New President New Era

Following a national search for a permanent president, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta Joel Konzen surprised students and faculty alike at the April 2023 All-School Mass by announcing Aaron Parr ’06 as the next president of St. Pius X Catholic High School. Bishop Konzen’s announcement was met with cheers of approval and a standing ovation. A new era has begun at St. Pius X!

Katie Perez Parr, a 2007 graduate of St. Pius. My father-in-law, Santiago Perez, graduated from St. Pius in 1977. In 2011, I began working at St. Pius as a teacher and boys’ varsity basketball head coach. Prior to serving as Interim President in 2022-2023, I served as the school’s Enrollment Director.

What inspired you to go into education?

My teachers and coaches in high school. They invested in me and genuinely cared about me outside of the classroom. Their influence on me is hard to put into words. After I graduated from St. Pius and went to college, I felt called to go into education. I also loved history, and it seemed like a natural fit to teach.

What are you looking forward to most as our new president?

A joyous day! President Parr celebrates with students on the day Bishop Konzen announced him as the new St. Pius X president.

What is your educational background?

I attended St. Thomas More in Decatur from K-8. I matriculated from St. Pius X in 2006 and continued my studies at BirminghamSouthern College. I earned my BA in 2010 with a double major in History and Education. I went back to school in 2013 and received my Master’s in Administration from Concordia University Irvine. In January I am starting a graduate certification program in Catholic School Management through Villanova University.

Tell us about your connection to St. Pius X?

Growing up, I was either going to go to St. Pius or Marist for high school, as my family did not have a connection to any particular Atlanta Catholic school. As a kid I attended summer camps at St. Pius and started going to football and basketball games with my Dad. I fell in love with the atmosphere and spirit at the school. When I was in middle school I also met several Pius high schoolers who treated me so well. During 7th grade, I was invited to a basketball camp at Clemson University with the high school players. After that camp, I was hooked! I married

I am honored to be the president at St. Pius X, and I am most looking forward to leading our students and faculty into the future. I am a forward-thinking leader, and I can’t wait to work with our stakeholders on what our priorities will be as we look to make St. Pius a better school community for the next 10, 20, and 30 years.

How has St. Pius X changed since you were a student, and how is it the same?

Obviously, our campus looks much different than it did when I was in high school. We now have a baseball and softball field, more parking, and are building new facilities with the Ring the Bells Capital Campaign. However, the culture is still the same. We are still the same welcoming community that we were in 2002 when I started here. I love our family atmosphere.

What is your favorite memory of being a St. Pius X student?

My favorite memory at St. Pius was my entire senior year. Being a senior at Pius is special. You are treated like an adult and are expected to be a leader. I loved being the oldest at the school and bonding with the entire senior class.

What advice would you give to our young alumni?

Stay in touch with your friends from high school. Some of my closest friends from high school still hang out together to this day. We don’t see each other as much as we have families and jobs now, but whenever we do see each other, we have a great time together. I am so fortunate that my parents sent me to school here. The connections I have made will last a lifetime.