Fifty-one St. Joseph’s Academy alumnae are members of their alma mater’s faculty/staff. They are, left to right, (front row) Brianna Pettijohn Sommers ’06, Alexandra Hedrick Arceneaux ’07, Melissa Bahlinger Brocato ’89, Jan Rhorer Breen ’69, Catherine Blanchard Parker ’17, Yvette Barbier Aillet ’09, (second row) Aimee Cronan ’96, Holly Villien Brown ’94, Denise Dickinson Brown ’00, Bonnie McKowen Rader ’01, Amanda Meyers Stinson ’01, Meagan Moore ’06, (third row) Chelsea Colomb ’07, Valerie Bordelon Brubaker ’95, Allison Hipwell Bruton ’95, Kelli Braud Wintz ’02, Lindsay Carlino ’02, Cherie Lato ’99, Sara Elisar McCann ’08, (fourth row) Andrea Matus ’19, Sara Catherine LeBlanc Buie ’15, Nicole Delaune Lane ’96, Courtney Malbrue ’97, Stephanie Faucette ’05, Suzie Toups Adler ’85, Kaki O’Connor Lowe ’04, (fifth row) Kate Butler Cook ’01, Christina Schott Lummen ’03, Noelle Shipley ’17, Megan Welsh ’17, Madeline Ortego ’18, Amy Panepinto Parker ’98, Jacqueline Barker Savoia ’02, Jennifer Menville Fontaine ’04, (sixth row) Kelsey Perry Baines ’06, Laura Flandez Bordelon ’12, Sara Tomeny Rounds ’99, Catherine Hudson Thefenne ’11, Kassi Samson ’13, Alli Bourgeois ’14, Victoria Hudson ’09 and Michelle Hagemann Lofland ’92.
Not pictured: Patrice Stevens Aiken ’70, Zoe Crawford ’20, Marie Claire Dalmau ’19, Cammie D’Amico ’19, Tina Vicari Grant ’81, Lauren Guy ’95, Ashley Reed Ledet ’88, Melissa Shaw ’96 and Kayla Telhiard ’15.
Connections is published three times per year by the St. Joseph’s Academy Communications and Mission Advancement offices. It is distributed free of charge to alumnae, parents and friends of the Academy. Alumnae news, story ideas, photographs and address changes should be sent to Connections, 3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-1198 or connections@sjabr. org. Call (225) 388-2258. Because of space limitations, we reserve the right to edit submitted news.
Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director
Jennifer Menville Fontaine '04 Digital Marketing & Analytics Director
Holly Browning Graphic Designer
Madeline Ortego ’18
Communications Assistant
Meg Gerald Mission Advancement Director
Alli Bourgeois ’14
Mission Advancement Assistant Director-Alumnae and Constituent Relations
Jennifer Knight
Mission Advancement Assistant Director-Events
Donna Blanc
Mission Advancement Database Manager
Wendy Coniglio
Mission Advancement Database Assistant
WE HAVE TRANSFORMATIVE MOMENTS IN OUR
LIVES
Throughout life, there are moments that transform us. In these moments, we experience a change that will forever impact the way we live, our relationships with others and the way we see the world.
Each of us has transformative events that have touched our lives. It may be loss – of a job, a spouse, a family member, a relationship or a friendship. It may be change – illness, disappointing outcomes, retiring, moving, aging, changing careers or jobs, watching children and grandchildren grow and leave, watching the world change before your eyes.
As these events unfold in our lives, it is important to open ourselves to the gift of our own rebirth. Through the pain and suffering of each change, a season of renewal and joy follows leading us to transformation and growth.
On our human journey, we experience hellos, goodbyes and hellos again. Life is about ebbs and flows. We experience many ups and downs in our emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in our lives. There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success. But throughout all of this, we are embraced by God’s love. Although there are difficulties in our daily lives, God remains faithful to us. We must not stay lost in the goodbyes of life but know that there is joy in the next journey, even when some days seem empty and there is a loss in our heart. Remember that after a goodbye, a hello awaits you again.
