At its annual spring luncheon, the diocesan Office of Catholic Education presented awards to several schools for their accomplishments during the past year. In addition, retiring principals and OCE administrators were recognized for nearly 300 years of service to schools throughout Northeastern Ohio.
The following awards were presented.
- The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Principal Leadership was presented to Steve Martin, St. Helen School, for excellence in Catholic educational leadership.
- St. Paul VI Catholic Identity Award went to Incarnate Word Academy, recognizing its profound commitment to integrating Catholic identity throughout its cultures and practices.
- Christ the Teacher Award for Academic Growth was presented to St. Bernadette, St. Hilary and St. Michael schools for achieving the highest academic growth in math and reading on the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment for two consecutive years.
- The St. Thomas Aquinas Academic Achievement Award went to St. Francis Xavier School for having the highest percentage of students scoring 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 awards were presented to St. Adalbert, St. Mary in Akron, St. Mary in Chardon and St. Vincent de Paul schools. 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.
- The St. Matthew Operational Vitality Award went to St. Thomas More School for exemplifying the effective management of enrollment, advancement, finances, human capital, infrastructure and other resources to ensure the school’s success.
These retiring principals and OCE administrators were recognized.
- Rita Basalla, St. Mary Byzantie School, is retiring after a 37-year education career, including 23 years as principal of St. Mary Byzantine.
- Danene Beal, St. Francis Xavier School principal since 2018, is concluding 27 years in education, serving in two states and teaching at various grade levels.
- Patricia Nugent, principal at St. Mary School in Akron, has spent 45 years in Catholic education. Thirty-three years were as principal at St. Hilary, St. Joseph School, Cuyahoga Falls, and St. Mary, Akron, schools.
- Diane Salamon’s education career spanned 40 years, including roles as both a teacher and school administrator. She served as a curriculum director at St. Francis de Sales School in Akron, assistant principal at St. Francis Xavier School in Medina, and most recently as principal of St. Vincent de Paul School in Akron.
- Edward Vittardi, principal at St. Albert the Great School, has spent 44 years in education, including 13 years of service in the Diocese of Cleveland. He has been a teacher, educator, counselor, administrator and superintendent.
- Tracey Arnone has spent 41 years in education, including 26 years in diocesan schools. Before joining the OCE, she was a teacher, assistant principal and principal. As associate superintendent, Arnone said one of her greatest joys was accompanying school leaders through both moments of celebration and times of challenge.
- Jennifer Miroglotta’s 40-year career in Catholic education spanned both secondary and higher education. She was a teaching assistant and adjunct instructor at John Carroll University for 13 years, before teaching English and serving as the dean of academics at St. Peter Chanel High School. For the past 13 years, she has served as curriculum coordinator in the OCE.
Read more about the annual spring principal’s luncheon here.