The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) announced the recipients of the NCEA 2025 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards (LLP) including New Orleans area educator Michael Arvites, M. Ed. ’04 of Holy Cross School.
Mr. Arvites is one of nine educators throughout the U.S. and Nicaragua who is recognized as a faith-filled servant leader in Catholic school communities. He will be formally honored with his fellow recipients on April 21, 2025, at the start of the NCEA 2025 Convention in Orlando, FL, April 22 – 24, 2025. Mr. John Serio, Assistant to the President for School Operations praised this recognition stating, “The Holy Cross community is extremely proud that Mr. Arvites has been selected to receive the Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award from the NCEA. This is a fitting recognition for the distinguished Holy Cross educator. We all share the pride of having Mr. Arvites as a part of our Holy Cross family.”
Having graduated from Holy Cross School in 2004, Mr. Arvites is serving in his 16th year as a social studies teacher and uses the school’s mission, and the foundation provided to him, to focus on students becoming the best version of themselves by educating the hearts and minds of each. He has served as department chair for 10 years and is co-director of the Brother James McDonell C.S.C Scholars Program. During his professional career at Holy Cross, Mr. Arvites established an AP Program in the Social Studies Department, expanded elective choices, created a WWII course for seniors, and piloted a travel program that most recently included a trip over Thanksgiving break for students to get a first-hand experience of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland.
In February 2024, Mr. Arvites received the WVUE Fox 8’s Golden Apple Award for his innovative and engaging teaching methods and outstanding dedication to his students and community. He is a lifelong learner, and passionate about exploring new technology and teaching methods professionally and personally.
Holy Cross School is proud to recognize this dedicated educator for his continued service to the young men of our community and Catholic education.
For more information on The National Catholic Educational Association, visit www.NCEA.org.
Holy Cross School is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school founded in 1849 by the Congregation of Holy Cross to educate young men in the greater New Orleans community. Holy Cross is fully approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education and accredited by the Cognia organization as a college preparatory school for boys in grades PK–12.
Holy Cross School admits students of any race, color, national, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Holy Cross School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.