Aránzazu Ascunce is the new principal of St. Ambrose School in Annandale, the diocese’s only dual-language school. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English literature from Duke University in North Carolina, Ascunce worked for Univision, NBC and a public relations firm in Washington. She subsequently earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in Spanish language and literature from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She earned a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Notre Dame this summer. She has taught in colleges and high schools in the U.S. and in Spain. She served as an assistant principal at Blessed Sacrament School in Alexandria and as principal at St. Luke School in McLean.
Malia Busekrus, new principal of St. Rita School in Alexandria, earned a bachelor’s from University of Hawaii, and is working toward a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Marymount University in Arlington. Busekrus taught for 20 years in both public and private schools in Hawaii as well as St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington. She also was assistant principal at St. Rita’s last year.
Mimi Calogero, new principal of St. Louis School in Alexandria, earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Radford University in Virginia, and two master’s degrees in education, both from Marymount University. She is starting her 16th year at St. Louis, having served as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and now as principal.
Anne Ryan Craig, new principal of St. Luke School in McLean, has been working in education for more than 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from Sweet Briar College in Virginia and a Master of Education in administration and supervision from Marymount University. She began working for the diocese in 2013 by founding the inaugural preschool program at St. Luke’s, where she continues to serve. Craig has been assistant principal since 2021.
Anne Dyke, new principal of Holy Spirit School in Annandale, earned her bachelor’s from Georgetown University in Washington. She earned master’s degrees from Scranton University in Pennsylvania and Marymount University. She served at St. Louis School for 10 years, the past five years as principal.
Natalie Evans, new principal of Our Lady of Hope School in Potomac Falls, has 25 years of experience in Catholic education. Originally from Florida, she began her career in the Diocese of St. Petersburg as a high school teacher. After several years, Evans made the switch to middle school and part-time administration. Upon moving to the Washington metro area, she transitioned fully into administration and served for the past 10 years as the assistant principal at Holy Spirit School in Annandale.
Natia Meehan, new principal at St. Catherine of Siena’s parish school, Siena Academy, in Great Falls. Siena is the only diocesan Montessori school in the Arlington diocese. Meehan holds a master’s degree in education from Loyola University and a bachelor’s in theology from Christendom College in Front Royal. She has spent 35 years teaching inside Montessori classrooms and Atria. Meehan is a certified Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechist at all three levels for ages 3-12 and she co-leads catechesis formation courses nationally. She has been a member of the Siena Academy staff since 2007, serving as an elementary and primary catechist, primary directress and parent educator.
Dominican Sister Mary Grace Watson, new head of school for Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Potomac Shores, has 22 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator. She earned a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tenn., a master’s in educational administration from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, and a master’s in theology and Christian ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. After nine years of teaching at the elementary level in Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia and Virginia, she served as an assistant principal at Saint John Paul the Great, 2011-14. During the past 10 years, she served as a principal of elementary schools in Tennessee and Kentucky, and the dean of the school of education at Aquinas College in Nashville.
