2017 - Adelaide Nicholson, Ed.D

Adelaide Nicholson, Ed.D, Principal, Saint Ann School, Nashville, TN, was chosen to receive the Mollie Gavigan award in 2017 because of her tireless work to bring the first middle school inclusive program to Middle TN, thus furthering Mollie's dream of making a Catholic education more accessible to those with IDD.

The program has received rave reviews from the parents of two students with Down syndrome and had a waiting list before it ever started. But Ms. Nicholson's efforts don't stop at Saint Ann School, as she continues to strive for more programs like this at more Catholic schools in Middle TN. Her passion for appreciating the value of each individual is contagious and her attitude and faith, unwaivering.