In the hellos of life, there is the ability to resurrect and to fill us with new life and a future that blesses us. From transformation comes wisdom from life’s experiences. We begin to see people and situations in a more positive light. We experience more joy and gladness of heart. Transformation becomes a gateway to a greater degree of gratitude in our lives which leads to fulfillment and satisfaction in everything we encounter. We are growing spiritually and finding peace.
Each of us has our own Pentecost, those moments when we can look back and know that we have finally walked out of our goodbye. It is in transformation that our losses no longer weigh us down all the time and influence our thoughts and feelings. We return to a gladness of life, a belief that God is guiding us for our purpose in life. We are here to fulfill our calling with fruitful work and to trust in God’s guidance.
Special people walk in and out of our lives and through our hearts. Each is a blessing that we experience and that changes and transforms us in our growth. We realize that God will be with us as a guiding source to love and sustain us through whatever hardships and heartaches life brings. Beautiful things are born in us with transformation.
There is a lesson in the missing tile syndrome. When we see a beautiful mosaic and there is a missing tile, we tend to focus only on the missing tile, the negative of what is missing in our lives. Look at all the other tiles and remember the overwhelming presence of all the positives in your life, all the remaining tiles that make this life beautiful.
In our lives, we may be called to help transform others. You may bring a new beginning, hope, gratitude, growth and an open heart to others. I believe God calls us to help others on their journey. On this path, sometimes painful growth occurs for all of us and prepares us for our own next steps in life. We are stronger, richer and more spiritual because of these moments.
Transformation is a continuous part of our life journey. We are always given the opportunity of rebirth, growth and hope. In our moments of transformation, consider the following:
Listen to what your inner voice is saying.
Gift yourself moments of kindness each day. Open yourself to helping people.
Trust in the power of God to recover from your goodbye. God gives us strength.
Jan Rhorer Breen '69
If we are open to solitude, silence and prayer, we experience a time of transformation. Henri Nouwen refers to solitude as the furnace of transformation. Spend time each day in solitude with God. It is a time one discovers not to worry about the past but embrace a loving and compassionate God.
In silence, we listen to our hearts where God dwells and the Holy Spirit. We learn to listen to the whispers of God speaking to us, guiding us as we make decisions and walking with us through the difficulties of life.
Solitude and silence bring us to prayer and a time to rest in God. We surrender ourselves to God and create a quiet space where we can dwell in God. Prayer opens us up to God’s active presence within us.
We are called to experience many transformations in our lives. We surrender, let go and open ourselves to the many moments of life, the risk of the future and the next unknown. We trust God with our lives and the gifts He has given us. Realize that God will be guiding us and sustaining us through the hardships and heartaches life may bring. Always remember God’s promise that there will be a hello again filled with joy, new life and a future that blesses each one of us.
“We are always given the opportunity of rebirth, growth and hope.”
SJA Unveils Tribute to Leaders
St. Joseph’s Academy unveiled a large mural paying tribute to the women who have led the school since its founding 156 years ago. The artwork, created by SJA Graphic Designer Holly Browning, was presented in an afternoon ceremony on August 6 attended by Sisters of St. Joseph, Bishop Michael Duca, members of the Academy’s administration and invited guests.
The mural, located between St. Joseph Hall and the Pennington Science Center, features the 20 women who have carried the mantle of leadership from November 4, 1868, to present day. In the early years, the Superior directed the school. Mother St. Michael Becknell formally added the new administrative position of a full-time principal in 1930. SJA moved to the president-principal model of administration in 2004.
Five leaders were in attendance at the unveiling ceremony: Sister Joan Laplace, who served as principal from 1968 to 1979; Sister Adele Lambert, who was named SJA’s first president in 2004 and served until 2012; Linda Fryoux Harvison ’66, who was SJA’s first lay principal, serving from 2004 to 2015; Stacia Andricain, who was named principal in 2017; and Jan Rhorer Breen ’69, who succeeded Sister Adele as SJA’s first lay president in 2012.
