C ATc H OUR C u Lt U R E
Celebrate our rich history while you explore Spanish St. Bernard at Los Isleños Museum Complex and historic village during our Isleños Festival. Connect with our coastal communities in Eastern St. Bernard, and experience world class fishing. For a natural encounter, the St. Bernard State Park is an ideal spot for camping and hiking located along the Mississippi River. Take a road trip down the San Bernardo Scenic By-way, and enjoy local restaurants, shopping and culture. Live like a local and Stay in St. Bernard Parish.
2
miles from the Historic French Quarter
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Charles D. Jackson
JPR (Jackson Public Relations)
Enterprises, LLC
Office - 1601 Ohio St., Chalmette, LA 70043
Email - stbernardmagazine@yahoo.com
Website - stbernardmagazine.com
Phone - (504) 609-7509
Copy Editor
Faith Dawson
Art Director
Brionna Palmer
Contributing Writers
Tiffany Accousti
Jason Browne
Destiny Campo
Mike Caruso
Anne Argus DiPaola
Elizabeth Ellison-Frost
Cisco Gonzales, Sr.
Bill Hyland
Kristi LeBlanc
Walter Leger, Jr.
Charles Jackson
Vol. 7, Issue 3 - Fall 2025
AD Designers
Sharon Hueschen Designers
Tony Lawton (cover)
Brionna Palmer
Circulation
Metro DistributionDanny Sunseri
Photographers
Mike Caruso
Karen Boudrie
Charles Jackson
Raymar Photography
Doug Toussaint
Accounting
D.W. Huff Consulting
St. Bernard Magazine is wholly-owned by Charles D. Jackson, president of JPR Enterprises, LLC, Chalmette, LA; Printed by Fox Press, Hammond, LA.
5K-10K Free Copies Distributed Quarterly by St. Bernard Magazine and Metro Distribution (Rouses Markets) to grocery stores, restaurants and businesses in St. Bernard, New Orleans, Metairie, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Ponchatoula and Hammond.
See locations: stbernardmagazine.com/distribution
Ad Deadlines: Spring Issue (Jan. 15), Summer (March 15), Fall (June 15), Winter (Sept. 15).
Award-Winner: Louisiana Association of Museums “Media Support” 2024
JPR Enterprises, LLC, Chalmette, registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State on February 23, 2018, Charter No. 42965547K. Recent filing on the state website.
DSports Hall of Fame Honors 2005 Athletes of the Year
Special Katrina Award
Both athletes are now coaches.
Lacoste, a part-time coach at both Holy Cross and Chalmette high schools, manages a sports training facility in Elmwood that caters to amateur and professional athletes. He was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) at Holy Cross and earned The Times-Picayune Holy Cross Athlete of the Year Award in 2005.
Publisher's Pen by Charles
Publisher's Pen by Charles
D. Jackson
D. Jackson
uring its 29th annual induction ceremony on March 16, 2025, St. Bernard Sports Hall of Fame presented its “Hurricane Katrina 2005 Special Recognition Award” – Female and Male Athlete of the Year – to Vicki McInnis-Nuccio and Lance Lacoste. “We are excited to be honoring two athletes who missed out on an award because of Hurricane Katrina,” President Melissa Barbay Gaye said.
“Katrina took so much from us, but we knew that home was not far away. One thing that remains true to all of us, whether we stayed after the hurricane or not, is that this is our home and it always will be. Coming home brings us a sense of pride,” Gaye said.
McInnis-Nuccio coaches volleyball and girls’ basketball at Chalmette High School. She served as an assistant athletic director and AAU coach. As a student, she lettered in four sports (volleyball, basketball, softball and track), and earned Female Athlete of the Year, Miss Chalmette, and Homecoming Queen honors her senior year.
The magazine highlights the rich history, people, progress, traditions, culture, resilience, diversity, civics, small business, schools, organizers, and the extraordinarily welcoming community atmosphere of St. Bernard Parish. This mixture makes ‘Da Parish “The Most Unique County (Parish) in the Country.”
National Champs Chalmette High ProStart Restaurant Management Team
By Charles D. Jackson
The Chalmette High School ProStart Management Team captured the 2025 National ProStart Invitational presented by the National Restaurant Association May 2-4 in Baltimore, MD. It’s the country’s premier secondary school competition that focuses on restaurant management and culinary arts, attracting 400 participants this year. The CHS restaurant concept “La Strada” – a soulful and charming establishment featuring a fusion of Creole and Italian cuisines –wowed judges with its originality, professionalism, attention to detail, and real-world viability.
“Seeing us win on the national stage was an incredibly proud moment,” said Elena Hodges, CHS culinary instructor and mentor to the team. “After years of growth and hard work, this feels like the culmination of so much effort. We earned this, and I’m proud to be a ProStart educator.”
Hodges has taught ProStart at CHS for eight years, leading both the culinary and management teams to nationals the last four years.
The Valedictorians
Four of the five ProStart team members graduated as class valedictorian (4.0 GPA or higher): Asma Askar, Denim Bell, Norman Morales and Lily Vu. “Becoming a valedictorian was a personal goal I’ve worked toward for years,” Vu said. “I remember attending Chalmette’s honors ceremony as an eighth-grader and dreaming of one day standing on that stage.’’
Askar said, “Graduating at the top of my class with a perfect GPA immediately after winning first place in the nation for ProStart gave me a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. The best part was the people it happened with: my teammates, friends, and valedictorians all at once. We created a special connection – everlasting friendships unlike any other – because of ProStart.”
Morales said, “Being in the running (for valedictorian) with my teammates brought us even closer as we had to study for calculus and biology on top of designing a whole (restaurant plan) from scratch.”
Winners from left, Lily Vu, Kamryn Simon, Asma Askar, Norman Morales and Denim Bell. Four of the five seniors graduated as 2025 class valedictorian.
Photos provided by St. Bernard Parish Schools
ProStart winners celebrate with supporters at the national invitational in Baltimore, MD.
ProStart Management taught me critical thinking skills, which I knew would be essential for my career path in the field of law.
