This semester, Bishop Noll has seen a number of changes. Change can occur for a number of reasons: Sometimes it occurs to improve something, and sometimes it occurs because of opportunity. American author Tony Robins said, “Life is a gift, and it offers us the privelage, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming something more.”
One such change occurred at Noll because of opportunity. Lorenza Jara-Pastrick, Noll alumni and now former teacher, left her blue and gold clad alma mater to take on an administrative position at Noll feeder school, St. Casmir in Hammond.
“Mrs. McCoy-Cejka informed me of this opportunity and took advantage of it,” said Pastrick, now principal of St. Casmir.
As a person, Pastrick has always felt the need for a challenge. At Noll, she felt she has taken on many challenges through teaching, coaching and being a part of the admissions team, but felt there were no new challenges being offered. In her new position at St. Casmir, she has begun her next challenge.
“I was kind of tossed in finding the unfinished buisness [at St. Casmir],” Pastrick said. “That’s the difficult part at the moment. The transition is a bit overwhelming as well, considering I’m a new mom, a new principal, and I’m only 28!”
Pastrick also said the the word ‘full’ doesn’t even begin to explain what ‘full’ means.
“When I come to work, I work. when I’m at home, I’m all Maya’s. Her presence is what motivates me  to be a good administrator. I do what I do because of her, and I have always believed that God never gives me more than I can handle,” she said.
According to Pastrick, it is the overwhelming factor that makes this new phase in her life fun.
“I’m good at adapting and figuring things out. I’ve veen able to use what I learned from being a teacher in my new rold as an administrator.
As much as she is enjoying her new job, Pastrick misses the Noll community, specifically the teachers, students and parents who have always been so kind and supportive of her.
She added, “I’ll also miss how you could make fun of high school students; you can’t really do that with younger children because they’ll cry!”
As for the girls soccer team, Pastrick is still trying to figure things out. Being a new principal and a new mom isn’t the easiest task, but she has been offered help if she returns to coaching.