ARLINGTON, Va. — A student at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and a retired priest who serves on the school’s board of trustees have both been honored by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
Frances Aguilar, an OLP junior, is one of 10 recipients of the NCEA’s 2025 Youth Virtues, Valor and Vision Award.
Msgr. Richard Duncanson, a retired priest of the Diocese of San Diego, is among six recipients of the NCEA’s 2025 President’s Awards.
Aguilar has completed more than 800 hours of community service while at OLP. Inspired by her older brother who has cerebral palsy, she has promoted inclusion, awareness and advocacy for people with disabilities through her Girl Scout Gold Award Project.
She founded a Best Buddies chapter at OLP, has demonstrated a passion for supporting others through the GIVE Club, and has been an altar server at St. Michael’s Parish in Poway and at OLP. Over the summer, she volunteers as a teacher’s aide for special education students.
“Frances truly embodies unifying love for the dear neighbor without distinction, and her beautiful cooperation with God’s love for all of humanity touches and inspires OLP students, faculty and staff alike,” said Ryan Martin-Spencer, OLP’s director of mission integration.
Youth Virtues, Valor and Vision Award winners each received a Chromebook and protective cover.
The NCEA President’s Awards are five awards honoring past NCEA presidents and conferred in the names of individuals and organizations that display the significant virtues of contribution, support, leadership and development to impact Catholic school education in the United States.
Msgr. Duncanson received the Msgr. John F. Meyers Award, which recognizes an individual who has significantly supported Catholic education through contributions in development, public relations, scholarship programs, financial management or government relations.
The monsignor said that he was “truly honored and taken totally by surprise to have been selected.”
Over the years, he has served on the Diocesan Commission for Catholic Schools, on the board of trustees of the University of San Diego, and on the boards of directors of Marian Catholic High School (now Mater Dei Catholic High School) and Cathedral Catholic High School. He was the first chairman of the board of Cathedral Catholic High School when it opened in 2005.
He has been serving on OLP’s board of trustees since 2020. It’s his second tour, having had a previous stint on the board from 2008 to 2015.
Martin-Spencer described Msgr. Duncanson as “a most worthy recipient of an NCEA President’s Award.” He noted the monsignor’s “vital role” in the complete renovation of OLP’s two main academic buildings and the creation of its new St. Thérèse Library and Performing Arts Center.
“His dedication to and impassioned support of Catholic education,” he said, “has guided and informed all of the recent renovation and new building projects undertaken on our campus, securing the establishment of infrastructure to serve young people for decades to come.”
As a pastor, from 1990 to 2019, Msgr. Duncanson also provided leadership at five Catholic elementary schools: St. Charles School, Imperial Beach; St. Rose of Lima School, Chula Vista; St. James Academy, Solana Beach; Nazareth School, San Diego, while he was pastor of the neighboring Mission San Diego de Alcala; and The Nativity School, Rancho Santa Fe.
“Because the Catholic Church has so generously provided me with my education,” he said, “I have always wanted others to benefit as I have from the rich Catholic educational tradition.”
For more information, visit NCEA.org/YVVV and NCEA.org/NCEA/NCEA/How_We_Serve/Awards/NCEA_President_s_Awards.aspx.
UPDATE: Frances Aguilar is an altar server at St. Michael’s Parish in Poway. An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that she served at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Scripps Ranch.
