As a member of Mu Alpha Theta for five years, I have spent much of my high school career in the presence of Mrs. Patout and have strong testimony as to her efforts in the development of her students into complete men. It is my intent to relate a few stories that will best convey Mrs. Patout's deep commitment to the mission of Mu Alpha Theta and to the people within it.

In my eighth grade year at Catholic High School, the Mu Alpha Theta organization under Mrs. Patout's guidance decided to host a math tournament for local middle and junior-high school students. The motivation for this tournament came purely from the desire to spread interest in mathematics to students who have not yet reached high school. Mrs. Patout has spent her years as sponsor of Mu Alpha Theta attempting to imbue the members of the CHS chapter with a sharp interest in mathematics and in the teaching of mathematics. She joined that message with one of service to the community through tournaments like this. It is evident by the spirit of her members that she has been tremendously successful in this endeavor.

Mrs. Patout has the belief that all students can become interested in math if it is taught in the correct manner. Mrs. Patout felt so strongly about this that she requested to not teach just honors students. Every year Mrs. Patout teaches academic level students, honors students, and AP level students. She achieves tremendous success in each level. AP Scores and spring testing hours for her AP and honors classes are her marks of success. The most amazing indication of achievement has a much greater impact on the world than the level of mastery she teaches her students. In the past five years that I have been associated with her, she has inspired numerous students towards the pursuit of teaching degrees in mathematics. Many more students she has simply taught to admire teachers. Each student has no problem telling you that Mrs. Patout is the reason for his career choice. This is perhaps the greatest illustration of the dedication, strength, and skill that Mrs. Patout possesses.

On a personal note, I have worked for several years with her as an officer in Mu Alpha Theta. Because of our work together, I can speak from experience when I say that I have seen no sponsor anywhere who is more dedicated, kind, caring, and influential than Mrs. Patout. I owe her a great debt for the past five years of my life. Her desire is for me to become a productive and caring member of society. That is all that she wants in the way of repayment for her work. That, perhaps, says the most about her character.

Perhaps the greatest thing that I take with me to college from my years with Mrs. Patout is a simple concept that has changed my whole way of thinking. She has told me time and time again that awards should never be the aim of your work. She believes that the true reward of the things that she does lies in the knowledge that she has changed the life of another person. With all of this said, it is easy to see why Mrs. Patout is someone who deserves with every ounce of meaning the Sister Scholastica Award, whether she would like to admit it or not.