Waldoch

presented

Athena

NUACS administrator

honored for leadership

By KEVIN SWEENEY

Journal Editor

NEW ULM -- New Ulm's 2001 Athena Award winner, Sr. Sharon Waldoch, is a collector of Santa Claus figures, and that fact led to her being roasted like a chestnut on a open fire at the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting and Athena Award banquet Thursday at the Holiday Inn.

Friends and colleagues of the New Ulm Area Catholic Schools elementary and middle school principal took turns giving reports on whether Sr. Sharon was "naughty or nice." The final verdict was a definite "nice," but not before a few good-hearted zingers were directed her way.

The first came from her own sister, Bonnie. "Sharon is a humble person, and she's very proud of that," she said. "I could tell you stories about Sharon for three hours, but they're all about blackmail. Since she's a nun and took a vow of poverty, there's no point."

Dave Schieffert, who retired this year as NUACS superintendent, said Waldoch is "a fashion bug." He recalled the first time he met her. He went into the office of the Rev. Jack Brunner, NUACS superintendent, in 1984 when she was being interviewed for the position of K-8 principal.

"There was this lady sitting there. I was looking for a nun. She was wearing a knee-length skirt and these high, zip-up boots. I thought, 'This is the first swingin' nun I've ever seen.'"

Schieffert also mentioned waldoch's propensity for throwing parties that feature big white cakes smothered with white frosting, and her ability to leave her home in Searles late for a meeting, step on the gas between Searles and New Ulm, and arrive at the meeting early.

"I've experienced her driving," he said. He took comfort in the fact that she had a St. Christopher medal on her front window, "But then I noticed that the medal was there, but St. Christopher was gone."

But Schieffert also talked about his respect for Waldoch's dedication to the school, to the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and the professionalism she brought to NUACS.

There were good comments as well. Virg Debban, a fellow alumnus of the Blandin Foundation Leadership Training and a teacher with District 88, said he admired Waldoch as an educator. He lauded her integrity and dedication to all children of the community, not just the Catholic school children.

"As a teacher, I set the bar high for myself," said Debban. "But after I met you, I knew the bar was set higher.

Waldoch serves on the board of PRO/Kinship for Kids, and Mary Ann Wonn, director of the program, spoke about her willingness to not only find mentors for children, but to be a mentor herself.

Waldoch accepted the award, the accolades and the roasting, with good humor. "This is really nice to happen to you before you're dead," she said.

She was numb and speechless when she first learned she was receiving the award, she said. "The speechlessness has worn off, the numbness has not." she said.

Waldoch said the award, considering what it represents and the kind of organizations that sponsor it -- the Chamber of Commerce and Jensen Motors -- make is an awesome and humbling experience to receive it.

"When I realized what the Athena Award represents -- women in leadership and advancing other women, in my position as an elementary school principal, it is not difficult to do that. I am surrounded by strong, powerful and dedicated women who make it easy to encourage them. I work with men and women who challenge and encourage me."

She said the many school systems in the community, organizations like the Chamber and other groups in the community that get together and work for stronger, healthier children, "make it easier to be who I am."

Waldoch mentioned the past recipients of the award, and the many walks of life they come from, "and I realize that no one way is the right way."

She thanked her family for their support, and all the teachers and secretaries and staff in the school because "they are the pedestal that support me" in receiving the award.