BEST WISHES TO SISTER MARY ANN FISCHER

When the Notre Dame Regional High School opened last fall at its new campus just west of Cape Girardeau, it had to be a matter of great pride for the school's principal, Sister Mary Ann Fischer. In a way, the new school is a capstone in her administrative career at the school, which she will be leaving soon to pursue other goals as a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Since becoming principal in 1988, Fischer has set high standards and lofty objectives for the school, whose enrollment has steadily grown to an expected 400 students this fall from 279 in 1989. The school's reputation for academic excellence as well as the variety of activities available to students has made it a choice for Roman Catholic families throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. More than that, the school also has drawn non-Catholic students whose parents place a high premium on quality.

After more than a decade of growth at the school, Fischer believes it is time to move on to other pursuits and let someone else guide Notre Dame into the next century. She plans to find ways to use her master's degree in religious education after a summer program in Japan.

Fischer's departure will be felt well beyond the walls of Notre Dame. Her many friends who have come to admire her focus and commitment wish her well in whatever lies ahead. Godspeed, Sister Mary Ann.