STA Honors Mother Evelyn O’Neill Awardees
March 27, 2025
At a ceremony held this morning in Goppert Gymnasium, the STA community honored the student and community recipients of the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award. This prestigious award recognizes excellence in leadership, community service or educational reform.
Out of six impressive student nominees, Maddie D., STA senior, was named the 2026 student recipient. She volunteers at Mimi’s Pantry 4 Kids, supporting families through creative programs and weekly food distribution. At STA, she leads cross country workouts, volunteers in the front office, and serves as president of the Full STEAM Ahead club. She also co-founded LIFT, a faith-centered club at STA, and served as a mentor at CSJ Leadership Camp, guiding younger students in faith and service.
This year’s community recipient of the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award is STA alumna Moira Mulhern, Ph.D. (’75). Mulhern is the founder and chief executive officer of Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing, a Kansas City-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families coping with serious or chronic illness. Holding a Ph.D. in community health psychology, Mulhern’s professional experience working with cancer and HIV/AIDS patients revealed a critical gap in complementary education and support services for those facing major health crises.
In 2001, she co-founded Turning Point to address that need, creating a welcoming community space focused on practical, skill-based programs that help individuals manage the physical and emotional challenges of illness. Through strong partnerships with medical professionals and a committed board and staff, Mulhern helped establish Turning Point as a trusted and respected resource in the region. The organization’s holistic approach empowers participants to reduce symptoms, strengthen coping skills, and navigate the illness process with greater confidence and support.
Top photo (l to r): Lydia A., Emma M., Victoria Z., Maddie D. (student recipient), Dr. Siabhan May-Washington, Elizabeth B., Drew K.
Bottom photo (l): Maddie D. and family; (r): community award recipient, Dr. Moira Mulhern (’75) and family
About Mother Evelyn O’Neill
In 1908, Mother Evelyn O’Neill, a member of the faculty, was appointed Superior of St. Teresa’s Academy, then located at 12th and Washington Streets in downtown Kansas City. Though Mother Evelyn and all associated with the old Academy loved it loyally, businesses were being built on all sides and many realized the need of a new site for the school. Mother Evelyn was determined to make the necessary change.
In securing permission for a new location and in arranging for the loan to finance the undertaking, Mother Evelyn displayed an unshakable faith in divine providence and the intercession of St. Joseph, as well as a heroic degree of courage, humility, and perseverance. Added to these virtues, Mother Evelyn possessed a zeal for Catholic education, an aesthetic sense, and great foresight, which enabled her to envision a future for the Academy she loved so dearly.
Mother Evelyn died at Nazareth Convent in Lemay, Missouri, on December 26, 1938, at the age of 79 and in her 62nd year of religious life. Most of those 62 years were spent at STA.