West Hartford, Feb. 1 — Margaret Williamson, Principal/Chief Administrator of Northwest Catholic High School, is one of only six people nationwide to be recognized as an outstanding high school educator by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

Mrs. Williamson was chosen to receive the 2011 Catholic Secondary Education Award because of her dedication and commitment to NWC and her contributions to secondary Catholic education in general, according to Philip V. Robey, executive director of the NCEA's Secondary Schools Department. She will receive the award in April at the NCEA annual convention in New Orleans.

She is the first high school administrator from the Archdiocese of Hartford to receive this honor. However, five elementary school principals from the Hartford Archdiocese have also attained national recognition from NCEA in the past. Those administrators are: Sr. M. Marlene Hostetter, SSJ, Holy Cross School, New Britain (1989); Eileen Sampiere, Corpus Christi, Wethersfield (2005); Kathleen Molner, Assumption, Ansonia (2007); Mark Monnerat, St. Joseph, Bristol (2008); and Mary Macunas, St. Rose, East Hartford, now at St. Bernard, Enfield (2010).

"This award from the NCEA brings high honor not only to Margaret Williamson, but also to the Archdiocese of Hartford," said Archbishop Henry J. Mansell. "Her enlightened leadership, consistent ability for hard work, and outstanding dedication to the Catholic Church continue to attract extraordinary esteem, appreciation, and gratitude from all of us in the Archdiocese. Her edifying example as a wife and mother provides wonderful inspiration for widespread emulation."

The national award comes closely on the heels of a regional award Mrs. Williamson received in August 2010, when she was named the Distinguished Principal for 2010-11 for the Archdiocese of Hartford by Dale R. Hoyt, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese.

"Margaret Williamson is a remarkable administrator who, even when focusing on 'big picture' issues such as long-range planning and financial viability, is still able to concentrate on individual students -– their education, their spirituality, their potential, and their safe environment," said Mr. Hoyt. "She celebrates each student's unique gifts and encourages them to become the best possible version of the people God wants them to be. Thanks largely to Margie Williamson, Northwest Catholic High School has flourished in every way."

"I am delighted to have received this prestigious honor," Mrs. Williamson said. "As a product of Catholic schooling, it means a great deal to follow the excellent leaders who have made the system what it is today. I am very grateful that I was provided this education, and I hope that my enthusiasm for it is felt by all I meet."

A graduate of The College of New Rochelle, Mrs. Williamson earned her Master's degree from The Catholic University of America and her Sixth Year Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Connecticut. She has worked at Northwest Catholic since 1987, when she was hired as Vice Principal for Academics. She was named NWC Principal in 2000, and Principal/Chief Administrator in July 2009.

Mrs. Williamson is extremely active in organizations outside Northwest Catholic, as well. She has been honored by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) for her long-term commitment to girls' basketball, as well as her dedication and support of all CIAC athletic programs. She serves on the CIAC Board of Control and several other CIAC committees.

An active member of the Connecticut Association of Catholic Secondary School Presidents, Principals and Superintendents, Mrs. Williamson has just begun a two-year term as President of the group, a position she also held from 2006-08. In addition, she serves on several committees through the Office of Catholic Schools.

Most significantly, perhaps, Mrs. Williamson attends virtually every NWC academic, performing arts, and athletic activity; she calls herself the students' "biggest fan."

"Honorees for the award bring dedication, enthusiasm and passion to their role as administrators; they create a positive learning environment in their school, integrating best practices and welcoming diversity; they are faith-filled educators in the Catholic tradition as well as lifelong learners, making professional contributions to their school and to the Archdiocese," said Mr. Hoyt.