Joseph Woore

Joseph Woore from Tustin, California has been awarded the $2,000 Bill and Kay Davies Scholarship. Woore belongs to St. Thomas More Catholic Church in the Diocese of Orange and is a member of Scouting America Troop 33 in the Orange County Council.

Woore truly embodies the idea of servant leadership. When asked why volunteering is important to him, he responded, “In the Gospel of Luke, we are reminded that ‘to whom much is given, much will be required.’ I have been given faith, an amazing family, an education and the foundation of Scouting……Volunteering is how I respond to what I have received.”

In service to the Catholic Church, Woore volunteered at St. Thomas More Catholic Church as an altar server, usher and Vacation Bible School teacher, contributing more than 350 hours of service. He also attended the Life Teen Leadership Conference, a week-long Catholic formation experience held at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Woore earned two Catholic Religious Emblems offered by Catholic Scouting America, completing Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei.

Woore served his community by contributing many hours to a variety of organizations. His efforts included environmental conservation with Scouting America, community cleanups with Orange County Coastkeeper, food distribution at Second Harvest Food Bank and disaster-relief volunteering through Mater Dei High School. Woore also served as a youth coach at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center.

At Mater Dei High School, Woore demonstrated extensive leadership across multiple programs. He served as an officer for the Associated Student Body, the Choral and Vocal Music Program, Mater Dei High School Television Club, Model United Nations and campus ministry. He also served as vice president of the Entrepreneurship Club and is a member of the National Honor Society. Woore competed on the varsity track and field team for two years.

In Scouting, Woore held numerous leadership positions in his troop, including senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and troop chaplain aide. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow (OA), Scouting America’s honor society. For his Eagle Scout Project, Woore led a team of volunteers in constructing a memorial garden honoring Josef D’Heygers, a longtime custodian at Mater Dei High School. The team cleared a neglected site, built a reinforced concrete platform, installed a stone bench
and plaque, planted flowers and grass and rebuilt the irrigation system, creating a lasting tribute to Mr. D’Heygers, who served the school from 1956 until his passing in April 2010.

This year, Catholic Scouting America awarded fifteen service scholarships totaling $40,000 to recognize Scouts nationwide for outstanding service and leadership in four areas: the Catholic Church, their community, school and Scouting. Since 2005, Catholic Scouting America (NCCS) has awarded a total of $348,000 in scholarships to 146 Scouts nationwide.