By Lyndy Berryhill

NATCHEZ — After conducting a national search, Cathedral School has selected a new principal who will start leading the school in July.

Norman Yvon will begin his duties as principal July 1, 2017. He will succeed 14-year veteran administrator Pat Sanguinetti.

“I hope to bring my experience of 30 years as an educator to help the school continue its excellence,” Yvon said.

Originally from Massachusetts, Yvon earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Anna Maria College and his master’s degree in educational computing from Lesley College. Yvon also earned a certificate in advanced studies in school leadership from Harvard University.

Yvon currently serves as superintendent of the Douglas Public School District in Massachusetts. Previously, he served as principal for Clara Barton Elementary School and Alfred M. Chaffee Elementary School, both located in Massachusetts. He has been a director of technology usage in classrooms.

Although Yvon and his family are looking forward to his new position, the job was not what initially drew them to the area. After graduating college in 2015, Yvon’s only daughter, Katelynn, moved to Natchez to work with Yvon’s cousin Kevin Brodeur at Brodeur Gallery.

As a life-long Catholic and life-long educator, Yvon said he is thrilled to be moving to Natchez soon.

“We fell in love with the community,” Yvon said of their first visit. “My family and I look forward to becoming a part of the community.”

Yvon was identified him as serious candidate from the beginning, St. Mary Basilica pastor the Rev. David O’Connor said.

The search took nearly five months, but the choice was among three finalists. An eight-member committee, comprised of teachers, administrators, O’Connor and others, reviewed Yvon and the remaining candidates.

O’Connor said Yvon’s administration and leadership experience made him stand out from the pool of applicants.

“We thought (Yvon) better fit our needs,” O’Connor said. “We feel very blessed that we had that kind of choice.”

O’Connor said he believes Yvon will be able to build on Cathedral’s strong academic foundation, a legacy that current principal Pat Sanguinetti helped create.

Sanguinetti will leave Cathedral with an enduring legacy to the school and a dedication to refining the academic atmosphere of the school, O’Connor said.

“I regret that (Sanguinetti) is moving on, but I appreciate his initiative,” O’Connor said.

After Sanguinetti hands the reins over to Yvon on the last day of June, he said he would probably start looking for another principal position at a different school. He said he is waiting for God to direct his path and tell him where to go.

“Being that I’m 55 years old and I’ve been here half of my life, it’s been very rewarding,” Sanguinetti said. “I was very fortunate to come back and be at my alma mater.”

Sanguinetti has strong family ties to Cathedral.

He graduated from Cathedral School in 1979. Both of Sanguinetti’s parents and all eight of his siblings are Cathedral alumni. Sanguinetti has spent more than 20 years as an administrator and the last 14 as Cathedral’s principal.

“I’ll continue to do what I have been doing,” Sanguinetti said.

As for Yvon, Sanguinetti said he thinks Yvon will perform well for the school.

“I think he is going to be very good,” Sanguinetti said.