– Asma Askar
ProStart Experiences
“Getting with my team each and every day to practice not only prepared us for competition, but also allowed us to bond in a way we would have never predicted,” Kamryn Simon said.
“Winning first place at the national level gave me a sense of pride and confidence that I never knew I had,” Askar said. “It unlocked a part of me that was hidden.”
Vu said she “gained valuable skills, built strong friendships, and grew personally and professionally. Winning was the perfect way to end my high school journey. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and celebrating that moment with my friends made it even more special.’’
Bell noted that the one-year experience “definitely helped me to develop management skills as well as confidence.”
Morales said, “The experience changed my life more than any other extracurricular has done. It’s inspired me to remember what I’m capable of and strengthen my love for business management and overall presentation.”
I took the lead of coming up with our name and we had multiple ones until La Strada stuck as we struggled for 15 minutes trying to pronounce it.
– Norman Morales
Marketing Teamwork
All five team members played key roles in developing the concept and marketing. “While we all brought forth different ideas, we compromised to introduce an even greater plan that expressed everyone’s passions,” Askar said.
Vu said: “With my background in the restaurant industry, I helped the team with critical thinking and ensured we followed proper food safety and sanitation practices.”
Simon’s marketing idea was to create a Facebook reel and a loyalty program to attract both younger and older audiences. “A lot of people nowadays like the idea of gaining points and redeeming deals and offers, along with a catchy video.”
Bell focused on how cross-posting works on Meta. “I thought our strategies were very well thought out. While developing them was a team effort, I think Norman really stood out when it came to answering marketing-related questions.”
“For the marketing plan, I was really inspired by The Coffee House loyalty program, Square, which really connects personally with our customers,” Morales said. “I took the lead of coming up with our name and we had multiple ones until La Strada stuck as we struggled for 15 minutes trying to pronounce it.”
School Activities
Simon had been in theater at CHS for four years, performing in The Sound of Music, Anything Goes, Oklahoma!, Something Rotten, and Kiss Me Kate, playing the role of Lois Lane.
Askar was named Golden Owl and Athlete of the Year. She served as captain of the girls' soccer team, Key Club president, Student Council vice president, Beta officer, and an Owl Watch News co-founder. She plans on mentoring the incoming
ProStart team with CHS teachers and mentors who worked with them throughout the year.
ProStart Management team.
Vu was a Golden Owl, served as a Student Council and Senior Class officer, anchored the morning announcements, and participated in soccer, track, Beta Club, and Key Club. Bell has led the film department for the school’s tech crew.
Morales served on the regional level with 4-H, founded and hosted the school’s News Source and performed more than 100 hours of volunteer work
with school and parish events.
College Choices
Simon has enrolled at Nunez Community College with a major in elementary education. “I’ve always had the passion of helping and teaching little kids for a while.”
Askar enters Tulane University, majoring in political science. “ProStart Management taught me critical thinking skills, which I knew would be essential for my career path in the field of law.”
Bell attends Howard University in Washington, D.C. with plans to become a nurse “because it’s a meaningful way to help others.”
Vu is majoring in biology, with a pre-med focus, at Tulane. “I’ve always been passionate about science and helping others.’’
Morales is studying at Yale University in New Haven, CT. “I’m going with an open mind but also one that pushes me to a future in business management or maybe perhaps law.’’
CHS 2025 Class Valedictorians
11 Chalmette High School seniors graduated in May as a class valedictorian (4.0 GPA and higher), the most in school history, according to longtime Assistant Principal Carole Mundt.
Asma Askar
Denim Bell
Norman Morales
Grace Gaspard
Elizabeth Groby Trey Meyers
Brandi Phan
Kimberly Quintanilla
Adison Tregle Jorge Vargas Lily Vu
Photos by Raymar Photography
Honoring Past, Funding Future
Cabrini High’s Strong Ties to St. Bernard
By Anne Argus DiPaola Cabrini Communications Director
Bright costumes, rhythmic music, and the hum of cultural conversation filled the grounds of the Los Isleños Fiesta, where families gathered to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Canary Islanders who settled in Louisiana in the late 1700s. Honoring the language, music, folklore, food and traditions rooted in community, history and pride of St. Bernard Parish, the festival has become a cornerstone of cultural preservation that brings generations together year after year.
At the center of the celebration last March, Cabrini High School junior Lizbeth Garcia Cruz appeared onstage in traditional traje típico (folk costume) from the Canary Islands. Her poised recitation of Spanish poetry and demonstration of the fan’s silent language brought history to life on the porch of the Caserta House, a structure intertwined in the history of both the parish and Cabrini. Spanish students at Cabrini learn the language of the fan, silently communicating through how the fan is held and used. Cruz’s presence was more than a performance; it was a reflection of Cabrini’s long and meaningful connection to St. Bernard Parish. Cabrini High School, located “up to the road” in New Orleans on the banks of Bayou St. John, has served as a home for generations of St. Bernard
families. One of those families — the Caserta-Albers — traces its own story through the very house where Cruz performed.
Family Home
“The Caserta House is my grandfather’s family home,” said Natalie Caserta Albers, Cabrini alumna (Class of 1996) and now personnel supervisor for St. Bernard Parish School Board. “My grandfather was born in that house in 1912, and I remember visiting as a child. It was a part of our family life for years.”
Originally located on St. Bernard Highway, the home was later relocated to the museum grounds, where it now serves as a cherished symbol of the parish’s history.
The connection between Cabrini High School and St. Bernard Parish runs deeper than architecture or ancestry. It’s a relationship rooted in shared values: education, service, family, and faith.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini), the school’s namesake and the Patron Saint of Immigrants, devoted her life to uplifting newcomers, including the Isleños, whose heritage continues to thrive in the parish today.
Photo provided by Cabrini High School
All In The Family: Natalie Caserta Albers (Cabrini Class of 1996) is surrounded by daughters, from left, Taylor (Class of 2020), Natalie (2024), Camryn (2029), and Alyssa (2016).
Our Lady of Prompt Succor Principal Charol Armand and Cabrini junior Isabella Rodi during the retreat for upperclassmen led by Cabrini graduates.
