According to the history book put out by the church in 2008, "Sr. Mary Ann Schmitz became the principal of St Patrick School in 1963. Sr. Mary Ann was the first woman principal in Washington. At the beginning of her assignment, Sister served as both principal and eighth-grade teacher simultaneously. Throughout her forty years as principal, her main concerns were always of the faith, safety, and well-being of the children. Her heart was the school, and it was her life. She was a visible presence at all athletic events held at the school and always boarded the bus to pray before it departed."