Archbishop’s Dinner for Education raises more than $400,000

Nearly 1,000 people celebrated Catholic education and helped raise more than $400,000 for scholarships Sept. 29 at the 39th annual Archbishop’s Dinner for Education at the Embassy Suites in La Vista.

Eight educators also were honored for their commitment and service to Catholic education. That recognition included a $5,000 award to each honoree.

"This annual dinner is an opportunity to honor the outstanding Catholic educators and to give thanks for so many more who work alongside them," said Archbishop George J. Lucas. "The tremendous support for this event means that the blessing of a Catholic education will now be available to many more families."

Money raised is given to the Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha to help provide scholarships for low-income families.

Honored as administrators of the year were Jay Dunlap of Madonna School in Omaha and Don Blackbird of St. Augustine Indian Mission in Winnebago.

Educators of the year for elementary schools were Lisa Benson of St. Matthew the Evangelist School in Bellevue and Amy Sokol of St. Anthony School in Columbus, and for high schools, Sharon Genoways of Marian High School in Omaha and Mary Jo Kampschneider of Guardian Angels Central Catholic in West Point.

Educators of the year for special education and inner city, and Maginn Family Foundation honorees, were Mary Fisher of Sacred Heart School and Colleen Mertz of Holy Name School, both in Omaha.