Our Lady of Mount Carmel School recently hosted U.S. Rep. Susan W. Brooks as part of its 2015 National Blue Ribbon School celebrations.
OLMC was named a Blue Ribbon School in September by the U.S. Department of Education. Brooks met with the newly-elected student council and toured classrooms. She also answered about a dozen questions from students ranging from “What is the toughest part of your job?” to “How do you balance work and family?”
Her visit ended with a school assembly where she presented Principal Sister Mary Emily Knapp a copy of the Congressional Record. Brooks officially bestowed this designation in front of the House of Representatives on Oct. 26.
Brooks shared that her now-adult children attended Catholic schools. She said earning a Blue Ribbon recognition is a testament to the teachers, staff, students and parents, all of whom play a vital role in the success of OLMC. Her remarks to the students included “be nice to everyone,” “know that your hard work and dedication brought you to receiving this award” and “that you are a Christ-centered community and Jesus Christ is the center of your life.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.
OLMC School was named an Exemplary High Performing School, meaning that it is among Indiana’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests and student performance and high school graduation rates are among the highest levels. OLMC School is one of only 10 schools in Indiana to receive the National Blue Ribbon designation, and was recognized in a ceremony in early November in Washington, D.C.
