“Both of these ladies will be missed tremendously,” said Patricia Vesely, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese.
Both Blank and Ferrer characterized their time at their respective schools as a true calling.
“It’s one thing to have a job and it’s another thing to minister while you’re working,” Ferrer said, “and know that you’re making a difference in the lives of the children and helping them grow in their faith.”
Ferrer ministered at St. Peter and St. Paul School for 31 years, the last 27 as principal. In 2010, the school expanded from a preschool-kindergarten campus to include the first through fifth grade. Adding a grade each year, St. Peter and St. Paul produced its first group of fifth graders this year. The school went through its first accreditation process as a K-5 this year.
“It was important to see our school through the fifth grade, to see our first class move on,” Ferrer said.
Blank’s stay at St. Margaret Mary School lasted 25 years, 23 as principal. In 1994, she took a seat on the Catholic School Superintendent’s Executive Council representing the West End Cluster of Schools and has served there ever since. In 2008, Blank became the fourth Catholic School Principal from the Diocese to be named as Distinguished Principal for the western U.S. by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).
Vesely said matching teachers’ abilities with areas of need was among Blank’s strengths as a principal.
“She really could identify people’s talents and place them appropriately,” Vesely said.
Blank said she was energized by the belief that the solid educational and spiritual foundation given to children at her school would help them throughout their life.
“I’ll miss the kids. That’s probably the biggest thing,” she said. “Especially when they come back from high school and say ‘we’re doing well because of our experience at your school.’ ”
Waylynn Senn, who has served as a junior high teacher at St. Margaret Mary, was named as the new principal of the school. Kelly Burt, first grade teacher at St. Peter and St. Paul School, will take over as principal there.