The Hawaii Catholic Schools office is reporting six new Catholic school administrators for the start of 2014-2015 school year. Here they are in alphabetical order.
Damien Memorial School
Brother Daniel Casey, CFC
Principal
Originally from Chicago, Christian Brother Daniel Casey has a degree in speech and drama from Lewis College in Lockport, Ill. (now Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill.), and a master’s in communication arts from the University of Notre Dame.
He also has a master’s from the University of San Francisco’s Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership in private school administration.
Brother Casey has taught in schools in Illinois, Michigan, Arizona and California. He has also served as principal of Seton Catholic High School in Chandler, Ariz., and of Brother Rice High School in Chicago.
He has just competed nine years of service on the province leadership team of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, North America.
Rosary Preschool, Waipio
Sister Oliva Fuentes, OP
Interim director
The new interim director of Rosary Preschool in Waipio is Sister M. Oliva Fuentes, a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines, the order that runs the school.
Rosary Preschool was her first assignment as a teacher when she came to Hawaii in 2008.
In 2013, she completed her master’s of education with an emphasis in instructional curriculum from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She looks forward to bringing Rosary Preschool to the next level of academic excellence.
Saint Anthony School, Kalihi
Sister Victoria Lavente, SPC
Principal
Sister Victoria Lavente, a member of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, is returning as the principal of St. Anthony School in Kalihi.
She was principal of the school for the 2011 and 2012 school years.
Born and raised in Iloilo City, Philippines, she attended Iloilo Central Elementary School, a public school with strong Catholic formation under the guidance of the Assumption Sisters. She earned bachelor of arts degrees in English and economics from the University of San Agustin.
She entered the religious life in 1981 at age 29.
St. Theresa School, Honolulu
Sister John Joseph Gilligan, CSJ
Principal
Sister John Joseph Gilligan is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet of the province of Albany, N.Y., where she was born. She came to the islands in 1980 to teach at St. Theresa School in Honolulu where she later served as principal.
This is the second time she will lead the school as its top administrator.
Sister John Joseph also taught at St. Anthony School, Kailua, and was the director of peace education for Hawaii Catholic Schools.
She celebrated her 50th anniversary of religious life in 2011.
Star of the Sea School
Margaret Rufo
Interim principal
Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Margaret Rufo has been proudly teaching in Catholic middle schools in Canada and the United States for 20 years. She recently accepted the interim principal position at Star of the Sea School in Waialae-Kahala.
She has a bachelor of science degree in nursing and practiced orthopedic nursing for two years before pursuing a bachelor in education degree and a master’s of administrative education in 1995.
In addition to classroom teaching, Rufo has experience in curriculum development, administration and professional workshop presentations.
Her commitment to her Catholic faith and lifelong learning forms the foundation of her pedagogical philosophy, which is to foster spiritual faith, independence, self-confidence and self-motivation in her students so that they may succeed in an ever-changing and challenging world.
Rufo enjoys travelling, playing tennis and spending time with her husband and two boys appreciating the beautiful outdoors.
St. Joseph School, Hilo
Llewellyn K. Young Jr.
Principal
Kauai native Llewellyn K. Young Jr., who comes with more than 16 years of experience in educational administration and leadership here and on the Mainland, will succeed Deacon LeRoy Andrews as principal of Hilo’s St. Joseph School. Deacon Andrews has been interim principal for the past year.
Young holds a doctorate degree in education and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Since 2010, he has been dean of enrollment services at Arizona Western College at Yuma, while also teaching in the business and liberal arts division. Before that, Young was an assistant dean for academic affairs and campus operations at Northern Arizona University and project director of the UH College of Education, Hawaii Leadership Academy.