St. Bernard Islenos’ devotion to preserving the cultural significance of their communities closely mirrors the charisma that defines Cabrini High School. At this year’s Los Isleños Fiesta, one of Cabrini’s most beloved modern-day figures, Vivian “Chica” Coutin, longtime chair of the school’s Foreign Language Department, was named an honorary citizen of St. Bernard Parish for her decades of selfless service to the parish’s Hispanic and Isleños residents.
OLPS Scholarship
The bond between Cabrini and St. Bernard continues to grow. Earlier this year, Cabrini students returned to Our Lady of Prompt Succor School — where many of them began their academic journeys — to lead a retreat for OLPS upperclassmen. More than a reunion, the visit reflected the lasting influence of a shared educational foundation and the value of peer mentorship between two schools with an interwoven history.
That relationship took another step forward when Cabrini launched the Our Lady of Prompt Succor Cabrini High School Presidential Scholarship. This annual award provides recognition and meaningful tuition support to a deserving OLPS seventhgrader who plans to continue her education at Cabrini High School, carrying the connection from one campus to the next.
Together, these moments, whether honoring the past at the Caserta House or investing in the future through student scholarships to St. Bernard young women, reflect a relationship between Cabrini High and St. Bernard Parish that is meaningful and enduring. With families like the Albers — Natalie and her four daughters are all proud Crescents — the tradition continues. From the hallways of the Caserta House to the classrooms of Cabrini, the connection between the school and the parish remains strong and deeply personal. As we look toward the future, Cabrini is proud to celebrate a partnership built not only on history, but on heart.
Scientific Research Inspires 8th Grader
By Destiny Campo
St. Bernard Middle School
On March 20, select eighth graders from St. Bernard Middle visited Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in Livingston, LA. It is one of only two such facilities in the United States. We learned some amazing things, such as the discovery of two black holes and how they slowly absorbed into each other over time forming one black hole, creating subtle effects on Earth’s gravity.
We explored the observatory and viewed what they call “The Arm,” which houses the laser to detect gravitational waves. We met several LIGO scientists who showed images of the laser. It is so fragile and sensitive that visitors must wear special suits for protection while entering the room.
After learning of LIGO’s recent discoveries, we were informed on how they keep track of data around the world and the technology used for discoveries. Our guide, Sophie Crooke, a former science teacher in St. Bernard Parish, shared that lasers were so
powerful they were able to pick up a big event at a LSU football game.
We had many hands-on experiences with machines that allowed us to learn more about science, heat, gravity and other areas. One of my favorite activities was in a room where we could create a wall with bubbles. The experience was both educational and inspiring, providing a fascinating glimpse into scientific research that I had no idea existed. I would love to go again.
Destiny Campo and select eighth graders visit a laser observatory in Livingston, LA.
FNunez SGA Leader State Vice Chair
By Jason Browne
or the first time in the college’s history, a Nunez Community College Student Government Association president is serving as vice chairman for the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents, beginning this school year.
Troy Sino Jr., Mr. Chalmette High School in 2024, was elected to the state body in May by his council of presidents peers. As vice chairman, he fills in for the chairman in absence or vacancy, oversees the council’s committees and participates in executive committee meetings.
The state council promotes communication among students from Louisiana’s various college systems –Louisiana State University, Southeastern University,
University of Lafayette and Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges – and provides student input to the Louisiana Board of Regents.
“I want to give God the glory, and thank God for giving me the opportunity to hold the position of president of the Nunez SGA, as well as vice chair of the state,” Sino said. “I’m so excited for the opportunity to show people what Nunez offers as a college and to provide a different perspective to the executive board when it comes to the things I say or do on behalf of all community colleges.”
A former wrestling, football, and track and field athlete at Chalmette High School, Sino is also a church youth leader, and operates his own business crafting flowers and other metal art. He learned the craft as a dual enrollment student in Nunez’s welding program. He plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy.
Saluting America's 250th
St. Bernard Parish Office of Tourism and its coalition of government, school, business, nonprofit, healthcare and community leaders are raising awareness of America’s 250th Anniversary, July 4, 2026, a.k.a. the United States Semiquincentennial or America 250.
This landmark occasion commemorates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and involves a yearlong series of events and activities designed to reflect on the nation's past, celebrate its present and look toward the future.
St. Bernard’s America 250 kicks off on Veterans Day – Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, during the annual parade on West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, and military honors program at the Veterans Memorial Monument outside the Fred J. Sigur Civic Center. Other events and activities discussed so far include school poster contests (winners displayed at government buildings), student performances, America 250 signage; and of course, the July 4th fireworks at the Government Complex.
For more information or to support, call the Office of Tourism at 504-278-4242.
Katrina's 20th Anniversary - 3rd of 4-Part Series -
Our Fight To Rebuild Winning $4 Billion For
St. Bernard Infrastructure
DBy Walter Leger, Jr. Co-Chairman, Recovery Committee
ays, weeks, and months of disbelief, anguish, determination, faith, hard work, and most of all, hope for the future, consumed residents of St. Bernard Parish after Katrina. It’s still hard to comprehend the scope of it all. Residents were like the character Job of the Old Testament, having lost everything. We questioned our faith, our neighbors, our leaders, and our levees.
As we struggled to comprehend the level of devastation (27,000 structures destroyed) across the parish, there was an actual debate in Washington, D.C., as to whether we would be allowed to rebuild at all.
My family evacuated to Baton Rouge, but within days, we learned that there were several thousand people still trapped. Many moved after the storm into the warehouse at the St. Bernard Port. My son, Walt III, and I met with state officials and developed a plan to head down to the Westbank, where we commandeered the Algiers ferries and brought 4,000 to 6,000 people out of the warehouse and loaded them on buses at the Westbank Algiers ferry landing.
As we struggled to comprehend the level of devastation (27,000 structures destroyed) across the parish, there was an actual debate in Washington, D.C., as to whether we would be allowed to rebuild at all.
