Camille DeLano has been selected as a new shared principal for St. Mary’s Visitation and St. Stanislaus Schools.

A former teacher at St. Stan’s, she most recently has been principal at St. Basil School in South Haven, but she still lives in Dorr. She succeeds Shannon Murphy.

The two schools search committee said in a joint announcement, “Mrs. DeLano has all the experience and capability necessary to lead both schools and to help our families and students, teachers and staff, to grow and thrive, spiritually and academically, and in mind, body, and soul. Mrs. DeLano has 27-plus years of experience in Catholic education, 25-plus years as a teacher, 16 of those at St. Stanislaus School, and seven years as a Catholic school principal at St. Basil School in South Haven.”

She earned bachelor of arts degree at Michigan State University, a bachelor of fine arts degree at the University of Georgia and her master’s degree in educational leadership at Western Michigan University.

She was raised right here within miles of both schools and has been a parishioner of St. Stanislaus most of her life. She remains living nearby with her husband, Brett DeLano, and enjoys time camping, visiting family, and her two Golden Retrievers.

She also has one step-daughter, Casey.

The joint statement said, “Mrs. DeLano will greatly enjoy being ‘back at home’ here with us and working with the parents, students, staff and parishioners of our parishes and schools.”

Both St. Stan’s and St. Mary’s have a rich tradition and heritage in northern Allegan County.

The joint statement continued, “We are grateful for the opportunity that has come to us to lose no time in developing and strengthening our beloved schools. We are also thankful for the dedication of all of our faculty, staff, parents, and parishioners now and through the many years of our history who have and do work so hard for the Catholic education of our beloved children.”

Ms. DeLano said, “It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I return ‘home’ and I am eager to collaborate with all members of our school community to continue the tradition of academic excellence for which our two schools are known.

I bring with me over 25 years of experience in education, with a passion for fostering a supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.”