For second time since 2017, Catholic Central student earns rare NCEA honor

Shamrock senior David Kibbey receives 'Youth Values, Valor and Vision Award' for his faith, leadership, and service to others

NOVI — For the second time in recent years, a student from Detroit Catholic Central High School has been awarded the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) Youth Values, Valor and Vision Award.

Catholic Central senior David Kibbey was among 12 students chosen for the award from more than 1.6 million Catholic school students across the country. He was presented with the award on Wednesday, Jan. 31, during a Mass at Catholic Central celebrated by Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton.

Caleb White (Class of 2020) was the first Catholic Central student to receive the award during his time as a student. White earned the award in 2017.

The Youth Values, Valor and Vision Award “recognizes students in elementary and secondary schools who through selfless service, determination, innovation and ideals are changing the world while bearing witness to their Catholic faith," according to the NCEA.

Kibbey was recognized for being “a school leader who seeks to serve others by fostering the well-being and happiness of others," the NCEA said. "As an original member of the Detroit Catholic Central High School Shamrock (Intentional Disciples) ID Program, David has helped his fellow schoolmates develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ as ‘intentional disciples.’”

In addition to his involvement in the Shamrock ID Program, Kibbey's service to others has included numerous other outreach activities.

Through an organization he co-founded, Kibbey became involved with Toys for Tots in 2022, in which he and his co-founders collected 4,200 toys for local children in need. He is also vice president of the Catholic Central Finance Club, which organized a $25,000 scholarship fund for Catholic Central students in need.

Kibbey has been a member of PBJ Outreach since fourth grade, which serves food to the homeless in inner-city Detroit, and last year he managed a location that served approximately 100 Thanksgiving meals.

Kibbey told Detroit Catholic it is "a very humbling experience to be recognized" by the NCEA, adding his faith has played a significant role in his involvement.

“My faith has really made it possible, and I attribute all 100% of the success to that and I’m very appreciative,” Kibbey said. “Having the opportunity to go to daily Mass every day, having priests around your school who are super supportive and teachers who want to actually talk to you about God and want to have faith involved in your daily life, it’s been a huge, huge, monumental blessing.”

Kibbey said favorite Scripture is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Perhaps his most significant project, Kibbey is the co-founder and chairman of Northville Concours d’Elegance (Northville Concours for short), a nonprofit geared toward inspiring the next generation of automotive enthusiasts.

The organization, which Kibbey started with his friends Chase Ziegler, Drew Lehnert, and Patrick Rizzo, plans and hosts auto shows in Northville that showcase a range of high-end luxury and vintage collector cars. The participants have their cars judged on a variety of factors including condition, appearance, interior material quality, year and model. Kibbey and his co-founders invite and train around 50 young car enthusiasts on how to judge the event. They are committed to providing an opportunity for any young person who has a passion for cars, and have even offered to pay for the hotels of those coming from out of town and requiring assistance.

Kibbey believes the experience offers young people a chance to get off their phones, come out their shells and have “the weekend of their life” around cool cars and great people. The event has a “no phones” policy for youth judges over the course of the weekend to help keep them immersed in the experience.

The youth judges are introduced to the well-connected and passionate community of car enthusiasts and presented with mentoring and networking opportunities with older hobbyists and car industry professionals, Kibbey said. Most of all, they are able to make lasting friendships with their fellow youth judges.

Kibbey’s own love for cars began with his grandfather, a car salesman and enthusiast, and was further inspired by his five years of experience as a youth judge himself, which in turn made him want to create a similar experience for other young people.

Northville Concours’s first year in 2022 offered free entry and had an operating budget of just $700 for food, signage, and other materials. Two years later, that budget has grown to well above $15,000. This year's event, scheduled for July 12-14 at Mill Race Historical Village in Northville, will showcase more than 85 cars and employ a team of 30-40 volunteers.

Newcomers can apply online to have their car selected for this year's showcase.

Fueling such massive growth was a successful first inaugural Founder’s Dinner, which honored local car collectors of the year. Kibbey said he likes to “push the envelope” and hopes to have an even greater turnout at the second Founder’s Dinner and Auction, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, at Cauley Ferrari of Detroit in West Bloomfield. Tickets for the event can be purchased online.