MANY OF OUR Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orange welcomed new principals this year. Orange County Catholic thought it would be fun to get to know our new fearless leaders by asking them a few pressing questions:
JENNIFER JUKIC/OUR LADY OF FATIMA ACADEMY, SAN CLEMENTE
Where did you grow up? Sierra Madre, CA
How long have you been in the education field? Started teaching in 1999 but started volunteering as a teen for my sister’s special education classroom and my elementary school’s summer program.
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? I am most excited to transform something that is good into something that is not great, but fabulous! I have added an arts and music program that consists of a Kiln and also musical instruments. I have also adopted some new curriculum to enhance our academics and clean up the campus to show the real beauty it is in the gorgeous city of San Clemente.
What is your favorite place on earth? Any beach with my family
What is your favorite quote? “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Albert Einstein
CLAUDIA DANZER/ST. BARBARA CATHOLIC SCHOOL, SANTA ANA
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Los Angeles, where I attended Catholic schools and developed a strong foundation in my faith, education and community values. When I was 15, my family moved to Huntington Beach, where we’ve continued to build our lives and create lasting memories.
How long have you been in the education field? I’ve dedicated 26 years to the
field of education. Over the decades, I’ve had the privilege of guiding and inspiring students through various stages of their academic journeys.
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year?
As the new school year begins, I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to uncover and nurture the unique potential within each student at St. Barbara School. My top goal is to foster an environment where every student feels empowered to achieve their best and grow spiritually, academically, and personally.
What is your favorite place on earth? My favorite place on earth is at home with my family. There’s no greater joy than spending quality time with loved ones, sharing in the everyday moments that make life special.
What is your favorite quote? My favorite quote is, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This quote deeply resonates with me because it inspires personal responsibility and accountability. It serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful change starts with our own actions and choices, encouraging each of us to lead by example and actively contribute to creating the world we envision.
CLAUDIA DANZER, PRINCIPAL OF ST. BARBARA CATHOLIC SCHOOL, SANTA ANA.
BRETT MINTER/SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL, HUNTINGTON BEACH
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Long Beach, CA. I went to St. Joseph Elementary School and St. Anthony High School.
How long have you been in the education field? I’ve spent 25 years in the education field (St. Pius V Elementary School, St. Anthony High School, St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy, and Our Lady of Fatima Academy)
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? Emerging myself in the SSJ School and Church community to help build relationships and partnerships that will help grow the overall church and school community.
What is your favorite place on earth? On a road trip with my wife; On a golf course with my brothers and friends; In a classroom watching the students learn a new skill or learning about God while having an enjoyable time in class.
What is your favorite quote? “God will never give you anything you cannot handle.” My dad told me this when I was in a tough position in my life.
BRETT MINTER, PRINCIPAL OF STS. SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL, HUNTINGTON BEACH.
BRIDGET RONAN/ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY, ANAHEIM
Where did you grow up? Whittier, CA (went to St. Gregory the Great and St. Paul High School)
How long have you been in the education field? I am starting my 17th year (14 years as a teacher and three in administration)
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? I want to continue to grow in servant leadership. I love watching how our boys grow in confidence and leadership throughout the year.
What is your favorite place on earth? Anywhere my family is gathered and the Grotto at the University of Notre Dame
What is your favorite quote? “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring,” by St. Catherine of Siena.
BRIDGET RONAN, HEAD OF SCHOOL AT ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY, ANAHEIM.
ELAINA STOKES (UPPER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL)/ST. JUNIPERO SERRA CATHOLIC SCHOOL, RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Where did you grow up? Mission Viejo, Orange County, CA
How long have you been in the education field? Twenty-five years
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? Establish strong, positive relationships with teachers, students, parents and the community. Listening to their concerns and feedback is crucial for creating a supportive environment.
What is your favorite place on earth? Lake Tahoe and Maui, Hawaii
What is your favorite quote? “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein
DR. LAURA ISMERIO (INTERIM PRINCIPAL)/OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL, NEWPORT BEACH
Where did you grow up? I grew up in the San Fernando Valley
How long have you been in the education field? I’ve been in education for 22 years.
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? I am most excited to have parents participate in our new school initiatives like Love and Logic and Differentiation. We want to make sure that as a school community we are practicing our Catholic faith by treating all our students with respect and dignity and are helping every student grow and be successful academically.
What is your favorite place on earth? All Beaches in Mexico but Cancun is the most beautiful of all.
What is your favorite quote? Ad maiorem Dei gloriam, AMDG – “Everything we do is for the Greater Glory of God.”
DR. LAURA ISMERIO, INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL, NEWPORT BEACH.
DR. RICHARD YOON/ ST. BONAVENTURE SCHOOL, HUNTINGTON BEACH
Where did you grow up? Cerritos, CA
How long have you been in the education
field? Thirty-three years What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? I am excited to meet the teachers, students and families. My main objectives are to ensure that there is continued growth in all facets of the school including Faith Formation, Catholic Identity and Academic Excellence.
What is your favorite place on earth? The beach or my house. St. Bonaventure is close to the beach so it’s becoming my home.
What is your favorite quote? “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)
DR. RICHARD YOON, PRINCIPAL OF ST. BONAVENTURE SCHOOL, HUNTINGTON BEACH.
JOSEPHINE PANZA (INTERIM PRINCIPAL)/ ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL, YORBA LINDA
Where did you grow up? Claremont, CA.
How long have you been in the education field? Twenty-two years.
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? My top priority is to foster a positive and supportive school environment where the entire SFA community feels valued and
motivated to reach their goals.
What is your favorite place on earth? Castellamare del Golfo, Sicily. This is my parents’ hometown, and it is absolutely breathtaking.
What is your favorite quote? “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
JOSEPHINE PANZA, INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL, YORBA LINDA
CHRIS MCGUINESS/ST. HEDWIG, LOS ALAMITOS
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Long Beach, attending St. Barnabas Elementary School and St. Anthony High School.
How long have you been in the education field? This is my 28th year in education. Prior to that I spent four years working at a parish as a youth minister and Confirmation coordinator.
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? I have always admired St. Hedwig school for the community engagement, commitment to service, leadership development and close-knit families. In my years working at St. Anthony High School, I found the St. Hedwig graduates to be the ones who always took on leadership roles and were first to volunteer when a service project came up. This year, I want to ensure that the great legacy of graduating committed Christians passionate about the world around them continues and that the families continue to remain engaged in the educational process. The strength of this school is in the community that surrounds and supports it, beginning with our parents.
What is your favorite place on earth? I have not travelled much, but I will say my favorite places are scuba diving in a kelp forest, sitting along a stream or river, the grotto at the University of Notre Dame and wherever I can spend quality time with my wife and two children. If they are there, it is my favorite place.
What is your favorite quote? “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
CHRIS MCGUINESS, PRINCIPAL OF ST. HEDWIG, LOS ALAMITOS.
SUZANNE EDWARDS/ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH SCHOOL, DANA POINT
Where did you grow up? Laguna Niguel, CA.
How long have you been in the education
field? Twenty-three years.
What are you most excited about/top goal as you begin the new school year? I am most excited to embrace the amazing community that St. Edward the Confessor Parish School is and get to know them and celebrate them and all their God given talents.
What is your favorite place on earth? My favorite place on earth is being at the beach with my family.
What is your favorite quote? “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)