Award Winners

The Jim Phifer Service Award was presented to Ms. Viola Carson by Principal Perry Storey.  The Award is given annually in honor of the late Jim Phifer, who served as Principal of Notre Dame High School for more than a decade. 

From 1962 until 1997, Ms. Carson prepared and served lunch for the students, faculty and staff of Notre Dame High School.  Ms. Carson stated that during her tenure at Notre Dame she “caught on and learned the Catholic ways.”  She recalled that the boys and girls ate lunch separately and that she mostly served the boys’ side.  She also stated that Fr. Mike Nolan was “one of my main little boys.”   

Fr. Mike Nolan, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and member of the Notre Dame class of ’78 recounted that Viola “knew which kids were in trouble, which kids were having trouble, and which kids were trouble, but nobody ever went hungry!”

Ms. Carson also stated that she had a close working relationship with Mr. Phifer; and in fact, in a message read to Viola by Principal Storey, Helen Phifer, wife of the late Mr. Phifer, fondly referred to Viola as “the other woman in Jim’s life.”

Mr. Ray Fox, Jr., class of 1971, was this year’s recipient of the Notre Dame High School Distinguished Alum Award.   This award is given annually to an alumni of Notre Dame who displays citizenship and community service, exhibits strong leadership skills, has attained notable personal or professional achievement and reflects and supports the mission of Notre Dame High School.

Mr. Fox is a well respected real estate attorney and business owner in Chattanooga.  He has served his church and community through his work in organizations such as Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight; Catholic Charities; Serra Club, serving as secretary; Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce; Business Network International;  Rotary Club and St. Stephen’ Church Finance Board/Building Committee.  He is also a long-standing member of the Notre Dame School Board and has previously served as Chairman. 

The award was presented to Mr. Fox by his daughter Lauren, who also nominated him for the award.  When presenting the award, she spoke of the importance that her father placed on family, faith and education. 

Lauren also recalled asking her father how he came to serve on the Notre Dame School Board, to which he replied, “Fr. Mike asked me, and you can’t say no to a priest.” 

Lauren told the audience, “My father has a huge problem saying no!  He is the busiest person I know, but he would drop anything he is doing for someone else.”