Catholic Young Woman of the Year | Baccalaureate Mass Speaker
University of San Diego: Communications & Marketing
From her first day at Mater Dei to her final role as Baccalaureate Mass Speaker, Clara Wickwire has embraced every opportunity to lead with faith, purpose, and joy. A proud graduate of Saint Bonaventure Catholic School, Clara chose Mater Dei for its commitment to Catholic values and the sense of community she felt from day one.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be just a number,” she shares. “I was going to be part of something bigger—a family.”
Throughout her four years, Clara immersed herself in student life through ASB, Campus Ministry, and as a dedicated manager for the Girls Lacrosse team. Her leadership, service, and spiritual commitment culminated in her recognition as Mater Dei’s Catholic Young Woman of the Year—an honor that reflects more than 520 hours of service and a deep devotion to servant leadership.
Two moments stand out as especially transformative: attending the Campus Ministry Vision Trip to Chicago and Notre Dame, and serving alongside the MD Girls Lacrosse coaches.
“The Vision Trip changed my outlook on life and faith—it was a journey I’ll never forget,” she says. “And working with coaches like Ane and Molly in lacrosse showed me what it means to lead with love.”
Clara’s guiding light at Mater Dei has been the school’s core values: Honor, Glory, and Love. “Honor is stopping to pray. Glory is singing at Mass, even if no one else does. Love is showing kindness to everyone because we never know what someone is going through,” she reflects. “These values have inspired me to be bold in my faith.”
With a 4.0 unweighted GPA (4.5 weighted), Clara now sets her sights on the University of San Diego, where she plans to double major in Communications and Marketing. Her dream? To turn her passion for people and storytelling into a fulfilling career rooted in purpose.
“I’ll miss the family I found at Mater Dei—the teachers, the coaches, the staff who truly care about your future,” Clara says. “This place is unforgettable.”