I was asked by Gov. Kathleen Blanco to serve on a commission she was putting together, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). Our commitment in Louisiana and St. Bernard was that we would rebuild. The federal government initially allocated more money to Mississippi
than Louisiana, although we had five times the damage. Through the LRA, we fought in Washington, D.C., for help and funds to rebuild, like no other state or community had ever fought before.
Citizens Recovery Committee
Meanwhile, business leaders, civic leaders, and government officials began to gather to develop a plan of attack. We proposed an official local group to help develop the long-term plan for St. Bernard. The St. Bernard Parish Council, led by Chairman Joey DiFatta, appointed the St. Bernard Citizens Recovery Committee, naming me and Judge David Gorbaty as co-chairmen.
We began having meetings several times a week under tents behind the government complex. Our task was to develop a long-term strategic rebuilding plan. The state provided us with the resources to develop a plan in the form of worldclass consultants. Community meetings called charrettes were conducted to get citizens' input.
We created the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation as part of the St. Bernard Economic Development Commission. The new 501(c)3 allowed us to raise several hundred thousand dollars to develop a long-term strategic plan headed by Tulane's Urban Design Center and internationally renowned Waggonner and Ball Architects. The plan was unanimously approved by the Citizens Recovery Committee and the parish government council.
Creating Road Home Program
Meanwhile, in my capacity as chairman of the Louisiana Housing and Redevelopment Task Force, I traveled with Gov. Blanco and other LRA members who went to Washington to fight to secure additional funding, enough to help us actually rebuild. Through the LRA, I testified before no less than five separate congressional and senate committees and sub-committees regarding our need for funding and the situation back home. It was our goal to seek sufficient funding to offer homeowners assistance where flood insurance, homeowners insurance, Small Business Administration loans (SBA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance was inadequate.
My task force and the LRA literally battled the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in developing the Road Home program. It was the first and largest of its kind designed to assist homeowners to either rebuild their homes and return, or sell them. Because of federal regulations, Community Development Block Grants funds could only be used in the program, along with insurance claims and loans with HUD restrictions.
Road Home funds were limited, but eventually we were able to obtain more than $1 billion to help rebuild in St. Bernard Parish alone. The blockgrant funding averaged $88,000 per homeowner. Another $150 million was paid in hazard mitigation grants.
FEMA Public Assistance
FEMA Public Assistance funding to St. Bernard Parish Government was provided subject to the Stafford Act, applicable to government entities and non-governmental organizations for the purpose of rebuilding or replacement of public assets. Expertise and assistance in obtaining adequate amounts was provided by the state and the LRA in many cases.
BERNARD’S OWN EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP | COMMITMENT | SERVICE
Walter J. Leger, Jr. ONE
OF ST.
Graduated with numerous honors from Chalmette High School, LSU and Tulane Law School
• Best Lawyers in America –Maritime Law, Commercial Litigation, and Class Actions
• Louisiana Super Lawyers
• Leaders in Law – Hall of Fame –New Orleans CityBusiness
• Named one of the 12 "Louisiana Legal Legends" in the first 300 years of Louisiana by the Louisiana Bar Journal
• A “Larger than life legal legend" - Biz New Orleans Magazine
• Leader in the national Tobacco Litigation, trial team in the BP/DEEPWATER HORIZON litigation, leader in the national Opioid Litigation
• St. Bernard BP&W Man of the Year
• St. Bernard Chamber Citizen of the Year
• Founder and former chairman of the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce and the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
A Louisiana Leader in the Battle to Rebuild after Hurricane Katrina
Serving St. Bernard and the Gulf South Since 1979
legershaw.com | 504-588-9043
Federal Funding
The parish government alone received more than $500 million in FEMA Public Assistance funding. Here’s the breakdown of the parish, Sheriff’s Office and St. Bernard Parish School Board allocations: Infrastructure & Utilities – $474 million for water, sewer, roads, bridges
Public Works Grants – $10.2 million for sanitary sewer collection system repairs; $2.2 million for road repairs and engineering; $0.7 million for a force main at 40-Arpent Canal; and $0.5 million for Rosetta & Lena canal crossings
Fire Department – $2.08 million to replace fire equipment (seven units)
Sheriff’s Office/Public Safety – $100 million in funding and reimbursements: $93.2 million for replacing flood-damaged office and law enforcement assets; $1.03 million reimbursed for rescue/emergency response expenses; $8.64 million in 2010 specifically for temporary facilities and housing to support sheriff personnel post-storm
School Board – Approximately $500 million for rebuilding schools and school board property. The Louisiana Recovery Authority granted an additional $39 million to the school board.
Federal Insurance – $1.7 billion from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federally subsidized insurance program to cover the cost of flood damage to homes and properties uncovered by homeowners and property insurance companies. St. Bernard Parish residents and businesses filed nearly 40,000 NFIP flood insurance claims.
St. Bernard Parish, before Katrina, had a population of approximately 67,000 people. We have had remarkable growth from basically a population zero at the end of 2005 to 45,000 today. The federal government provided nearly $4 billion to rebuild our parish, not including the nearly $16 billion spent to build a massive hurricane protection system that now surrounds St. Bernard in the Greater New Orleans area.
We fought for every penny we got. We are grateful to the people of Louisiana, the United States and folks from abroad. Without their help, we would never have been able to rebuild. We have a duty to continue to grow, survive, and be an important part of our state and our nation.
Rebuilding has been the test of our lives. But the test is not over.
Parish’s Legacy: Resilience
By Bill Hyland, St. Bernard Parish Historian
Visionary local leadership carefully gathered and weighed concerns and desires of residents, and developed the post-Katrina face of St. Bernard Parish. This community offers exemplary educational, cultural and recreational opportunities unsurpassed in the New Orleans region.
Twenty years have elapsed since Hurricane Katrina wrought a catastrophic blow to St. Bernard Parish. The storm once more proved in many ways the plain, unvarnished truth of the expression “You can’t go home again.” There were slightly more than 67,000 residents calling St. Bernard home on Aug. 29, 2005, yet by 12 noon that day all were rendered homeless by the floodwaters generated in Katrina. Today, the population stands at 44,463.
