Outstanding leaders in Catholic education to be honored at NCEA 2024 Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, April 22-24.
The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) has announced the 2024 honorees of the NCEA “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards” (LLP). President of Knoxville Catholic High School, Dickie Sompayrac, has been announced as one of the 11 recipients this year. The LLP award highlights the outstanding work being done in Catholic education communities across the country.
“Within our Catholic school communities, there are those who are the premier advocates for Catholic education. Our LLP honorees tirelessly carry out the mission of faith formation deeply invested in the students, the schools and their ministry. Together let’s honor them for doing the Lord’s work as true servant leaders,” said Lincoln Snyder, NCEA President/CEO.
Mr. Sompayrac began his teaching career as director of admissions at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, TN, and taught chemistry at all levels. He joined Bishop England High School in Charleston, SC, as a chemistry teacher before becoming dean of faculty and co-disciplinarian. He has been the president of Knoxville Catholic High School since 2005. He has overseen the growth of the school not only in enrollment, but on campus with the construction of Faris Fieldhouse, Schaad Hall, St. Gregory the Great Auditorium, and the Witsoe Family STEM Innovation Lab. Mr. Sompayrac is also a leader in the community with the Rotary Club of Knoxville, and is a mentor with VerbKind, a prision ministry at the Richard L. Bean Detention Center.
At 2024 NCEA Convention, “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards” will be presented to: Jamie Dedmon, St. Teresa School, Diocese of Belleville; Jill Harris, St. Cecilia School, Archdiocese of Portland; Raeann Huhn, St. Francis High School, Diocese of Joliet; Maria Iniquen-Gomez, Blessed Sacrament School, Diocese of Raleigh; Tonata Lolesio, Sacred Hearts School, Diocese of Honolulu; Thomas Maloney, Diocese of Lansing; Dr. Barbara Middendorf, Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Diocese of Dallas; Erika Mickelburgh, St. Paul of the Cross School, Archdiocese of Chicago; Dickie Sompayrac, Knoxville Catholic High School, Diocese of Knoxville; Dr. Jim Tabor, Regis St. Mary Catholic School, Archdiocese of Portland; Rev. Timothy Wyciskalla, Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Parish and School, Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
The full biographies for the 2024 NCEA Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards are available on the NCEA website.
