ARTICLES

Office of Catholic Schools appoints two officials

Two longtime educators in the Diocese of Richmond have been named to important posts in the diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools.

Francine “Frankie” Conway, former principal of Peninsula Catholic High School in Newport News who had been serving most recently as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in the diocesan office, has been named Superintendent of Schools.

She succeeds John Elcesser, former Superintendent, who has taken a new position in Indiana.

Miriam Cotton, who has been principal of Christ the King School in Norfolk since 2000, will succeed Mrs. Conway as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

Mrs. Conway, who came to the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools last August, had spent 16 years at Peninsula Catholic. She came there first in 1991 as a teacher and was made dean of discipline in 1993. She later became assistant principal and then principal.

“I also taught all levels of religion from the 8th through the 12th grade at Peninsula Catholic,” she told The Catholic Virginian.

Mrs. Conway and her husband, Chris, are members of St. Joseph’s parish, Hampton.

Ms. Cotton, a former member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, was a member of that community when she was principal of St. Gregory the Great School in Virginia Beach from 1988 to 1995. St. Gregory’s, with an enrollment of 650 students, is the largest school in the Diocese of Richmond.

She later served in the diocese as principal of St. Joseph’s School in Petersburg from 1997 to 2000.

Ms. Cotton has a B.A. in elementary education from Immaculata College and a Master’s in education from Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J.

“I believe strongly that Catholic schools are the beacons of hope in our society in providing spiritually sound faith formation and academically challenging programs that prepare our young people to become respecful and responsible leaders for our Church and country,” Ms. Cotton said.

“It is an honor and privilege to be a Catholic educator in the Diocese of Richmond.”

John Langlois, a Catholic lay leader who heads up Tele-Video Productions in Virginia Beach, had high praise for Ms. Cotton.

“She exemplifies Christ’s spirit without words,” he said. “Her actions speak much louder than her words.”

Ms. Cotton is a member of Prince of Peace parish, Chesapeake.

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