Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards
Recognizing Outstanding Catholic School Educators
The Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Catholic school education through visionary leadership, the promotion of academic excellence, and a deep commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church in education.
For more information regarding the LLP Awards program, please contact Fr. Tom Simonds, SJ.
Winners of the Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards 2026
Ryan Dilag, M.A.
Teacher, Director of Campus Ministry
Bishop O’Dowd High School
Diocese of Oakland
Oakland, CA
Ryan Dilag is the director of campus ministry, music ministry coordinator, and a religious studies instructor at Bishop O'Dowd High School in the Diocese of Oakland. He has ministered professionally in the Catholic Church for almost 15 years. His areas of expertise include liturgies, prayer, music ministry, Confirmation, Kairos, youth ministry, family ministry, and adult spirituality.
Mr. Dilag strives to make the Catholic faith accessible, relatable, and inclusive for this generation of students. He started the first in-house high school Confirmation program at O’Dowd and the diocese, a youth and family ministry program, a morning meditation program, and a campus ministry internship program. He has written a school song, sung at every O’Dowd liturgy, and created a call-and-response prayer format inspired by the Christian Brothers and Jesuits used during daily morning prayer.
Graduating from Santa Clara University with a master's degree in pastoral ministries, Mr. Dilag truly embraces Ignatian spirituality—faith that does justice. He recently completed Creighton University’s Graduate Certificate in Catholic School Leadership program and has begun Creighton’s doctorate program in interdisciplinary leadership. He has vocational aspirations to be a Catholic high school principal and a permanent deacon.
Dr. John Flanery
President
Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools
Sioux City, IA
Dr. John Flanery is president of the Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools in Sioux City, IA. He oversees four PK - 8 centers and Bishop Heelan Catholic High School. He increased enrollment through the addition of a dual-language program and the development of a dual-credit program with a local university.
In this position since March 2019, Dr. Flanery acts as a bridge to alumni and community members through constant engagement and communication. He works closely with his various leadership teams to provide a collaborative and mission-driven environment.
Dr. Flanery previously was the director of choral activities at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and the associate choral director at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. As a collegiate choral professor, he taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in choral conducting and choral literature. He has led mixed choirs, men’s choirs, and community choirs for 30 years.
Dr. Flanery has a Doctor of Musical Arts and a master's degree in choral conducting from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Music Education from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City.
Tricia Menzhuber, Ed.S.
Principal
St. John Paul II and Immaculate Conception Catholic Schools
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN
Tricia Menzhuber became principal of St. John Paul II Catholic School in Northeast Minneapolis in July 2018 and then agreed to also lead Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Columbia Heights this past October.
Growing up in Minnesota, she attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School in Brooklyn Center until eighth grade thanks to the great sacrifice of her family. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas in international studies and justice and peace studies with minors in Spanish and economics, the first in her immediate family to earn a four-year degree.
She began her career in education in 2001, teaching high school religion and social studies in Los Angeles, while earning her M.Ed. through the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE). Mrs. Menzhuber returned to the Twin Cities, continuing her teaching career at the Convent of the Visitation School while earning her English as a New Language (ENL) certificate at the University of Notre Dame. During her five years as head of school at The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori School, she earned her fundraising certificate, education specialist (Ed.S.) degree, and K-12 principal license. She has successfully advocated for private school assistance in the Minnesota legislature and developed a new program to welcome immigrant families.
Father Mark Peacock
Pastor
Holy Spirit Parish and School
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI
Father Mark Peacock is the pastor at Holy Spirit Parish and School. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 2007, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, MI. He is known for being very present in his community and for enhancing the Catholic mission of his school.
Following his ordination, Father Mark served as parochial vicar at St. Jude Parish in Grand Rapids. After two years of service, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Parnell, MI, where he served for nine years. He was subsequently assigned as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, one of the largest parishes in the diocese, serving approximately 1,600 families and supporting a Catholic school with 400 students. Father Mark has increased enrollment at Holy Spirit, now the largest parish school in the diocese.
He received a Master of Divinity degree from Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, WI. Father Mark credits Sr. Maria Jose, his second-grade teacher, for her kindness and for instilling in him the foundational skills and values that continue to guide his leadership in building a strong and successful Catholic school.
