The sudden elimination of the Blue Ribbon Schools program by the U.S. Department of Education didn’t stop students and staff at St. John the Evangelist Catholic school Thursday from celebrating the award they already earned.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon pulled the plug on the popular program in August, even as results from this year’s nominations were already compiled, school and Diocese of Gary officials said.

“Even with the Blue Ribbon federal program being discontinued, it doesn’t take away from the work by the entire community to meet such extraordinarily high standards,” said Principal Katie Fredericksen.

“We are honored to be included in the last cohort of schools receiving this prestigious award.”

It’s not known if any other Northwest Indiana schools would have received

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