The face of St. Bernard forever changed in many respects, yet many of the finest vestiges of its pre-Katrina identity survive to this day. What this community has endured is an overwhelming testament to the resilience and commitment of residents and parish leaders who remained or returned to rebuild St. Bernard.
Redeveloping Schools
The St. Bernard Parish Public Schools were rebuilt and redeveloped in such an exemplary manner under the skillful direction and administration of Supt. Doris Voitier that families and community life soon returned. Chalmette High School has earned several state “A” grades, and several secondary schools have won state, regional and national awards. One of the school system’s most impressive facilities is the Cultural Arts Center at Chalmette High. It houses a state-of-the-art theater that hosts student-led performances comparable to Broadway productions.
Infrastructure Projects
Craig Taffaro, a council member when Katrina struck, was elected parish president in 2008. He led a team of elected officials, administrators and
zealous community leaders to use FEMA funding to complete the restoration of the following: the 34th Judicial District Courthouse, Historic St. Bernard Parish Courthouse, St. Bernard Parish Government Building, Fred Sigur Civic Center, design and construction of Val Riess Sports Complex (which now hosts national and regional baseball/softball tournaments), restoration and construction of Los Isleños Museum Complex, St. Bernard Parish Road Yard, drainage facilities throughout St. Bernard, and many other vitally important infrastructure projects.
The historic districts in Old Arabi sustained horrendous flood damage, but elected and citizen leadership sparked the restoration of the Old Arabi neighborhood in the years immediately following Katrina. Old Arabi now has a burgeoning arts scene and hosts an annual sugar festival.
Road Home’s Help
The Louisiana Land Trust (LLT), a non-profit enacted by the state after Katrina to oversee its Road Home program, played a role in acquiring and managing properties for such programs as Buy and Build, Lot Next Door, and Builder Bundle.
St. Bernard Parish Government’s Road Home program, Sold on St. Bernard, has ongoing new home construction at the Buccaneer Village neighborhood in Arabi.
Photo by Karen Boudrie
These programs facilitated the return of residents and encouraged rebuilding.
St. Bernard Parish Government purchased Road Home properties from the state, and through its Department of Community Development, created a program called Sold on St. Bernard. The program offered builders “bundles” of properties to construct homes, mostly in Arabi, Chalmette and Meraux. These stylish houses attracted returning residents and newcomers, mostly from New Orleans. Since Katrina, Arabi and Meraux have been listed among the top 10 fastest-growing suburbs for young families in Southeast Louisiana.
The parish government also focused on flood mitigation and infrastructure projects, including the Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System to reduce future flood risks.
Continuing Legacy
Always a close-knit population, the community came together to insist on rebuilding St. Bernard for the future and to drive growth. Our residents, some who experienced Hurricane Betsy in 1965, are continuing a legacy of community resilience, just as people had in the 18th century when the parish was founded, followed by the British invasion during the Battle of New Orleans
(1814–1815), the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Spanish Influenza Pandemic (1918–1919), the Great Depression (1930s), two world wars and many other challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022).
Attorney David Gorbaty, judge in the 34th District Court and upon retirement 4th Circuit Court of Appeal, co-chaired the Citizens Recovery Committee. He once called the parish “a little jewel that needs polishing,” as reported by the Times-Picayune. Gorbaty told the newspaper he expects the steady growth since Katrina to continue. “I’m confident that we’re going to be as big, if not bigger, but it’s going to take time, and a lot of people are impatient with that.”
Odds are, come what may, there will be a St. Bernard Parish in the future, just as there has been for almost 250 years.
William de Marigny Hyland is the Parish Historian/Site Manager of Los Isleños Museum Complex, owned by St. Bernard Parish Government.
We were committed to rebuilding by making loans.
– Guy Williams, President & Co-Founder
Gulf Coast Bank
"Placed All Our Chips in Recovery"
By Charles D. Jackson
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. was the first bank to return after Katrina floodwaters swamped more than 27,000 structures in St. Bernard Parish on Aug. 29-30, 2005. In mid-October, the bank reopened with much fanfare in a trailer at its West Judge Perez Drive branch, across from the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex.
“Mud was everywhere,’’ said Guy Williams, the bank’s president and co-founder. “The fire department from Geneva, Ohio, hosed down the parking lot. Our decision was not only to reopen but to completely landscape the property. A number of people came back and saw all the mud, and told us, ‘I was ready to throw in the towel, but when I saw (the bank’s) green oasis, and said, ‘If they can do it, we can do it.’ ”
Gulf Coast was also the first bank to reopen in Lakeview and Downtown New Orleans. While some regional banks were initially concerned about postKatrina risks, Gulf Coast “placed all our chips on recovery,’’ Williams said.
“We were committed to rebuilding by making loans,” said Williams, who also served on the parish’s recovery committee and the board of Louisiana Bankers Association. “We approved every loan for anyone who wanted to rebuild and qualified.” He said the bank financed 70 to 80 percent of the homes rebuilt in St. Bernard during the first year post-Katrina.
The bank also cashed checks for non-account holders so they could pay contractors and other bills. “We did a lot to help everybody,” said Gus Reiss, the bank’s longtime St. Bernard manager. “Every check cleared. We didn’t lose a nickel.”
Grant For Businesses
Sean Warner, vice president/market manager at Gulf Coast Bank and a longtime member of the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, said Murphy Oil awarded a $1 million grant to the chamber to help businesses rebuild. The chamber, with Reiss serving as treasurer, gave businesses grants of $15,000 as seed money to reopen in St. Bernard.
Chalmette Refining Hosts Early Post-Katrina Recovery
by Doug Toussaint
By Tiffany Accousti and Elizabeth Ellison-Frost
For the first time in Chalmette Refining’s 90-year history, the entire facility shut down prior to the arrival of Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005. Normally, a skeleton crew would be left behind. This was done for safety reasons because of the forecasted force of the storm. Days later, the refinery became the seat of St. Bernard Parish government, and the catalyst of the parish’s recovery and rebuild.
