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St. Joseph senior stays connected to her faith, service

Erin Frost enjoys serving at Mass, talking about 'Doctor Who' in Fandom Club

Published: May 27, 2015   

By Aprille Hanson
Associate Editor

Aprille Hanson
Erin Frost, 18, a senior at St. Joseph High School in Conway, averages four to five hours a week volunteering. She will attend the University of Central Arkansas in the fall.

On any given week, St. Joseph High School in Conway Senior Erin Frost can be found being an altar server or usher at Mass, attending classes and volunteering between four to five hours each week while still maintaining at 3.8 GPA.

She’s an avid reader too, but admits, she hasn’t been able to dive into as much science fiction and fantasy novels compared to past years.

“I read probably about 60 to 70 books a year,” Frost, 18, said. “It’s been lower than usual because of scholarships and other stuff.”

Frost, one of three children of John and Candace Frost, attended St. Joseph preschool as a child before her father’s career in the U.S. Army took them to Texas and Alabama.

“I always feel more connected to the Mass when I’m helping with it no matter what area of the Mass.” Erin Frost

Recently, she was able to relate to her family’s military history by placing second in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy essay contest which asked, “Why veterans are important to our nation’s history.” Her brother won first this year; she won first last year.

“It makes me very proud to have represented my family that way,” she said. “In both essays I mentioned my father’s military service.”

Frost returned to Conway with her family when she was in sixth grade. She is a part of the National Honor Society, Interact International, Book Club, Eye Club, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and the Fandom Club she helped create.

“The Fandom Club is for people who are fans of different things, like bands, manga, TV shows or books, where we can get together and discuss them,” she said, adding her obsession is the television show “Doctor Who.” 

At Mass, Frost has assisted her father as a sacristan and been an altar server and usher.

“I always feel more connected to the Mass when I’m helping with it no matter what area of the Mass,” Frost said. “I feel like I understand what’s going on better.”

Her faith formation has given her tools on how to stand up for what she believes, something she did while attending Arkansas Governor’s School last summer. The six-week residential educational program held at Hendrix College in Conway is for gifted students.

“I actually felt like it strengthened my faith. I was up against a wall of opposing opinions and I felt like I had to fight back. I think it helps give me an idea of what I’ll be facing,” in the world, Frost said. “I did have one friend who actually asked me about why Catholics worship Mary. And I was able to fairly well explain we were honoring Mary not worshiping her. We are honoring her because God was honoring her. I stopped in to ask Deacon (Richard) Papini to help with that.”

Frost will attend the University of Central Arkansas in Conway this fall to study education. She has received the UCA Excellence Scholarship, the Kiwanis Club scholarship, the Arkansas Academic Challenge scholarship and the Rotary Club scholarship.

“One of the things I like with National Honor Society is we volunteer at the afterschool care program at St. Joseph. I have always enjoyed teaching younger kids; it’s actually why I want to be a teacher,” Frost said.

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