Springfield Dominican Sister Mary Paul Mc- Caughey, superintendent of the Catholic Schools in the archdiocese, was unanimously chosen by the National Catholic Education Association board to receive the 2011 John F. Meyers Award for Catholic school administration. The award was presented April 25 in New Orleans. NCEA President Karen Ristau, in writing to Sister Mary Paul, explained, “As you know, the Meyer Award is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to Catholic education in the area of administration. Your exceptional leadership in the Archdiocese of Chicago makes you well qualified for this honor and I know its namesake — Msgr. Meyers — will be so delighted that you have been recognized with this national award.” Three other archdiocesan people or groups were honored by the NCEA this year. They are: Jennifer Kowieski, a middle school math, science and religion teacher at St. Josaphat School, 2245 N. Southport, is one 12 elementary school teachers from across the country to receive a Distinguished Teacher Award. Kowieski’s career in Catholic education began when she taught second grade in St. Petersburg, Fla. In Chicago, in addition to teaching across the elementary grades, she helped initiate the LU-CHOICE program through Loyola University Chicago to bring Loyola University graduates into Catholic schools. “Teaching is a calling for me, rather than simply a profession, and I can’t imagine teaching anywhere but in a Catholic school,” she said. Father Ronald Lewinski, pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Mundelein, is being honored as one of 12 Distinguished Pastors for his leadership in developing Frassati Catholic Academy, a middle school jointly sponsored by his parish as well as Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein, and Transfiguration, Wauconda. It is the first archdiocesan middle school. The school’s academic program offers a concentration in math and science and the creative use of technology. The St. Benedict Home & School Association in Chicago will receive the NCEA’s 2011 Distinguished Home & School Associations Award in New Orleans. The St. Benedict Association supports the elementary school’s recruitment, enrollment and retention efforts and has increased enrollment in preschool by 18 percent and in kindergarten by 35 percent through innovative programs across the entire admissions process. In other honors, St. Procopius School, 1625 S. Allport, will receive the 2011 Croghan Award May 11 in recognition of its improving test scores. The award is presented annually by the Big Shoulders Fund and is sponsored by John and Rosemary Croghan. “St. Procopius is proud to accept this award as a symbol of our dramatic growth in achievement and enrollment,” said the principal, Adam Dufault.