Judge Memorial is a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School

Only Utah School to be a Four-Time Recipient

On November 5, 2021, Ms. Aba Kumi, Director of the U.S. Department of Education and National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, recognized Judge Memorial as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School. At this year’s annual awards ceremony in Washington D.C., Judge Principal Patrick Lambert ‘97, Judge Vice Principal Louise Pezel Hendrickson ‘83 and Utah Catholic Schools Superintendent Mark Longe accepted one of the nation’s most prestigious academic awards.

When U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 2021 National Blue Ribbon School recipients it marked just the second time since 1998 that a Utah high school has received the award since Judge Memorial last earned Blue Ribbon status in 1998.

“We are thrilled to be honored as a National Blue Ribbon School for the fourth time,” said Principal Lambert. “It is especially meaningful coming during our centennial as we celebrate 100 years of excellence while continuing to innovate through the challenges of the global pandemic.”

The distinction positions Judge Memorial as Utah’s only four-time Blue Ribbon winner and the only high school in the state to earn the honor more than once. Since National Blue Ribbon Schools launched in 1982, Judge has also earned the recognition in 1984, 1989 and 1998.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon School Award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. When a National Blue Ribbon School flag graces a school entry or flies overhead it is a nationally recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

“Thank you all a million times for the powerful voices that you create in my children,” Judge parent Robin Harmston recently wrote to faculty. “I can never express how grateful I am for the time and passion that you put in and for being at Judge.” Despite the perils and unpredictability of the pandemic, Judge remains one of the only high schools in Utah not forced to go fully virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic. Devoted faculty and counselors

Above Picture: Utah Catholic Schools Superintendent Mark Longe, Director of the U.S. Department of Education Aba Kumi, Judge Principal Patrick Lambert ‘97, and Judge Vice Principal Louise Hendrickson ‘83 at the annual awards ceremony in Washington D.C. on November 5, 2021.