Educators and employees of the archdiocesan and independent Catholic schools around the metro Atlanta area gathered for the fifth annual Education Banquet on Feb. 4 at the Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center.

The banquet is the traditional closing to the celebration of Catholic Schools Week in the Atlanta Archdiocese, which this year had the theme of “Faith. Academics. Service.” At the banquet a teacher or staff member from each of the 23 Catholic schools in the archdiocese is saluted for his or her contributions to the life of the school. Some 11, 890 students attend Catholic school in the archdiocese.

The Georgia Bulletin interviewed four of the employees honored, as representative of all those dedicated to Catholic education who were celebrated this year.

2012 Archdiocesan Education Banquet Honorees

Patty Childs

St. Jude the Apostle School, Atlanta

Archdiocesan Principal of the Year

Beedee Soskin

Little Ones Preschool, Corpus Christi Church, Stone Mountain

Parish Preschool Director of the Year

2012 Outstanding Employees

Archdiocesan and Independent Catholic Schools

Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, Chuck Price; Christ the King School, Atlanta, Nick Saporito; Holy Redeemer School, Johns Creek, Toni Trevisan; Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Atlanta, Rosemary Thomasberger; Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Atlanta, Haydee Vader; Marist School, Atlanta, Marist Father Frank Kissel; Monsignor Donovan High School, Athens, Don Waldron; Notre Dame Academy, Duluth, Diane Ballard; Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fayetteville, Rhonda O. Anderson; Our Lady of the Assumption School, Atlanta, Terry Camp; Our Lady of Victory School, Tyrone, Anne Morrison; Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, Heide S. Grieb; Queen of Angels School, Roswell, Rhetta Ascari; St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw, Sue Schendl; St. John Neumann Regional School, Lilburn, Elibeth Torres; St. John the Evangelist School, Hapeville, Kristi Wilczynski; St. Joseph School, Athens, Amy Pasko; St. Joseph School, Marietta, Susan Arenson; St. Jude the Apostle School, Atlanta, Jane Rutkowski; St. Mary School, Rome, Justin Merriam; St. Peter Claver Regional School, Decatur, Christy Clune; St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, Ruth McCullough; St. Thomas More School, Decatur, Kim Kissell.