St. Louise Catholic School in Bellevue announced today that the National Catholic Educational Association has named Snohomish County Judge Millie Dooris Judge the 2013 Catholic Elementary School Distinguished Graduate for outstanding personal and professional achievements.

“Throughout her life, Millie consistently has pursued the highest possible professional and personal standards. She is an example of how Catholic schools educate people to take leadership roles in their community and beyond,” said current St. Louise principal Dan Fitzpatrick.

A firm believer in Catholic education, Judge continued her Catholic education at Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle and earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Washington. Judge then earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Judge lives with her family in Everett, where her two children both attend Catholic Schools.

Judge’s legal and judicial experience has spanned 23 years, where the culmination of her experience resulted in her recent election to the Superior Court of Snohomish County. Prior to taking the bench, Millie served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Office of the Snohomish County Hearing Examiner. She previously served as assistant Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Snohomish County and Law Clerk to Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Dore.

Millie’s work in community service is also impressive. She was elected Commissioner of the Snohomish County Fire District  No. 1, elected Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Environmental and Land Use Law Section, and served both as a Youth Girls Basketball Coach and a board member of the Starlight Children’s Foundation Board for over 10 years.

Judge credits much of her success to her Catholic education.

“I was fortunate enough to have 12 years of Catholic education,” said Judge. “It grounded me in our faith, gave me a moral compass that continues to guide me today, and provided me with an excellent education and lasting friendships.”