Shaileen Riginos, M.A.
Associate Superintendent
Diocese of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Shaileen Riginos is the associate superintendent for the Diocese of Charleston. She supports schools through strategic planning, accreditation, and professional development. She champions teachers in instructional practice, cultivates a collaborative professional culture, has led the development of faith-infused curriculum shared across the diocese, and guides principals in accessing federal funds.
As principal of St. Anne Catholic School for a decade, she led the school's expansion, making it the first PK–12 Catholic school in the diocese where enrollment and diversity grew through Notre Dame's Latino Enrollment Institute. Her team established programs including the John Paul II Program for the Arts, the HOUSE mentorship program, and the Pope Francis Center for Student Success, and the school is recognized as a School of Excellence by the Cardinal Newman Society.
A graduate of Stetson University with a master's degree in educational leadership, Mrs. Riginos partnered with the University of Notre Dame to bring the ACE Teaching Fellows program to the diocese. Her passion remains mentoring educators. She is credited with implementing the Danielson Framework in diocesan schools, creating a consistent and challenging curriculum for all students.
Father Geoffrey N. Rose, OSFS
President
St. Francis de Sales School
Diocese of Toledo
Toledo, OH
Father Geoffrey Rose is the president of St. Francis de Sales School. He added grades 7-8 and built up the endowment fund to enhance the school’s operational vitality. With 25 years of service in Catholic education, he has dedicated his ministry to forming young people through faith-centered leadership, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to the mission of the Church.
Father Geoffrey served in public leadership at the municipal, state, and federal levels, which continues to inform his approach to Catholic education and leadership. He led the creation of a bipartisan statement on school choice signed by both public and private school leaders in Ohio.
He began his work in Catholic schools as a teacher and campus minister. As an educational leader, he has guided school communities through periods of growth and renewal, strengthening Catholic identity, advancing academic programs, and fostering cultures rooted in faith, formation, and service.
Father Geoffrey, an accomplished preacher and retreat leader, offers parish missions, conferences, and retreats nationally and internationally. He is actively involved in mission and service initiatives, including founding Mission for Wisdom & Hope, which supports educational opportunities for underserved communities abroad.
Catherine Thompson, M.Ed.
Superintendent
Archdiocese of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Catherine Thompson was appointed superintendent of Catholic schools in 2015 by Bishop Joseph Pepe and has served the Archdiocese of Las Vegas in various roles over the last 33 years. Beginning as an elementary school educator, she spent seven years teaching elementary and middle school students before transitioning to leadership roles, first as an assistant principal and then as principal for 17 years.
In addition to serving as superintendent, Mrs. Thompson has, over the years, represented the archdiocese as a Commissioner of the Western Catholic Education Association. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and has dedicated her career to serving students, families, and communities throughout the archdiocese.
She champions the belief that every child reflects God's image and deserves an excellent education. She has expanded professional development in differentiated instruction, assessment literacy, and inclusion strategies, ensuring that struggling learners receive necessary support and that advanced learners are challenged. Her leadership promotes continuous improvement rooted in gospel values, emphasizing growth by integrating faith with academic rigor.
Sister Danielle Bernadette Truex, IHM
Principal
Saint Peter the Apostle School
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Sister Danielle Truex is a sister of the Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the current principal at St. Peter the Apostle School in Philadelphia. During her five years at St. Peter the Apostle School, enrollment has increased from 150 to 220 students and Sister Danielle has secured more than $750,000 in grants to support school safety, an instructional support program for students with learning disabilities, an increased literacy program with the University of Notre Dame, and technology and building upgrades to support the inner city school’s student population.
Before becoming principal at St. Peter the Apostle, Sister Danielle served as principal in the Diocese of Harrisburg and as a teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In addition to these roles, she served on the COVID-19 Reopening Committee for the Diocese of Harrisburg and the Instructional Support Advancement Committee. She is currently a member of the Philadelphia Advisory Committee.
Sister Danielle enjoys working in collaboration with the parish and other Catholic schools to advance the mission of Catholic education in the inner city, ensuring it remains affordable, accessible, and academically rigorous.