Victor Vannatter (far left), a 2025 SLIM award winner; Fr. Gary Clark, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Paducah; and Samantha Potter, a 2025 SLIM award winner, smile for a photo after the teens received their plaques. COURTESY OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
Teen servant leaders honored in parishes
BY WKC STAFF
This summer, the Office of Youth Ministry announced the recipients of the annual Servant Leaders in Ministry (SLIM) awards. After receiving nominations from parishes, the youth ministry office team selects up to 18 youth from around the diocese who have made outstanding contributions to their parishes, communities, and diocese overall.
This year’s 15 winners received an engraved plaque, and all nominated youth received a certificate of recognition. This year’s winners and certificate of recognition recipients are listed below.
Matthew King, a 2025 SLIM award winner, attends St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah and is seen here with pastor Fr. Mike Clark. COURTESY OF ST. THOMAS MORE
Award winners
- Neely Clark; parents Bryan and Robin Clark; St. Mary Parish, Franklin; nominated by Fr. Tom Buckman
- Collin Zellmer; parents Jason and Adrianna Zellmer; St. Leo Parish, Murray; nominated by Debbie D’Angelo
- Daniel Laurent; parents Kevin and Colette Laurent; St. Mark Parish, Princeton; nominated by Susan Brinkley
- Matthew King; parents Paul and Lynn King; St. Thomas More Parish, Paducah; nominated by Ann Morrow
- Samantha Potter; parents Christopher and Ashley Potter; St. Francis de Sales Parish, Paducah; nominated by Ben Teer
- Victor Vannatter; parents Mark and Janet Vannatter; St. Francis de Sales Parish, Paducah; nominated by Ben Teer
- Jackelyn Arroyo-Patena; parents Moises Arroyo and Veronica Patena; Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Henderson; nominated by Beth Probus
- Benjamin Goldsberry; parents Ronald and Katie Goldsberry; Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Henderson; nominated by Beth Probus
- Hadan Horbovetz; parents Adam and Tammie Horbovetz; St. John the Evangelist Parish, Paducah; nominated by Lorie Brown
- Calvin Padgett; parents Patrick and Suzanne Padgett; St. Stephen Cathedral, Owensboro; nominated by Karina Romero
- Cendal Brown; parents Josh and Cesiley Bartley and Cody Brown; St. Stephen Cathedral, Owensboro; nominated by Karina Romero
- Abby Fish; parent Rebecca Haynes; St. Pius X Parish, Owensboro; nominated by Matt Knight
- Ethan Wimsatt; parents Brad and Alissa Wimsatt; Precious Blood Parish, Owensboro; nominated by Haley Dickens
- Connor Drury; parents Callie and Jeremy Drury; St. Jerome Parish, Fancy Farm; nominated by Peyton Carrico
- Josie Redden; parents Thad and Emily Redden; St. Jerome Parish, Fancy Farm; nominated by Peyton Carrico
Hadan Horbovetz, a 2025 SLIM award winner, is seen second-from-left with his parents Adam and Tammie Horbovetz and brother Alex, as well as parish youth leader Lorie Brown (far left). COURTESY OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Certificate recipients
- Ella Ramsey; parent Charity Ramsey; St. Jerome Parish, Fancy Farm; nominated by Peyton Carrico
- Wyatt Mcleary; parents Chris and Shannon Mcleary; St. Jerome Parish, Fancy Farm; nominated by Peyton Carrico
- Tori Thomasson; parents Eric and Mandy Thomasson; St. Jerome Parish, Fancy Farm; Peyton Carrico
Daniel Laurent, a 2025 SLIM award winner, attends St. Mark Parish in Eddyville. COURTESY OF ST. MARK
Originally printed in the August 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
