Kimberly Hermsen Wins National Distinguished Principal Award

Arlington, Va.—Kimberly Hermsen, principal of Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School in Dubuque, Iowa, will receive the 2012 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

Hermsen will be honored at an awards ceremony during the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.

The founding principal of Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, Hermsen bases her educational philosophy on the pillars of message, worship, community and service. "These four pillars provide a foundation for which I foster our school's faith community," she said. "We are entrusted by parents with their children, and it is our responsibility to partner with them to help form these young people into active, faith-filled members of the broader Catholic Church."

Hermsen's focus is on doing what is best for students, said Jeff Henderson, Archdiocese of Dubuque schools superintendent. "With that philosophy as her driving force, she has led Mazzuchelli Middle School from its very beginning into a Catholic school juggernaut," he said. "The curriculum exudes Catholic values, Catholic philosophy and Catholic education. She pushes her teachers to raise the bar for all students so that they can become all they can be."

Hermsen is one of 11 principals nationwide who have earned NCEA's top award for principals this year. The following will also be honored:

• John Bennett, St. Aloysius Catholic School, Baton Rouge, La.
• Terry Chapman, Our Lady of the Visitation School, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Patricia Devanney, St. Anthony School, Winsted, Conn.
• William Geasor, Salve Regina Academy, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Mary Kilar, St. John the Baptist School, Whitewater, Wis.
• Sheila Martinez, Our Lady of Victory School, Washington, D.C.
• Nancy Matteo, St. Andrew School, Newtown, Pa.
• Kathleen Murphy, Corpus Christi School, Piedmont, Calif.
• Suzette Williams, Catholic School of St. Eugene, Oklahoma, Okla.
• Kathleen Wollan, Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School, St. Paul, Minn.

"Our award winners demonstrate inspirational leadership, dedication to academic excellence and a strong commitment to offering their communities quality, faith-based education," said Christian Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. "These distinguished principals embody the very best of Catholic education in this country."

About the Convention
NCEA's annual convention—which draws educators, administrators, catechists, pastors and parents from throughout the nation—will offer informative sessions, liturgies and networking opportunities. The event at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center will also feature an exhibition of educational products and services from more than 300 companies.

Keynote speakers will include Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and Dr. Mary McDonald, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Memphis, Tenn.

The convocation of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors and the annual meeting of the Catholic Library Association will take place concurrently with the NCEA convention.

NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA's members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.

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