Due to Chalmette Refining’s proximity to the river – the highest point above sea level in the parish – most of the refinery never flooded. “We found the refinery in general was pretty dry,” said Scott Goodwin, PBF Energy corporate safety director, who was Chalmette Refining’s fire chief at the time. “A generator was providing electricity to the first floor of the Administration Building only. We immediately instituted a formal incident command
structure with the sheriff, fire chief and parish president.’’ The Administration Building also hosted the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Guard, Royal Canadian soldiers, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, doctors and nurses from Chalmette General Hospital, and other support agencies. President George W. Bush, Gov. Kathleen Blanco, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin met with St. Bernard Parish leaders in the refinery manager’s office.
Parish personnel acquired as much bottled drinking water and food that was available in the various units. Portable toilets were moved to the front of the grounds. Several refinery employees who stayed in the parish during the storm helped get filtered water lined up for showering under an outdoor process unit safety shower. And when large quantities of MREs (meals ready to eat) began to arrive, refinery forklifts were used to unload them into the plant’s warehouse.
Makeshift Camp
To accommodate the employees and contractors involved in the massive restart effort, a makeshift camp was established. More than 20 FEMA trailers were brought to the site, along with eight bunkhouses and a central tent with feeding and
FEMA manager, National Guard set up in the refinery’s parking lot.
Photos
bathroom facilities. Just several weeks after Katrina, Chalmette Refining hosted about 100 employees and contractors, and fed another 400 every day; among them were 100 electricians performing the bulk of the high voltage repairs required to get the refinery back up and running.
St. Bernard Parish Fire Chief Tommy Stone took over the refinery’s firehouse on Paris Road to use as his home base because all 10 of the parish’s firehouses were underwater. The firehouse became the center of a massive coordination effort, where search and rescue parties from all around the country were convened. The fire department, supported by outside agencies, operated out of the
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refinery’s firehouse for six months.
About 300 firefighters, with 30 fire vehicles, lived at the complex. Using welding machines from the refinery, they established electricity and were able to backflush river water to make the toilets usable.
Goodwin recalls the employee parking lot looking like scenes he remembers from the television show M.A.S.H. Multiple helicopters were arriving and departing nonstop, and people were scattered everywhere. Restoring order became a top priority.
By mid-September, power was restored to the Administration Building, with three floors still occupied by public officials and first responders.
On Oct. 12, power was restored to the entire refinery. Parish President Junior Rodriguez and his staff continued to live and work from the building for six weeks.
By the time Chalmette Refining was fully operating on Nov. 8, the struggle to rebuild a community that was completely demolished was just beginning. “We worked together and got through the event because that is what good neighbors do,” Goodwin said.
Shoemaker
Katrina's
20th Anniversary
Part 3:
Recovery & Rebuild
Volunteers at Camp Hope
Clean 2,500 Homes, Help Guide Residents
By Charles D. Jackson
Thousands of volunteers flocked to St. Bernard Parish after Katrina to help families recover and rebuild. Organized and mobilized by groups such as the St. Bernard Project, Operation Southern Comfort, AmeriCorps National, Habitat
For Humanity and the United Way, volunteers often worked alongside homeowners and contributed to various aspects of the recovery process – from construction and debris removal to navigating the complexities of FEMA applications and insurance claims.
“People were here from around the world,” said Sean Warner, lifelong resident and current school board member. “There were Mennonites, Christian groups, college students, American Indians, and a group affectionately known by locals as the ‘hippies’ living in tent city. They were a huge part of our recovery.”
Many volunteers stayed at Camp Hope, which opened June 1, 2006, at P.G.T. Beauregard Middle School (now the campus of Gauthier Elementary) due to the closure of a FEMA-sponsored base camp established to provide basic life support for emergency response activities.
Retired U.S. Marine Col. David Dysart, director of the St. Bernard Parish Office of Recovery, formed alliances with multiple nonprofit organizations, volunteer groups and the St. Bernard Parish School Board to relocate the base camp to ensure the continued support necessary for critical volunteer efforts to continue. The opening was overseen by St. Bernard Parish employee Tom Pfalzer and facilitated by AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.
For three years (June 2006 to May 29, 2009), New Orleans Habitat For Humanity hosted about 85,000 workers at Camp Hope, whose mission, in addition to providing low-cost volunteer housing, was to facilitate volunteer relief efforts in St. Bernard and Greater New Orleans. Volunteers helped manage and participate in the removal of health and safety hazards internal to residential properties.
For displaced residents, volunteers at Camp Hope facilitated repatriation as a cost-effective alternative to unnecessary demolition with the assistance of local, state, federal, National Civilian Community Corps, volunteer groups and non-governmental agencies, according to a national report. At the end of the debris removal process, volunteers in St. Bernard had gutted over 2,500 homes at no cost to owners, the report said.
Photo by Zuma Press
Lasting Friendship
By Cisco Gonzales, Sr., Louisiana Crawfish Festival
Operation Southern Comfort (OSC), a vision of Norm Andrzejewski, tremendously helped with the recovery of families in St. Bernard and the Lower Ninth Ward after Katrina. Norm and I formed a lasting friendship out of his passion to help others in our community. His group brought down more than 600 volunteers over 10 years. Adults, teenagers, and college students piled into vans for convoys from Syracuse, N.Y., to St. Bernard. They cleared mounds of muck and debris to clean, gut and rebuild more than 500 homes and some churches.
Norm, a true visionary, decided to do more with some volunteers. They built five houses from the ground up. It seemed that he always pushed for doing more to help. It was pretty amazing to see so many groups of volunteers signing up and meeting for the first time to serve our community, so far from their homes in New York.
After Norm volunteered at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival, he asked if we could do a crawfish festival in Syracuse to support their community efforts. Renamed Operation Northern Comfort, the group’s annual crawfish festival continues to raise money and bring a bit of Louisiana culture and food to Syracuse. I still attend, help boil shrimp and crawfish because I love seeing old friends and being a part of keeping Norm's vision alive. Although Norm is no longer with us, his memory and vision lives on in the many volunteers still involved. His often-spoken words to everyone: “It’s a beautiful thing.”
