As Catholic schools across the Diocese of Madison prepare to open their doors for the upcoming academic year, four communities are preparing to welcome new leadership. 

Gena Horsfield at St. Rose of Lima School in Cuba City, Danielle Hruby at St. Aloysius School in Sauk City, John Scudder at St. James School in Madison, and Kelly Zertler at St. Luke School in Plain will each lead their respective school as principal.

Michael Lancaster, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Madison, welcomed the new staff.

“We extend a warm welcome to these new Catholic school principals as they deepen their commitment to Catholic education by accepting the call to lead,” Lancaster said. Answering this call is an act of courage, faith, and great hope — hope in the promise of education, hope in the future, and above all, hope in Jesus Christ in whom all our hope rests. May we extend to them our gratitude and prayers.”

Gena Horsfield: St. Rose of Lima School, Cuba City

For Gena Horsfield, the role of principal is a continuation of her career.

She first experienced the St. Rose community nine years ago when her family moved to the area. 

“The welcome we received was unlike anything we had ever experienced,” Horsfield recalled. 

“From the very beginning, we knew this was where our family was meant to be.”

Her career in education began in early intervention in southeast Iowa before taking time to stay home with her children. When she returned to the classroom, she joined St. Rose as a first grade teacher for four years before stepping into the role of principal. 

She brings combined perspectives of a parent, teacher, and long-time parishioner to her role.

“A challenge I recognize is that I am stepping into a role I have never done before,” Horsfield said. 

“I know that effective leadership is a journey. My goal is to approach the first year with humility, allowing God to guide me as I learn, listen, and build trusting relationships with our talented staff.”

The reliance on God is also what makes Catholic education important to Horsfield. 

She explained that it allows the whole child to be nurtured by blending Faith into everyday learning.

Horsfield is excited for the school year to begin. 

“There is nothing quite like the energy of the first day, the smiles, the hugs, the high-fives, and the excitement that fills the hallways,” she said.

Danielle Hruby: St. Aloysius School, Sauk City

Stepping into the role of principal at St. Aloysius is a homecoming for Danielle Hruby. 

After graduating from St. Aloysius as a student, Hruby returned after graduating from college to accept her “dream job.” 

Over the last 13 years, she has served the school as a fourth and fifth grade teacher, and as a certified reading intervention specialist.

“[St. Aloysius School] is a beautiful community of families who support each other and the school tremendously,” Hruby said. 

“The greatest difficulty for me is leaving the classroom. However, I feel blessed and am thankful to be able to take on this new role in a place that is a second home to me, no matter where my desk sits.”

While transitioning out of a classroom is bittersweet, Hruby is looking forward to supporting the school through collaboration with teachers and parents while helping students connect with Christ’s message in today’s world.

“God is the sole purpose behind every lesson because God can be seen in each and every part of our lives,” Hruby said. 

“Whether it is seen in prayer before a big test, an act of charity within the community, or the complexity of algebraic reasoning, God is ever present in our daily tasks.”

When measuring educational achievement, Hruby focuses on mind and soul. “I see success in education as growth: Looking at the individual to see where a student began and where they are now,” she explained.

John Scudder: St. James School, Madison

John Scudder brings a lifetime of discipline, service, and faith to St. James School in Madison. Scudder is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and previously served as head of school at St. Ambrose Academy in Madison.

In his new role as principal at St. James School, Scudder brings a structured, team-centered approach aimed at fostering organizational growth, academic excellence, and faith development.

“I lead because people allow me to lead. I serve them,” Scudder said. 

“I serve our staff and I serve our families. Parents are the primary educators, and my role is to support them in that mission.”

Facing enrollment challenges, Scudder’s vision prioritizes clear academic benchmarks, expanding middle school mentorship initiatives, and ensuring faith formation drives daily student life.

“True education shapes the growth of both mind and heart. That is what I live by, and that is what we are building at St. James,” Scudder explained.

Kelly Zertler: St. Luke School, Plain

Kelly Zertler brings a wide range of experience and passion for foundational learning to her role as principal at St. Luke School.

A native of Simi Valley, Calif., Zertler began her education career teaching first grade in her home state and substitute teaching across PreK to 12th grade classrooms before moving to Wisconsin with her husband. 

Locally, her background includes teaching early childhood classes, art, and Spanish at St. Peter School in Ashton; substituting at St. Aloysius School in Sauk City; and working within the public school system.

Zertler’s approach to leadership focuses on spiritual growth as a foundation for serving students, staff, and families.

“Faith is everything,” Zertler said. 

“I need to be filled daily with the Holy Spirit through quiet prayer so I can go help students and staff at my school. A strong relationship with Jesus is crucial so I can help students know Him, love Him, and learn more about Jesus and our Church.”

Zertler has built connections this summer in Plain through St. Luke’s summer program, where students have run up to hug her. 

As she transitions into her administrative role, she looks forward to expanding on these connections through collaboration with veteran staff and Fr. Luke Syse, parochial administrator of Ss. Joachim and Anne Pastorate.

Catholic education, for Zertler, offers youth a grounded sense of who they are in God.

“It is imperative that students know who they are from a young age: as boys or girls made in God’s image,” she explained. 

“Catholic [education] forms them through strong academics, community, and spiritual growth.”