By Grace Child, Assistant News Editor

In December, Trinity Hall introduced Mary Kate Blaine as its next head of school. Blaine will succeed Mary Sciarillo, the school’s founding head of school, who will retire following the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Blaine is currently the principal of Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington D.C., where she has worked hard since 2013 to increase diversity at the school, create an environment of inclusion, develop an effective curriculum and support a construction project. 

Blaine earned an Ed.M. and M.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from Fordham University, and she has also held positions at Notre Dame School of Manhattan, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of New York. 

“Ms. Blaine, from the feedback that the search committee received, was a favorite from the faculty, board and students,” said Sciarrillo, who also spoke about Ms. Blaine’s commitment to girls’ education along with the experience necessary to lead Trinity Hall well. 

“I remembered how impressed we were with your faculty, teachers and Women in Leadership series,” Blaine said of her initial introduction to Trinity Hall through the NCGS event. “One thing that really struck me was what a positive energy and connectedness was palpable in the community.” 

Blaine originally heard about Trinity Hall through an event with the National Coalition of Girls Schools in 2019, and she decided to apply for the position when contacted by the search committee. 

Blaine talked about how she feels that her past positions have prepared her to lead Trinity Hall. She is excited to be part of the values and vision of the school and understands the benefits of going to an all-girls school. 

“You can do so many things without the boys around!” Blaine said. 

Blaine is eager to get to know the people of the Trinity Hall community. She has already visited campus and attended board meetings, but she will officially begin her position on July 1, 2021. 

“If you want to go fast you go by yourself, but if you want to go long, you go together.”

– Mary Kate Blaine

Outside of school, Blaine enjoys running and has even participated in a few marathons. As a former social studies teacher, she loves learning about history and government as well as spending time with her close-knit family. She will be moving to New Jersey from Washington D.C. and is excited for the opportunity to live in a new place and get to know a new community. 

Blaine shared an important metaphor that she plans to keep in mind while working with the students and faculty at Trinity Hall: “If you want to go fast you go by yourself, but if you want to go long, you go together.”