As Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School enters its 17th year of Dominican Catholic education in Potomac Shores, the students and faculty look forward to another year of their bioethics curriculum, rigorous academic, athletic, and fine arts programs, and daily opportunities to grow in the life of faith.
Though these things will not change, it is fitting that the school has adopted the Diocesan Golden Jubilee theme, “Behold, I make all things new” as its motto for the 2024-25 school year. Its meaning is particularly poignant as Dominican Sister Mary Veronica Keller concludes an eight-year run as head of school. Sister Mary Veronica was appointed director of education and a general official for the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation.
In her letter to the faculty, she noted, “One of the great things about having the Nashville Dominicans lead our beautiful school is the Dominican tradition and charism. Regardless of which sister is in the leadership role, we can be assured of the traditions and charism of the Nashville Dominicans.”
Sister Mary Veronica noted that it is now time for the school to continue growing in a new way, with Dominican Sister Mary Grace Watson taking the helm as the school’s third lead administrator.
Sister Mary Grace is no stranger, having served as assistant principal of mission 2011-14. She has been a member of the Nashville Dominicans for nearly 25 years and most recently was principal of St. James Catholic School in Elizabethtown, Ky. Prior to serving there, she was dean of the School of Education at Aquinas College, Nashville, Tenn., and principal of St. Patrick School in McEwen, Tenn. Sister Mary Grace has taught in Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia and Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies from Aquinas College, Nashville, Tenn.; a master’s in educational leadership from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn.; and a master’s in theology and Christian ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.
To celebrate the transitions of both sisters, the school held a spirit night at Brother’s Encore in Montclair last month. In lieu of gifts, many families and friends made donations to the school in her honor. As Sister Mary Grace settles into her new position, she said she is looking forward to getting to know the current Saint John Paul the Great community and to build on the strong foundation laid before her.
There are two upcoming opportunities for the public to meet Sister Mary Grace: the JP Golf Tournament Sept. 19 and the fall open house Nov. 3.
Sister Mary Grace will welcome 200 new students, including one of the school’s largest freshman classes of approximately 190 students, and several transfer students, all under the mission of the ethical formation of young people in the pursuit of truth.
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