 scholarship provided by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo Employee Benefit Fund was awarded in May to Rick V. Rattay, a graduating senior at Toledo St. John’s Jesuit High School.  

The F. Edward Schaefer Scholarship Award is given to a son or daughter of a participant in the Retirement Plan for Lay Employees in the Catholic Diocese of Toledo and is awarded with emphasis on service to church and community as well as leadership.

Bishop Leonard P. Blair presents a scholarship to Rick Rattay, a graduate of Toledo St. John’s Jesuit High School. (Chronicle photo by Angela Kessler)

Competition for this scholarship includes the entire 19-county area of the diocese. Mr. Schaefer, in whose memory the scholarship was founded, served on the retirement board for many years.

Rick is the son of Eileen and Rick Byrne. Mrs. Byrne is employed by Toledo St. Joan of Arc.

Rick has a 4.04 GPA and has received First Honors and Class Honors through all four years. He was captain of the football team and track team, and received the CYO Outstanding High School Athlete Award. He was named the Archie Griffin Athlete of the Week and First Team All-City, All-District, and All-Ohio for his efforts as a defensive back in football.

His service includes a 12-day mission to Guatemala in June 2007 as well as mentoring and tutoring underclassmen. According to Tim Malone, principal at St. John’s Jesuit, “He is all about helping others and that is what we strive for here at SJJ. Rick leads by example in the area of service just as he does in the classroom and on the football field.”

Rick plans to attend Georgetown University.