Cindy Trask was officially instituted as St. Catherine’s 12th Head of School with a Celebration of a New Ministry during the Upper School chapel Friday morning in Bannard Chapel. 

     “We welcome her with open arms and delight in the fact that we are honoring one of our own: a beloved teacher, a respected department head, and a friend to many who has returned to lead this community into its next chapter,” Board Chair Macon Hubard Clarkson ’96 said during the service.

     Trask was presented with gifts from all three divisions as well as faculty and staff and alumnae during the service. 

     Lower School presented a field of daisies painting made from individual thumbprints from every Lower School girl. Fourthies Ashlyn Schlobohm, Charlotte Birdsey, Eila Brady and Milan Wyatt gave her the painting. Middle School presented a student painting and notes of advice. The MS gift was given by eighth grade leadership council reps, Abi Rollins and Sophia Moore and Stella McCormick, who painted the piece. Senior Evie Wherry presented Trask with student art notecards and a picture frame with favorite places around campus on behalf of the Upper School. Trask was presented a School ring by the faculty and staff as given by Director of Academics Pontus Hiort. Board Vice-Chair Anne Kenny-Urban ’83 presented A Prayer Book and Hymnal on behalf of the alumnae. 

     The official Institution was led by The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Trask was presented by Clarkson and Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia President David Charlton.

     “The leader who we induct today is another great role model for us all,” Clarkson said during the service. “She’s a thoughtful listener and keen observer who exhibits a calm and quiet strength. She exudes an authenticity that is hard to come by in an age where the loudest voices and the flashiest displays receive the most attention, the greatest number of likes. For all her accomplishments, she is remarkably humble and prefers to elevate others and rejoice in community rather than to claim the spotlight for herself.”

     The service was attended by seniors and other Upper School students, faculty and staff with the rest of the Upper School students watching virtually. School Chaplain Rev. Becky McDaniel and St. Christopher's Headmaster Mason Lecky also took part in the service. The celebration continued Friday evening with Saints Family Fun.

Watch the Service