By Angela Pometto
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/20/04)

"I want the kids to know we all have to do hard things in life," said Margeurite Scafati, vice principal of Bishop Ireton High School. After 15 years at this position, Scafati is taking a leave of absence. She hopes to come back to Ireton to volunteer in the future, but her health, she realizes, may keep her from working full-time again. Scafati has breast cancer.

"I want to get the message across to the kids," she said. Scafati is not scared to let people know about her condition. "If their parents or someone gets cancer, they’ll know it’s not a death sentence."

"She has handled her illness with great dignity and confidence," said Oblate Father Matthew Hillyard, principal of Ireton. "She comes to daily Mass and is hopeful, faith-filled and an optimistic person. She gives great strength to those around her."

Scafati did admit that this year has been difficult for her, but the entire Ireton community has been supportive and understanding. Keeping busy with the kids has helped her, to some extent, but she is ready for a long rest.

Scafati received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Virginia. She has also received her administrative certification for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Before Ireton, Scafati worked at St. Mary’s Academy in Alexandria, an all-girls high school. For eight years she was the school’s director of guidance before becoming principal. She held that position three years before the school closed in 1989. She then came to Bishop Ireton when it was still an all-male school. The school made the transition to co-ed a year after Scafati arrived. She remembers clearly the day they went co-ed. "That first day was significant," she said.

"Over the years I have witnessed Marguerite to be a highly motivated administrator who has taken advantage of opportunities available to stay abreast of curriculum issues," said Tim McNiff, superintendent of schools for the diocese. "She has added a wealth of knowledge to the Bishop Ireton school community."

At Ireton, she has been director and founder of the Student Academic Council that began 10 years ago. The group sponsors a yearly talent show and provides doughnuts to students before exams. One of their biggest accomplishments was to create an honor code on ethical behavior in academics that requires students to report violations, such as cheating or plagiarism. It is written on all test papers to encourage students to act with honor.

As vice principal, Scafati worked closely with the Oblate priests who have served as principal over the years. She has worked with Father Hillyard, Oblate Father Kevin Nadolski, who was principal when she was diagnosed, and Oblate Father William Metzger. They collaborated on curriculum issues, student and faculty problems, and academic programs.

"I feel very fortunate to work with three wonderful people as principals — not only professionally, but spiritually," she said. "I’ve learned so much from them."

"She is professional, caring, hard-working and dedicated," said Father Hillyard. "She will be sorely missed. She works so well with people and is so attentive to the students. She has been a great help to me and a good friend."

One of Scafati’s fondest memories happened a year ago when an anonymous donation was given to the school to dedicate a room to Father Metzger and Pete LeFevre, a past vice principal for student services. Scafati attended the dedication Mass with her family and was shocked to hear her name as the third person honored.

"It was incredibly moving and overwhelming," she said. "It was a total surprise." A plaque with their three pictures now hangs outside the math room as a permanent reminder of Scafati’s dedication and impact on the school. She is quick to deflect credit and instead praises the administration, faculty and student body.

"We have great kids at Bishop Ireton," she said. "These are the future leaders."