At St. Paul, our staff is outstanding! Our teachers are highly qualified, with many years of experience, and this reflects in their work in and out of the classroom. Take a look at some of what our teachers have accomplished.
The purpose of the Golden Apple Award is to honor outstanding individuals who devote their lives to teaching in Catholic schools.
2022 Nominees for the Golden Apple Award are Chris Banko, Barb Puperi, and Max McQueen.
Patti Muffet and Kate Samolczyk
Patti Muffet and Kate Samolczyk are two of the six Diocesan Golden Apple winners for the 2021-22 school year
Lisa Corcoran
Lisa Corcoran was a Golden Apple nominee in 2022 and 2021
Amie Hale
Amie Hale, former SPS Principal, was a Golden Apple nominee in 2021
Past Winners
Susan Cramer, 2000
Melinda Dragomier, 2011
Joni Elson, 2017
Ann Fausnight, 2002
Mark Moorhead, 2008
Natalie Murphy, 2012
About the Golden Apple Award
Through the generosity and kindness of the Donahue Family Foundation, the Golden Apple Award, already established in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, has been extended to the Diocese of Youngstown to honor outstanding individuals who devote their lives to teaching in Catholic schools. The diocese recognizes and deeply appreciates the unique charge these teachers and principals have to the development of each student. In the words of Saint John Paul II, “...teachers and educators fulfill a specific Christian vocation and share an equally specific participation in the mission of the Church, to the extent that ‘it depends chiefly on them whether the Catholic school achieves its purpose,” (CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM, #19, 1998).
In light of the valuable contribution made by Catholic school teachers and principals to the Church and society in general, the diocese welcomes this opportunity to express its appreciation through the Golden Apple Award program. The Golden Apple Award program, in the Diocese of Youngstown, follows the intent and general procedures established by the Donahue Family Foundation.
The Golden Apple Award is given to a total of six teachers; four elementary teachers and two high school teachers. The candidate must be a practicing Catholic, full-time teacher/principal, and have completed a minimum of three full years as a teacher in the elementary or secondary school at which he/she is currently employed.
Other Accomplishments
Amy Waller
Amy Waller was named the Chamber Commerce Teacher of the Month in May 2022