Engel is Bishop Diego’s Phil Womble Award winner

Whether it’s on the volleyball court, on the yearbook staff or in a challenging class like advanced placement calculus, the coaches, teachers and students at Bishop Diego can always count Francesca Engel to make a valuable contribution.

Francesca Engel

Francesca Engel

Engel was honored Monday as recipient of the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award. She was presented the award at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon.

The award is presented to a high school junior student-athlete who holds remarkable core values and ethics on and off the field. Those values include accountability, respect, honesty, positive attitude, reliability, loyalty, sportsmanship, putting others above self and team above personal interest.

Engel, a member of Bishop’s volleyball and track teams, carries a 4.53 grade point average with a class load that includes AP calculus, AP Spanish and  AP English.

The daughter of Doug and Lucia Engel also is on the school yearbook staff, is a leader in Bishop’s Ambassadors program, president of the Direct Relief Club and a member of the National Honor Society.

“She brings a team approach to the classroom and finds ways to help other students,” yearbook moderator Dan Yokubaitis said in statement. “She is a clever intelligent young lady. Her attention to detail sets a positive example for other students in the classroom.”

Said Dr. Joe Reiken, her calculus teacher and Head of School: “Her tenacity to achieve is accomplished with such vigor, humility and patience that she truly is a crown jewel in our school community.”

Volleyball coach Jason Donnelly said Engel is “a dream to coach. She’ll do whatever it takes to make the team better.”