Cornerstone pastors Lynn and Holly Lapka earn award for community work

Lynn and Holly Lapka, pastors at Cornerstone Faith Center, were honored in Helena last week for their extensive contributions to the youth of St. Ignatius.

“In appreciation of their dedication to education and youth in Montana,” the Lapkas were awarded the 2019 Community Partner in Education Award by the Montana Association of Secondary School Principals at the annual Montana Principals Conference.

A statement issued by Kirk Miller of School Administrators of Montana, explained.

“This award is presented to a private citizen outside of the professional educational organization who consistently supports education and youth through his/her involvement in activities or projects that truly impact the schools and communities,” he said.

Supportive activities cited in the statement were: providing custom made bags of food for the entire school district to take home every Friday; hosting a popular back-to-school night in September with games, prizes, and pizza for middle- and high-school students; and hosting a graduating senior luncheon, providing food, drinks, and prizes to the seniors that will help them in their transition to college and adulthood.

Shawn Hendrickson, principal of St. Ignatius Middle School/High School, who nominated the Lapkas for the award, added, “Lynn, Holly and JP Thomas, their youth pastor, do fundraisers for several of our major school events. For the past five years, they’ve allowed our 8th graders to work in the store for an evening to help earn funds to support our eighth-grade culminating project, the Tour of Montana. They selflessly donate $1,500 each year. They have also done this for our Special Olympics efforts as well. They’ve helped fundraise money to send our Unified Partner Teams to districts and state competitions the past two years.”

In his nomination letter, Hendrickson stated, “Lynn and Holly’s willingness to help out the school, but more importantly the youth of St. Ignatius, is immeasurable. They’ve had a significant impact on our daily life within the school system, but also outside of school with their involvement within our community. If there were ever someone deserving of receiving this award, it is Lynn and Holly.”