Norm Cisco
The Floating Island of St. Bernard Post-Katrina
M. S. SCOTIA PRINCE
Headquarters for Parish Leadership
By Bill Hyland St. Bernard Parish Historian
The misery felt by the residents and first responders of St. Bernard Parish following the catastrophic flood generated by Katrina on August 29-30, 2005, is utterly indescribable in narrative form. Imagine more than 67,000 people made homeless by flooding in no more than two hours. Black muck, marsh grass, snakes, toxic chemicals and many other perils were unleashed on a closely knit, family-centered community. After the surviving residents who chose not to evacuate, perhaps as many as several thousand people were provided with the means to depart a totally devastated St. Bernard, then the parish was left entirely in the hands of the first responders and elected officials who remained sentinels protecting the ruined remains of what had been.
The ship was a crucial transition from utter destitution to the next step in housing.
The Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department and elected officials all found different properties to temporarily commandeer – Chalmette Refining, Domino Sugar, the main courtroom in the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse and other scattered locations throughout the parish. Gradually, the
means to communicate with the outside world began to appear and the awful news of what had happened here began to be known outside St. Bernard Parish.
Finally, on or about Sept. 24, 2005, M. S. Scotia Prince arrived on the Mississippi River and docked at the Chalmette Slip, adjacent to the Chalmette Battlefield, bringing consummately essential relief to those who remained behind to save what was left of St. Bernard.
Aboard The Ship
The ship, originally named the M. S. Stena Olympica, was built in Yugoslavia and began service in 1972 in the Baltic Sea region. In 1982, the Stena Olympica was sold to the Prince of Fundy cruise line and was rechristened the M. S. Scotia Prince. During the next two decades, the Scotia Prince became a fixture in the tourist industry of Maine and Nova Scotia, traveling daily between Portland, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, through 2004. The ship could house about 1,300 people in slightly more than 900 cabins, had parking areas for vehicles, a restaurant, entertainment areas and a laundry that serviced the vessel.
By October 2005, the ship became the temporary town hall of St. Bernard Parish government with the council conducting its regular public meetings, and the home to thousands of returning residents. As many as 1,500 luncheons were served daily in the restaurant; there was not one restaurant operating in St. Bernard at that time (nor were there gas stations, grocery stores, drugstores, traffic lights, streetlights or even one habitable residence). Catholic Mass was celebrated weekly until Sheriff Jack Stephens and Chief Deputy Anthony “Tony” Fernandez led the effort to remove debris, thoroughly clean and render Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church on Paris Road ready for the celebration of weekly Mass.
By the beginning of November 2005, almost every berth in the Scotia Prince was filled by St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s deputies, St. Bernard Parish fire fighters, St. Bernard Parish government road crew employees and other parish government employees. These cabins were tiny, but each room had a shower, lavatory and toilet, all kept very clean. There were also public showers and laundry service available aboard the ship. As temporary housing in the form of FEMA campers and trailers became available to occupants aboard the Scotia Prince, other first responders were allowed to occupy berths aboard the ship.
Residents’ Needs Met
Parish leaders worked successfully with FEMA, which paid for the ship, to bring about relief for those aboard the vessel. Many residents were thrilled just to have a place to shower and have a hot meal. There were bereavement gatherings for those who died, birthday parties, places for families to gather and reconnect, and opportunities for public entertainment. Barry Lemoine and Shine Productions performed several plays to lighten the mood of residents. “It was a lot better than sitting atop a rooftop,”
said St. Bernard Council Member Judy Darby Hoffmeister. “Seriously, we have been very well treated here. We are all anxious to go home, but they feed us, and all our basic needs are met.’’
Michael D. “Mike” Hunnicutt, then director of St. Bernard Parish Department of Community Development, was immediately named coordinator between St. Bernard Parish Government and the administrators of the Scotia Prince. Hunnicutt reopened the Office of Community Development, which included issuing building permits and, at that very earliest point in the recovery, reviewing options on how to move forward in deciding the fate of residents’ properties, which were severely damaged or in many instances totally obliterated. On Oct. 6, 2005, the author of this article assumed that responsibility of the ship’s coordinator, and continued to do so until March 2, 2006, when the vessel was vacated and departed from Violet to Charleston, S.C.
Following its tenure in St. Bernard, the Scotia Prince was sold and ultimately scrapped in 2012; thus an ignominious end befell the vessel that was vitally important in the earliest stages of our arduous recovery from Katrina.
Carolyn Little, with daughter Donna Schultz, holds a family photo of husband Charlie, son Chuck, herself, and daughters Laurie Little, Donna Little Schultz, and Christy Little.
Coming Home
LA Recovery Grant Opens Doors
ABy Charles D. Jackson
fter Hurricane Katrina destroyed Carolyn Little’s home in Arabi, and her husband, Charles, died two months later, feelings of grief, anger and frustration overwhelmed her. Gone were her daily routines, community connections and volunteer activities. “I wanted my life back. I knew it would be difficult, but I had to come back home,” she said.
While cleaning and gutting her recently paidoff ranch-style home, her son noticed the house swaying. “The foundation was gone,” Little said. Living on Social Security and retirement income, the widow had to find a way to build a new house. “My daughter said I can come and stay with them. But I wanted to go home. I wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem.”
DW Huff
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Little, while renting an apartment in Metairie, applied for a grant with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which the state Legislature established to lead recovery and rebuilding efforts after Katrina. “I got the full $150,000 in increments,” she said. “I found a company willing to build a modular home for $150,000.”
On New Year's Day, January 2008, she settled into her new three-bedroom, two-bath ranch style home on the same property she and her husband reared their family.
Little has her life back. At 88 years old, she still serves with her beloved St. Bernard Community Volunteers, raising money for scholarships; continues her 50-year routine of daily exercises, joining a small group of women weekdays at The Gathering; and enjoys activities and restaurants in the parish she’s called home since 1967.
Something good always comes out of something bad.
