The Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy has appointed two seasoned principals to leadership positions. Lou Ann Melino, a veteran principal of Catholic schools for seven years, has been named principal at the Mattapan Square Campus. She previously served at both St. Benedict Little Flower School in Somerville and St. Joseph School in Salem. Prior to that, she was a classroom teacher in second grade and grades 6 – 8. She received her B.S. from Salem State College, and her master’s in school administration from Emmanuel College. Robert Penta, a principal in the Arlington public school system for fifteen years and in Gloucester for eight years, will be principal of the Dorchester Central Campus. Penta graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in elementary education and received his Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and his C.A.E.S in Educational Administration from Boston College.

“The Academy is thrilled that Mr. Penta and Mrs. Melino will be joining our community this year,” said Mary Russo, Regional Director of Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy. “The talents of these two professionals will certainly add to the Academy’s continued excellence. We welcome our two newest administrators and looks forward to a successful school year with an outstanding leadership team in place at all five campuses!”