Nancy Kurtz, interim superintendent for secondary schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education. (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)

By Gina Christian • Posted October 12, 2022

A Catholic education professional is being honored by the archdiocesan high school at which she spent 17 years.

Nancy Kurtz, interim superintendent for secondary schools at the archdiocesan Office for Catholic Education, will receive the Spirit of Ryan Award from Archbishop Ryan High School (ARHS) in Philadelphia at an Oct. 16 breakfast banquet on the school’s campus.

The annual award highlights those who have exemplified the school’s values through their contributions, dedication, leadership or service to ARHS, the wider community, the church or society as a whole.

Recipients include faculty or staff members, business and community leaders, alumni, volunteers and donors.

For almost two decades, Kurtz had attended many Spirit of Ryan Award ceremonies, but never suspected she would one day be called to the podium to receive one.

“I was really, really surprised,” she said, adding that seeing others get the nod of approval always gave her “a great sense of pride” in those “who had made a real impact on the school.”

[hotblock]

After almost two decades at ARHS, Kurtz now oversees 15 archdiocesan high schools, representing more than 10,230 students from 261 zip codes among three states.

Kurtz described ARHS as “a community-based school that reaches well beyond its local community,” drawing students “from all over the greater Philadelphia area.”

Catholic education itself is “on an upswing,” she said, especially as many schools throughout the nation struggled to sustain consistency amid COVID-19.

“The value of Catholic education was always there, but the pandemic really highlighted it,” said Kurtz. “We play a role in the community as leaders in educating the students of the five-county area.”

Although reluctant to call attention to herself, Kurtz admitted her family was “very proud” of her for being named a Spirit of Ryan awardee.

On learning the date of the ceremony, however, they did have one concern, she said.

“They asked if the Eagles were playing then,” laughed Kurtz.