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Award

Catholic Board Names 2011 Distinguished Graduate

Waterloo Region – The Waterloo Catholic District School Board the naming of Sister Barbara Paleczny, SSND, as the Board’s 2011 Distinguished Graduate. The award will be presented on Thursday, October 20, 2011 during St. Mary’s High School’s annual graduation ceremonies.

Sister Barbara is a 1960 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Kitchener and has dedicated her life in service to others on four different continents. She is currently working in south Sudan teaching people to become certified teachers and registered nurses.

Author of five books, Sister Barbara holds bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and has taught all grades from grade 1 to the masters level. She is also an accomplished artist.

Previous award recipients include David Eby, Exec. Director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Assoc (2010)., Rev. Paul Voisin, C.R., Vicar General of the Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda (2009), Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Dr. John Milloy (2008), CTV National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme (2007), University of Waterloo Professor Dr. Brian Orend (2006) and Superior Court Justice Patrick J. Flynn (2005).

Sister Barbara’s nominators have stated: “Sister Barbara makes a difference in every community where she lives, almost without seeming to do so. Knowing God’s deep personal love for her she lives her community motto ‘Trust and Dare’ – ready to risk all for God’s reign of peace and justice. Giving this award to her provides an opportunity to inspire youth to ‘Trust and Dare’”.

The students, staff and trustees of Waterloo Region’s Catholic Schools proudly congratulate Sister Barbara for her many outstanding accomplishments and thank her for her life of promoting and supporting Catholic education and social justice both in Canada and around the world.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 100,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 51 schools and five adult education facilities serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 175-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education first begun in 1836.