St. John Eudes Names Alumnus of the Year

[This news release comes from St. John Eudes School.]

St. John Eudes School recently presented its 2012 Alumnus of the Year award to Kym Piekunka Raines, of the Class of 1983.

Mrs. Raines is a graduate of the University of San Diego where she became active in an alcohol and drug education and counseling program. Her efforts resulted in a significant decrease in alcohol related incidents, including date rape and alcohol poisoning.

After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology, she began working in group homes with abused children. This position inspired a passion to give a voice to those who did not have one. When her sister Kacy died from her eating disorder, Mrs. Raines felt there was a tremendous need to educate students about eating disorders and has worked tirelessly to help those with eating related conditions.

She advocates through her blog, Do I Have to Scream It, as well as through speaking engagements, volunteering for the National Eating Disorders Association as a mentor, and offering panel presentations on body image, the media, and eating disorder education. Her future goal is to write a book for families and focus on educating the parents and educational institutions to understand their important role in helping their children, teenagers, and young adults address the issues of the media, peer pressure, parental influence, sibling relationships, and their own concerns about weight, self image, and self esteem.

Mrs. Raines also develop an interest in environmental issues while a student at St. John Eudes School and continues to be an active environmentalist.  While at USD she was instrumental in establishing USD's first University President-approved Sustainability Task Force. This team implemented a LEED Certified building, solar panels, the local growing of organic foods, and a recycling program.

The committee which made the selection was headed by Fr. Gérard Lecomte, CJM, St. John Eudes pastor, and Mrs. Danowitz, school principal.  The presentation was made at a special dinner on April 21, 2012.  A number of other fine candidates were also considered by the committee.  Additional information about this year’s award, and also past recipients, can be found on the school website at www.school.stjohneudes.org.