Father Alello, St. Michael educator honored by NCEA

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge have forged a legacy of excellence that extends to the national arena.

The tradition is continuing this year as 20% of national award winners at the upcoming National Catholic Educators Association Conference are from the diocese.

Father Michael Alello, pastor at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge and Joshua Zeringue, a teacher at St. Michael the Archangel Diocesan High School in Baton Rouge, are two of 10 individuals to receive 2023 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards during the NCEA’s April conference.

The awards highlight the outstanding work of Catholic school educators and clergy members across the country, according to the NCEA.

“I do take a sense of pride in the awards,” said Dr. Pattie Davis, who is in her first year as superintendent of the Catholic Schools Office. “I feel like as a newcomer it’s a sense of pride I am a part of a diocese that is recognized not only this year but in the past for a nationwide recipient.

“I’ve never been in a diocese where they have been recognized.”

“The awards are also testimony to the quality of education in the Diocese of Baton Rouge,” Davis said.

Father Alello received the Distinguished Catholic School Clergy award and Zeringue the Distinguished Catholic School Educator Award during the diocesan annual Distinguished Graduates Awards Dinner on Jan 30.

St. Aloysius Catholic School principal Erin Candilora was selected as the diocesan Distinguished Catholic School Administrator. She was nominated for the national award.

“The diocese is active in honoring and recognizing  leadership in the schools, whether it’s the pastor, principal or teacher,” Davis said. “Because we recognize and acknowledge our leadership and want to honor them, we pass that on to the NCEA. They understand how much we value our leadership, because some people won’t even take the time to submit names.”

Father Alello said a Catholic school is one of the key components in helping students form their faith. He acknowledges the challenges that come with being pastor at a  church with a school but he embraces them, grateful for the joy that comes with seeing broad smiles on the faces of the most innocent.

But he also noted the tremendous responsibility that comes with the joy, as families are entrusting their children to the school faculty and trusting the staff to help their children grow in their faith.

“It’s truly a joy to be recognized nationally by the NCEA,” Father Alello said. “Pastoring a church and school can definitely bring challenges yet our students and faculty bring such energy and excitement to our campus. Our team at STM does a phenomenal job forming and educating students, I’m glad to be a small part of their work. 

St. Michael principal Ellen Lee has previously touted Zeringue as an excellent role model as a faith-filled, caring teacher and family man. Lee said Zeringue’s life is an example of living out the Gospel message.

While at St. Michael, Zeringue has developed an African American studies class with the goal of appreciation among students of other cultures during a time of racial unrest in Baton Rouge. His duties include guiding students through the rigorous course of Advanced Placement and duel enrollment classes.

“Catholic schools excel because excellent people give it their all to love them into being,” said Lincoln Snyder, NCEA President/CEO. “We are humbled by the Christian witness this year’s honorees offer to their Catholic school communities.”

NCEA will recognize the 10 honorees of the 2023 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards at the NCEA 2023 Convention during an awards dinner scheduled for April 10 at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas.

Sister Anne Campbell O. Carm., longtime and popular principal at Mt. Carmel Academy in New Orleans is also one of the 10 educators being honored, bringing to three the honorees from Louisiana.