PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE January 15, 2016
CONTACT Carrie Birchler, Director of Outreach, Damien High School
Margaret Kaplow, Public Relations Manager
National Catholic Educational Association
571.206.1533
RELEASE Damien High School Principal To Be Honored At NCEA 2016 Convention and Expo in San Diego
NCEA Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards recognize educational leadership and excellence
LA VERNE, CALIF. Dr. Merritt V. Hemenway of Damien High School in La Verne, California, will receive the 2016 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) for dedication and commitment to excellence.
The teachers, principals, pastors, presidents, superintendents and organizations who serve in the nation's Catholic education system, will be recognized during the annual NCEA 2016 Convention & Expo that will take place March 29 – 31 in San Diego, Ca. The annual award honors those who have demonstrated a strong Catholic educational philosophy as well as exceptional ability, dedication and results.
“NCEA commends the outstanding efforts, contributions and achievements of exceptional leaders in Catholic education,” said NCEA Interim President Dr. Thomas W. Burnford. "We are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Merritt V. Hemenway who serves as an ambassador of faith formation and academic excellence, and inspires Catholic educators across the country.”
Dr. Hemenway has spent 48 years in Catholic education and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his deep personal faith, creative leadership and positive relationships that he has built. As Damien’s principal, he has been the motivating force behind the school’s application to become an International Baccalaureate school and has added new programs in engineering and robotics. He is a spiritual leader who leads by example. Dr. Hemenway is a respected presenter on witnessing the faith, high school retreat programs and programs for serving the learning disabled.
“High school education has been his life,” said Assistant Superintendent Sharon J. Moreno, “and our schools have been blessed and enriched because of Merritt’s commitment and dedication to the field of education.”
About Damien High School: Damien High School is an all-male high school owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). Inspired by the compassionate example of Saint Damien of Molokai to ensure the well-being of others, Damien High School promotes the development of its students through instruction, fellowship, service, and prayer.
About the NCEA Convention and Expo
NCEA's convention, held this year in collaboration with the Diocese of San Diego, is the largest private education association gathering in the country. It draws participants from all facets of Catholic education, including elementary and secondary schools, religious education programs and colleges and universities. The event features professional development sessions, liturgies and an exhibition of educational products and services. For more information, visit: www.ncea.org/convention
NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. For more information, visit: www.ncea.org
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