Bishop Noll Institute Hires Alumna Lorenza Jara Pastrick as Principal

Lorenza-Jara-PastrickBishop Noll Institute alumna Lorenza Jara Pastrick has been chosen as the high school’s new principal, President Paul Mullaney announced today.

A 2001 BNI graduate, Pastrick is a former Noll teacher, coach and admissions coordinator who has spent the past four-and-a-half years as principal at St. Casimir School in North Hammond. In returning to Noll, she succeeds Craig Stafford, who resigned to become the principal at New Buffalo High School in Michigan.

“We are delighted that Lorenza is coming home to BNI to lead our academic program and curricular initiatives,” Mullaney said. “Lorenza has such a passion for her faith, for her family and for Catholic education. Her boundless energy is one of her staples, and the fruits of that energy are visible in the performances of those under her leadership.

“Lorenza is student-focused and results-driven, and I know she will push all of us to be our best at Bishop Noll.”

An Indiana University graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, Pastrick was recommended for the position by BNI’s principal search committee. That recommendation was accepted by Mullaney and approved by the Most Rev. Donald J. Hying, bishop of the Diocese of Gary.

Pastrick is leaving an A-rated school in St. Casimir to take the helm at an A-rated high school that also has been recognized as a Four Star School two of the past three years by the Indiana Dept. of Education.

“Bishop Noll is a great school,” she said. “I am proud to have the opportunity to lead a school that has so many accomplishments throughout its 95-year history. I look forward to continuing its STEM program, and advancing it to include religion and the arts as northwest Indiana’s only STREAM school.

“I also look forward to working closely with staff to continually improve the education we offer the students at BNI.”

Pastrick said she fondly remembers the many lessons learned as a student at Bishop Noll.

“No lesson was more important than building a strong relationship with Christ, my Lord,” Pastrick said. “I hope to remind students that a relationship with Christ is not all that different than one with a friend; it’s important to check in and chat regularly.”

She said leaving St. Casimir School will be difficult.

“It is a great community to serve and a wonderful family environment in which to work,” Pastrick said. “The students there are great, and I can’t wait to one day reunite with them as they go into high school as (BNI) Warriors.”

Pastrick and her husband, Michael, also a BNI alumnus, reside in Munster with their two children.