St. John Neumann Catholic School principal Barbara Cole has been recognized by the National Catholic Educational Association with the Dr. Robert Kealey Distinguished Principal Award. She is pictured above with her mother, Kay Ryback(l), and husband, Nick. St. John Neumann Catholic School's principal, Barbara Cole, has been recognized by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) with the Dr. Robert Kealey Distinguished Principal Award. The award is bestowed upon principals who exemplify strong leadership and demonstrate unsurpassed commitment to an outstanding Catholic education for their students. Each year, a total of only 12 elementary school principals from more than 6,165 Catholic Schools across the nation are selected for the prestigious award. Cole is this year's representative from the South Atlantic Region, which includes over 600 elementary schools.

Cole was surprised by the entire student body, faculty and staff, and colleagues from the area and state at a ceremony recognizing her as the 2008- 2009 recipient. The announcement came just after an assembly where the school celebrated service learning by presenting the US Marine Corps with a truckload of toys for their Toys for Tots program.

After the students were finished delivering the toys, Sr. Julia M. Hutchison, SND, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Charleston, called Cole to the front of the gymnasium and announced the honor. Cole's mother, Kay Ryback, from Illinois, and husband, Nick were also in attendance.

Cole has accepted many awards on behalf of St. John Neumann Catholic School, but this individual honor was unique and quite special. This year the school has been recognized on the national stage in Washington, D.C., as a recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education, and in Chicago, Illinois, as a recipient of the Fidelity Award from the International Alliance for Invitational Education (IAIE). Cole was visibly moved to receive the outstanding honor which celebrated her dedication and tireless efforts to the school and diocese.

The NCEA formal presentation of the award will take place April 14, 2009, in Anaheim, California.