Marketing coordinator looks to spread the word about U.P. Catholic schools
1/15/2010

By John Fee

With a passion for Catholic schools, and the “street cred” to back it up, Victoria LaFave is working to spread the good news about Catholic education in the Upper Peninsula.

“I’m here to promote how effective (the schools) are at building the character of students,” LaFave said. Schools across the diocese also provide a quality education allowing students to achieve excellent MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) scores, she added.

LaFave should know, she has two children, Luke and Lisette, in Catholic schools and is a 1986 graduate of Holy Name Catholic School. She graduated from Escanaba High School in 1990 and earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Northern Michigan University in 1994. LaFave is member of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parish in Escanaba.

As the new Catholic Schools Marketing Coordinator, LaFave is a part-time independent contractor working under the direction of Diocesan Schools Superintendent Mark Salisbury. However, she said she looks forward to working with the individual schools’ marketing committees and parents, because, “They know their schools,” she said.

With a major goal of increasing enrollment, LaFave said she would be available to help with individual school marketing plans, newsletters, web pages and promoting the schools in the media.

“I think sometimes we have too much humility,” LaFave said. “We need to communicate our successes.”

Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated Jan. 31 through Feb. 6. This year’s theme is “Dividends for Life” with an emphasis on faith, knowledge, discipline and morals.

“When you invest in your child’s tuition, it pays back an inordinate amount,” LaFave said. “The character of the child is the payoff.”

Although parents considering sending their children to Catholic schools may contact the local principal at any time for a visit, special open houses will be held during Catholic Schools Week. This is an opportunity for parents to learn more about the schools and see them in action at school and during weekday Masses.

“If someone is on the fence (about sending a child to Catholic school), Catholic Schools Week is the perfect time to visit,” LaFave said.

Families sending children to Catholic schools don’t have to be Catholic, and LaFave pointed out that the schools welcome students of all faiths. Currently students of a variety of faiths attend Catholic schools including non-Christian faiths.

However, faith and prayer are staples of Catholic education and an asset to the educational environment.

“I think having prayer in schools is more than a religious aspect,” LaFave said. “There’s a peace there and a sense of togetherness.”

As a freelance writer, LaFave has a story in the upcoming “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad” book to be published in April 2010. The story is based on the deep prayer life of her father.

For more information on Catholic schools, call the local principal or contact LaFave. She may be reached at 906-466-0070 or vrlafave@sbcglobal.net.

End.