The Hampton Bays Hibernians have chosen Sister Kathryn Schlueter, CSJ, Principal of Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional Catholic School in Southampton, as the Grand Marshal of the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Sister Kathy was born in Brooklyn, and while she admits she doesn’t have “an ounce of Irish blood,” she is Catholic through and through. She began her education in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, attending St. Ephrem’s Elementary School. After her family moved to Merrick, she continued her studies at Sacred Heart Academy. Sister Kathy went on to earn her bachelor’s degree at Marywood College in Scranton, PA. In 1963, she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph and will be celebrating her golden jubilee in September of this year. She later earned a master’s degree in School Administration from Hofstra University.

Sister Kathy began her teaching career as a first- and fourth-grade teacher at St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Smithtown, where she taught from 1967 to 1971. She then became Dean of Students at Sacred Heart Academy, where she also taught music and drama.

In 1987, Sister Kathy became Principal of Our Lady of the Hamptons, where she marked her 25th anniversary in 2012. Under her leadership, enrollment has grown from 129 to 340 students. Twelve years ago, a second floor was added to the school, providing space for eight new classrooms, and this year a new gymnasium has been completed.

The school has achieved significant recognition under her guidance, including Middle States accreditation in both 2002 and 2012, as well as the prestigious “National Blue Ribbon of Excellence,” awarded to only 56 schools nationwide.

Sister Kathy is rightfully proud of the many accomplishments of her school, and the Hampton Bays Hibernians are equally proud to honor her as Grand Marshal of the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.