The Archdiocese of Atlanta celebrated excellence in education at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Conference held April 10-13.

More than 10,000 Catholic educators from around the country attended the conference, which featured approximately 400 sessions and workshops.

Karen Vogtner, principal of St. John the Evangelist School in Hapeville, was honored at the opening banquet as one of 12 distinguished Catholic school principals in the country.

Nominated by archdiocesan superintendent of schools Diane Starkovich, Vogtner was selected as the South Atlantic Region awardee for the 2006-2007 NCEA Dr. Robert J. Kealey Distinguished Principal Award.

The Home and School Association from Queen of Angels School in Roswell was also honored for its commitment to serving its school community. The HSA from Queen of Angels was among eight associations to win an award at the convention. According to the NCEA literature, the HSAs were honored for their commitment to “work diligently to ensure quality education and development of school children. They are committed to providing additional resources to parents, students and teachers as well as to school faculty. Home and school associations are essential within the Catholic school environment because they are committed not only to the success of schools but to the success of individual families as they embark upon each level of the educational ladder.”

Starkovich said that it’s “extremely rare” for an archdiocese to receive two awards, but that it is unsurprising given the level of excellence provided by educators in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

“It’s just so representative of what happens here,” she said. “It’s a great honor not only to our schools, but to our entire archdiocese. I was so proud that evening—just so proud.”