Clark family joins diocese in celebrating Catholic schools

July 19, 2023

Clark family

The Diocese of Des Moines will honor educators, administrators and volunteers for their exceptional service to Catholic education during the second annual Bishop’s Celebration of Catholic Schools on Aug. 26 at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines. 

All are invited to attend to congratulate those who will be honored and celebrate the life-changing effect of a faith-centered education, which has been offered in the Diocese for more than 150 years. 

Keynote speakers feature the Clark family. Dowling Catholic High School alumna Anne Nizzi Clark, daughter of Bob Nizzi, a former counselor and coach at Dowling Catholic High School,  and  her husband, Brent, chose St. Francis of Assisi and Dowling Catholic for their three children: Blake,  Caitlin, and Colin. 

Anne will share her experience with the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic schools as a student and as a parent. The Clark family will discuss how Catholic education helped position each for success in the classroom and beyond.

Three people were selected from 70 nominations to be honored for their impact at Catholic schools and their commitment to faith, academic excellence, and fostering a vibrant school community. They are:

• Administrator of the Year, Misty Hade, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Ankeny
• Teacher of the Year, Ann Levine, St. Malachy Catholic School in Creston.
• Volunteer of the Year, Katie Fitzgerald, St. Anthony Catholic School in Des Moines

“All of this year’s nominees are stellar examples of faith in action with a desire to promulgate the Catholic faith through strong, vibrant Catholic schools,” said Donna Bishop, superintendent of Schools. “While it was difficult to narrow the honorees down to three individuals, I believe the three chosen were the best of the best. We are blessed to have such amazing administrators, teachers and volunteers advocating on behalf of our Catholic schools.”

Honorary chairs of the second annual event are Tom Chapman, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference, and John George and Mary Goddard, of the Kremer Foundation. The foundation has awarded more than $80 million in tuition grants to Catholic elementary schools nationwide including several in the Des Moines Diocese.

Four couples are co-chairing the event. They are: Stephanie and Spencer Cox, of St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines; Tracy Deutmeyer and Matt Edwards, of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Ankeny; Sara and Dan Huegerich, of St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale; and Annie and Andrew Salgado, of Christ the King Parish in Des Moines.  

For tickets and more information, visit our website or call 515-237-5079.