– Carolyn Little, longtime Arabi resident
Huff, CPA, PFS
Photo by Charles Jackson
Moving Away Northshore Feels Like ‘Home’
By Mike Caruso
When I was 10 years old, my parents and I moved to St. Bernard Parish – Arabi, to be exact. I loved it from day one. It was a wonderful place to grow up, make new friends and attend excellent schools. Much of my extended family had also moved to Arabi, so there was no shortage of fun things to do with all my cousins, aunts and uncles.
Later, while attending Chalmette High School, I met a wonderful young lady who also lived in Arabi. We dated for several years, fell in love and got married after college, and moved to a home in, of course, Arabi. St. Bernard seemed like the perfect place to raise our expected future family. Over the next three years my wife gave birth to a daughter and a son, and we had our dream family.
The children were very active in our church parish, played sports at the public playgrounds year-round, and received a fine education in local schools. My wife and I were very active in our church parish and in the larger community, and loved our life in St. Bernard.
Fast forward to August 29, 2005, the monstrous Hurricane Katrina swept through. It was a nightmare. In addition to devastating winds, the storm brought flood waters. About 15 feet of water rushed into my and my son’s houses in Arabi, and stayed there for several days. The homes were a total loss. There would be no going back.
My wife and I strongly considered rebuilding on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. We heard about several communities –Covington, Mandeville, Robert, and Abita Springs – made up mostly of people from St. Bernard who had fled after Katrina. It sounded so inviting to be able to live among others from the parish who shared our values of family and community. However, because I was working in the New Orleans business district, I didn’t want that long daily commute, so we moved to Metairie.
My son, Jeff, moved to Covington – “St. Bernard North” – soon after Katrina. A couple of years after retiring, I headed there, too. I no longer had to worry about storm surges, levees breaking, and disastrous flooding caused by the seemingly increasing number of strong hurricanes.
It's a comfort and a joy to have many former St. Bernardians living nearby, including several family members and friends. I frequently run into acquaintances from St. Bernard at church, stores, restaurants and groceries. It’s almost like being “home.”
Although my son maintains ties to St. Bernard as a leader in Knights of Columbus Archbishop Rummel Council 5747, I seldom visit the parish anymore; when I do the experience tends to be bittersweet, and often the bitter seems to outweigh the sweet. The novelist Thomas Wolfe said, “You can’t go home again.” How right he was!
Photo provided by Mike Caruso
Mike Caruso, right, and son Jeff are among several former Arabi residents who attend Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Covington, “St. Bernard North.”
Featuring Kristi L. LeBlanc,
Supporting Child’s Mental Health Starts At Home
Parents play a powerful role in nurturing a child’s emotional well-being. While pediatric care providers can help guide families through screenings, referrals and treatment, much of a child’s mental health is shaped by what happens at home through routines, relationships and everyday habits.
In recent years, anxiety, depression and behavioral challenges have become more common in children and teens. Stress from school, peer pressure, family instability and screen time overload are all contributing factors. The good news? Small, consistent changes at home can have a lasting impact.
Start by limiting screen time to no more than two hours per day. Excessive screen usage is linked to sleep issues, mood changes and reduced physical activity. Make it a family habit to power down screens at least one hour before bedtime to help your child wind down and improve sleep quality.
Encourage outdoor play and physical activity every day. Whether it’s riding bikes, playing sports or simply spending time in nature, being active helps reduce stress, boost mood and build confidence.
Most importantly, keep communication open. Let your child know it’s fine to talk about big feelings and that you’re there to listen without judgment. Pay attention to signs of withdrawal, changes in appetite or sleep, or loss of interest in things they normally enjoy. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts, and talk to your child’s pediatrician.
Your involvement makes a big difference. By creating a supportive, balanced home environment, you’re helping lay the foundation for your child’s lifelong mental wellness.
To schedule a pediatric primary care appointment with Kristi L. LeBlanc, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care, and Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist at Ochsner Health Center - St. Bernard, visit Ochsner.org/doctors/kristi-l-leblanc-cpnp or call 504-354-3116.
1. Classic VW Show - Glenn Koster, a resident of St. Bernard for 56 years, customizes his 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle and drives it all over the parish. On Nov. 1, he’ll participate in his group’s classic VW show, “Buggin The Big Easy,” at Docville Farm, 5124 E. St. Bernard Hwy., Violet. Hosted by New Orleans Air-Coolers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the charity event will showcase vintage and modern models of VW and Porsche. Owners of the brands are invited to display their rides.
2. Lifelong residents Samantha, left, Elizabeth, Jordan, Katie, and Shannan Mahler, front, spend time at a local restaurant before Samantha and Elizabeth return to Louisiana State University. Samantha is majoring in communications disorders and Elizabeth’s focus is biology pre-med.
3. Kevin and Hailey Mitchell moved from Oregon to St. Bernard Parish on April 24, 2024. “We came down here to visit and decided we wanted to move here,” Hailey said.
4. Lifelong residents Rusty, Rhett and Emily Alphonso enjoy family dinner at Crave in Meraux.
5. Calvin Armstrong, an employee of St. Bernard Parish Government Road Yard Division, relocated to Violet from Little Rock, Ark., in 2022.
6. Liam Lepine enters first grade at Gauthier Elementary. His favorite after-school hangout is his greatgrandparents’ restaurant, Penny’s Cafe, in Violet.
7. Lillian St. Amant, a student at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, is called the “Ida Baby“ by her mom, Brianne, because she was born on Aug. 30, 2021, the day the Category 4 hurricane struck St. Bernard Parish.
Faces of the Parish Newcomers
and Longtime Residents
3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2
Madison celebrated her 4th birthday in June with older sister Sophia and other family members at Crave.
8.
Leading th e Way i n K i d s '
Anthony Nguyen, MD Pediatrics
Ochsner Health Center - St. Bernard 8050 W Judge Perez Dr Chalmette, LA 504-826-9500
At St. Bernard Parish Hospital, our top priority is providing exceptional care for your exceptional kid. We offer a level of pediatric care unmatched across the region to help your family face anything, minor or major. Through our expert care, we are shaping a healthier future for our youngest patients close to home.
Visit ochsner.org/schedule to schedule an appointment.