Veronica McCarthy’s favorite childhood memories all seem to revolve around community service, and the Red Bank Catholic High School senior has carried that spirit of serving others to all aspects of her life.

The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., has recognized McCarthy’s dedication to service by awarding her the 2013 “Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship.” Established in 2010, the university presents the four-year, full tuition scholarship to an entering freshman from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies the dedication to service exhibited by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. The scholarship honors Bishop O’Connell, who was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Trenton by Pope Benedict XVI in June, 2010, then became the 10th bishop of the diocese on Dec. 1, 2010.

McCarthy said that providing service to others is a family tradition. She and her parents spend every Thanksgiving volunteering in the food pantry in St. Paul Church, Ocean Grove. She also recalled that her “first real experience with service” was when she was in first grade. In the weeks following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, her parents set up an impromptu collection of supplies in their front yard and the youngster helped by asking members of her soccer team to donate supplies. The supplies were loaded into a truck and delivered to Ground Zero in New York.

McCarthy reflectively said she recognized the life lesson bestowed upon her: “I have been blessed with parents who taught me to always put others first.”

McCarthy continued her dedication to service during her four years in Red Bank Catholic High School. She helped with coordinating volunteer events for the school’s Life Club, which supports the agencies that serve the poor, sick and elderly and works with the RBC Making Wishes Come True Club, a supporter of the NJ Chapter of the Make a Wish Foundation. In addition to working part-time, she volunteered as a religious education catechist for her parish, St. Thomas More, Manalapan, as a softball coach for her town’s recreational league and on the Committee of the Cole Lombardi Supplemental Benefits Trust, which raised more than $30,000 to help a family with excess medical bills for their seriously ill son.

McCarthy said she looks forward to studying international relations and political science in The Catholic University of America, while continuing to do community service there as well after graduation.

“I have been doing community service ever since I can remember,” said McCarthy. “I will always have it as a part of my life.”