The Office of Catholic Education gathered school leaders at Michael Angelo’s Winery on May 9 for its annual spring luncheon to honor retiring principals and announce 2024-2025 diocesan Catholic school award winners.
In his opening remarks, Frank O’Linn, superintendent of schools, recalled the theme of the past year.
“In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you,’” O’Linn said.
“This a beautiful image of the Trinity, and of the mission of Catholic education that we serve faithfully together. For leaders especially, we are connected to God, the vine grower, Jesus the vine and directed by the Holy Spirit. It's important to always remember that we do not labor alone – Christ Jesus accompanies each of us as we strive to educate students for this life and life eternal,” he added.
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The vine and branches theme flowed throughout each of four focus areas this academic year: mental health/wellness, meeting the needs of diverse learners, operational vitality and academic excellence.
For the second consecutive year, the OCE recognized exceptional principals and schools with awards ranging from Catholic identity to school operations.
St. Paul VI Catholic Identity Award – St. Ambrose School. This award recognizes a school that demonstrates a profound commitment to integrating Catholic identity deeply throughout its cultures and practices.
Christ the Teacher Award for Academic Growth – St. Bernadette and St. Sebastian schools. This award recognizes elementary schools that demonstrate the highest academic growth in math and reading on NWEA’s MAP Growth Assessment for two consecutive years.
St. Thomas Aquinas Academic Achievement Award – St. Francis Xavier School. This award recognizes an elementary school with the highest percentage of students who score proficient or higher in both math and reading in a single school year on the spring NWEA MAP Growth Assessment.
Honor Roll for Academic Growth – St. Anthony of Padua School, Akron; St. Joseph School, Amherst; St. Mary of the Assumption School, Mentor; SS. Joseph and John School, Strongsville; St. Joseph School, Avon Lake; St. Michael School, Independence; St. Rocco School, Cleveland; and St. Thomas More School, Brooklyn. This award recognizes elementary schools that demonstrate considerable academic growth in either mathematics or reading on NWEA’s MAP Assessment in a given school year.
St. Matthew Operational Vitality Award – St. Ambrose School. This award recognizes elementary schools that exemplify the effective management of enrollment, advancement, finances, human capital, infrastructure and other resources to ensure the school’s success.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Principal Leadership – Jennifer Woodman, St. Hilary School. This award recognizes an elementary principal, co-principals, or president/principal team for excellence in Catholic educational leadership.
The luncheon concluded with honoring principal retirees for their years of dedicated service to the diocesan Catholic school community. This year’s retiring principals are Karen Cocita, St. Mark School, Cleveland, and Laura Marvin, St. Mary School, Wooster.
Cocita dedicated 50 years of service to Catholic education in the diocese, beginning her career as a teacher at St. Clement School in Lakewood before joining the faculty of St. Mark School in 2000. She has served as principal there since 2011. Long before being a part of their staff, she attended St. Mark School, where she met her husband and later enrolled their two sons.
Marvin started her career in education in the Elyria City Schools, where she served as an intervention specialist. She earned her educational administration degree in 2013, joined the staff of St. Jude School in 2014, and a year later became principal of St. Mary School in Wooster. While at St. Mary, Marvin focused on serving students with diverse learning needs, strengthening enrollment and school operations.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Karen and Laura for their years of faithful service and leadership. Their legacies will continue to inspire generations to come,” said Tracey Arnone, diocesan associate superintendent.