St. Benedict's hires new principal

The principal at Trinity Catholic School in Protivin, Dana Spry-Holkesvik, has been hired as principal at St. Benedict's School in Decorah starting this fall.  Spry-Holkesvik will replace Ruth Palmer, who is retiring as principal.

Spry-Holkesvik is a 1992 North Winneshiek graduate who grew up in Burr Oak.  She graduated from Upper Iowa University with a degree in Elementary Education.  She also has endorsements in early childhood and reading. 

She taught for two years at St. Francis de Sales in Ossian in the 5th grade classroom teaching Social Studies, Guidance and Math, as well as the 3rd-8th TAG program, coached Junior High volleyball those two years for South Winneshiek Middle School, and served as the student organization sponsor at De Sales.

After that she taught for five years at St. Benedict's, four in 2nd grade and one year teaching 6th-7th grade language arts and reading, as well as the TAG program. 

She earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership through Drake University while teaching at St. Benedict's.  Eight years ago she was hired as principal at Trinity Catholic School in Protivin.