ATLANTA—At the close of Catholic Schools Week this year, teachers and employees of the archdiocesan and independent Catholic schools in the Atlanta Archdiocese gathered for the sixth annual Archbishop’s Banquet for Catholic Education on Feb. 2 at the Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center. At the banquet a teacher or staff member from each of the 23 Catholic schools in the archdiocese was saluted for his or her contributions to the life of the school. Some 11,889 students attend Catholic schools 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

Patricia Allen

St. Joseph School, Marietta

Archdiocesan Principal of the Year

Linda Sanfilippo

Prince of Peace Preschool, Prince of Peace Church, Flowery Branch

Parish Preschool Director of the Year

2013 Outstanding Employees

Archdiocesan and Independent Schools

Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, Nancy Eramian; Christ the King School, Atlanta, Mimi Bryan; Holy Redeemer School, Johns Creek, Sally Nimmo; Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Atlanta, Kelly Sickafoose; Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Atlanta, Carmen Graciaa; Marist School, Atlanta, Peggy Pullen; Monsignor Donovan High School, Athens, Robert McMaken; Notre Dame Academy, Duluth, Amy LoCurto; Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fayetteville, Franck Launay-Fallasse; Our Lady of the Assumption School, Atlanta, Jennifer West; Our Lady of Victory School, Tyrone, Paulette Roberts; Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, Ana Garcia; Queen of Angels School, Roswell, Mary Beth Smith; St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw, Owen Griffith; St. John Neumann Regional School, Lilburn, Olga Hicks; St. John the Evangelist School, Hapeville, Diane Morris; St. Joseph School, Athens, Theresa Napoli; St. Joseph School, Marietta, Susan Burwell; St. Jude the Apostle School, Atlanta, Therese Montesi; St. Mary School, Rome, Diane Hoyt; St. Peter Claver Regional School, Decatur, Brenda Chee Wah; St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, Charleen Klister; St. Thomas More School, Decatur, Ansley Murphey.