(KAIR)--After more than four decades of service, a longtime Atchison educator is saying goodbye.

Diane Liebsch, who has served the last 8-years as principal at Saint Benedict Catholic School, was given a full-day sendoff Monday, May 20; and while she was expecting the afternoon retirement reception that was held, she was not aware of other ceremonies, including a parade complete with police escort. “I feel really blessed just to have ended my career here at Saint Benedict Catholic School. This has truly been the icing on the cake,” Liebsch told MSC News.

Beginning her 44-year education career in 1975, Liebsch spent the entirety of her career working in Atchison.

Among her other community roles, Liebsch serves as a member of the Board of Education for Atchison’s USD 409.

Diane Liebsch/Credit: USD 409

As Liebsch says goodbye, her successor is being welcomed.

That comes with the hiring of Helen Schwinn to fill the role.

Helen Schwinn/Credit: St. Benedict Parish

According to a release issued Wednesday by Father Jeremy Heppler, OSB, Pastor of Saint Benedict Parish, Schwinn was selected from a pool of four candidates who interviewed for the position. The finalists were selected by Heppler and a committee comprised of Catholic educators and parishioners formed to assist with the hiring process.

Schwinn currently serves as a biology teacher and community leader at Atchison’s Maur Hill-Mount Academy.

According to the release, she brings more than 33-years of education experience, both as a teacher and school leader at both Catholic and public schools, to the role.

She has also served as a middle and high school basketball, volleyball, and track coach, as well as a class and club sponsor.

Schwinn holds a BA in Biology, with an English minor, which she earned at Topeka’s Washburn University, and earned her Master of Educational Administration from Emporia State University.