Suzette Williams Wins National Distinguished Principal Award

Arlington, Va.—Suzette Williams, principal of the Catholic School of St. Eugene in Oklahoma City, Okla., will receive the 2012 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

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

"Mrs. Williams is an outstanding spiritual leader in her school," said Sister Catherine Powers, Diocese of Oklahoma City superintendent of Catholic schools. "The students know that they are there to learn faith and knowledge, and they surely see that modeled by Suzette Williams and her faculty."

With 23 years' experience as a Catholic educator, Williams serves on several educational committees, including the Council of Commissioners for the Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accrediting Association. She also works with many community organizations, including the Tulsa Summer Youth Camp, Habitat for Humanity and CROP Hunger Walk.

"Each student brings unique gifts from God to every learning experience, and Christ calls on the parent and educator to enable students to reach their full potential," Williams said in describing her educational philosophy.

Williams 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.
• Kimberly Hermsen, Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, Dubuque, Iowa
• 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.
• 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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