In addition to historic photographs, the mural features biographical details of each woman’s tenure. Research for the project was conducted by former SJA Archivist Sara Brignac and Communications Director Mindy Brodhead Averitt. Facilities Director Suzie Toups Adler ’85 oversaw the creation of the space for the mural’s location.
During the unveiling ceremony, Averitt explained the motivation behind creating the tribute. “Our leaders each represent an inspiring chapter in the rich and storied history of this institution, bringing gifts, vision and dedication to their work,” she said. “… Following the trails blazed by the leaders we honor today, our girls have learned by example that women can accomplish anything they set their hearts and minds to.”
Mission Integration Director Jade Spears led the gathering in prayer. Following the reveal, guests enjoyed a champagne toast courtesy of the Mission Advancement Office.
Sister Adele Lambert and Jan Rhorer Breen.
Former and current St. Joseph’s Academy administrators posed with Bishop Michael Duca following the unveiling of the mural honoring the school’s leaders throughout history. From left, they are Sister Joan Laplace, Linda Fryoux Harvison, Stacia Bordelon,
SJA Board Hosts 1868 Dinner
TO HONOR DONORS, SUPPORTERS
The St. Joseph’s Academy Board of Directors hosted The 1868 Dinner on August 26 at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel. The event honored Donor Society members, families and individuals establishing scholarships in the past year and those who served in volunteer leadership capacities. SJA’s Outstanding Alumnae for 2024 – Melanie Rose ’71 and Amy Cyrex Sins ’94 – were honored, as were Melanie and Johnny Boyce, the 2024 Spirit of SJA Award recipients.
SJA Board Chair Yolunda Taylor welcomed the large gathering and thanked them for the important role they play as partners in the Academy’s mission. She introduced emcee Nan Murtagh, a member of the SJA faculty and staff for 41 years.
A group of talented vocalists, under the direction of Danielle Laird, sang the blessing and performed a special tribute to the Outstanding Alumnae and Spirit of SJA Award recipients.
SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69 provided an update on some of the accomplishments of the past year, including the school’s fifth National Blue Ribbon award; the dedication of Pillars Plaza to symbolize the three pillars of the Academy’s mission statement; and SJA being named a STEM School of Excellence by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association for the second year in a row.
Breen said that the Endowed Scholarship program is at the heart of one of SJA’s most treasured traditions: offering need-based tuition assistance to deserving students and their families. This year, 154 young women are able to enjoy the gift of a Catholic education through the Endowed Scholarship program.
Principal Stacia Andricain thanked SJA’s many supporters for the countless opportunities they help provide for Academy students. She said members of the class of 2024 earned $38.55 million in scholarships and were offered admission by 152 colleges and universities. She said SJA students completed nearly 32,000 hours of community service during 2023-2024. She shared that SJA’s first-ever student-run business, St. Joe Dough, is now up and running and that SJA’s entrepreneurship program now has a full-time director. She also thanked community partners Will and Beth Pecue and Danny and Melony Fields for their support.
Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald announced that four new scholarships were established in the SJA Foundation during the past year: The Penny Hallman Choral Music Scholarship; The Morello-Hebert Family Scholarship; The Dr. Carmen Posada-Pepper and the Marshall St. Amant Family Scholarship; and The Dr. and Mrs. Myron A. Walker Scholarship.
Thanked for their work as chairs of SJA’s fundraisers were, from left, Ron McDaniel (Sticker Scramble), Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 (SJA Pickleball Tournament), Sara Brignac (The Soirée) and Patricia Brignac Talbot ’84 (Tennis Classic). Ron also served as president of the 2023-2024 SJA Dads’ Club. continued on next page
Dr. Yolunda Taylor, chairwoman of the SJA Board of Directors, welcomed the large gathering to The 1868 Dinner on August 26.
SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69, far left, and Principal Stacia Andricain, far right, pose with Outstanding Alumna Melanie Rose ’71, Spirit of SJA Awardees Melanie and John Boyce and Outstanding Alumna Amy Cyrex Sins ’94.
Kathy Morello, who recently established a scholarship in the SJA Foundation, poses with SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69.
SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69 poses with Suzette Fourrier Howe ’73, who worked with a group of SJA and Catholic High graduates to establish The Penny Hallman Choral Music Scholarship.
Gerald thanked the volunteer leadership of the SJA Annual Fund for 2023-2024: Krista and Chris Valluzzo, Parents Annual Fund; Dyra Culotta Hughes ’66 and Anglyn Hughes Brown ’89, Alumnae Annual Fund; Sarah and Shane Morrison, Friends & Grandparents Annual Fund; and Nan Murtagh, Pat O’Hara and Brad Buras, Faculty/Staff Annual Fund.
Also recognized were the new members of SJA’s donor societies in attendance, including new Mother Alice Society members Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Heroman, Dr. Karen LaCroix, Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Lato and Dr. and Mrs. David P. Nussbaumer III; new 1868 Society members Mr. Donald and Dr. Paula Elliott, Ms. Ann Felice Fourrier, Mr. and Mrs. David L. Landers, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor K. Messenger and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Pastorek; and new Shield Society members Mr. and Mrs. Henri M. Saunders.
Members of the Father Jean-Pierre Médaille Society in attendance were recognized and thanked. They were Mr. and Mrs. John C. Boyce, The Congregation of St. Joseph, CSJ Ministries, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, Elaine and Randy Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Morgan, Sarah and Shane Morrison, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Will and Beth Pecue, Dorren Schmitt, SJA Alumnae Association, SJA Dads’ Club and SJA Mothers’ Club.
New Father Jean-Pierre Medaille Society members Horace and Michelle Mitchell and Charles Valluzzo were recognized.
Members of the Legacy Society in attendance were also thanked. They were Sharon Juneau Daroca, Gail Gaiennie, Anita Parsons King, Kathy Morello, Kathryn Trick Mount, Linda Bogan Pippins, Melanie Rose, Kristy Roubique and Dorren Schmitt.
SJA graduates who were previously honored as Outstanding Alumnae are (front row, left to right) Alice Dugas Greer ’66, Jan Rhorer Breen ’69, Tara Nolan Messenger ’70, Lorna Bourg ’60, Sister Adele Lambert ’54, Elise Gauthier Fryou ’57, Barbara McManus ’66, Patsy Lambert Brignac ’51, Sister Lucy Silvio ’59, Debbie Kleinpeter Gelpi ’77, (back row) Ann Felice Fourrier ’69, Karen Ortego LaCroix ’73, Dorothy Bowers McCaughey ’64, Karen Williams Lewis ’71, Kellie Michelli Barton ’86, Kathleen Plaisance Balhoff ’66, 2024 honorees Amy Cyrex Sins ’94 and Melanie Rose ’71, Kristy Roubique ’76, Paula Bogan Drone ’77, Grace Guttner Anderson ’69 and Patricia Brignac Talbot ’84.
Ron McDaniel and Whitney Graves were thanked for their service as 2023-2024 Dads’ Club and Mothers’ Club presidents, respectively. Also thanked were the chairpersons of SJA’s fundraisers in attendance: Sara Brignac, The Soirée; Patricia Brignac Talbot, SJA Tennis Classic; Katie Jeter Valenciano, SJA Pickleball Tournament; and Ron McDaniel, Parents’ Back-to-School Dance and Sticker Scramble.
Breen recognized former recipients of the Outstanding Alumnae award in attendance, including Suzie Toups Adler, Grace Guttner Anderson, Kathy Plaisance Balhoff, Kellie Michelli Barton, Lorna Bourg, Patsy Lambert Brignac, Paula Bogan Drone, Ann Felice Fourrier, Elise Gauthier Fryou, Debbie Kleinpeter Gelpi, Alice Dugas Greer, Karen Ortego LaCroix, Sister Adele Lambert, Ellen Bogan Lee, Karen Williams Lewis, Dorothy Bowers McCaughey, Barbara McManus, Tara Nolan Messenger, Kristy Roubique, Sister Lucy Silvio and Patricia Brignac Talbot.
Tribute videos produced by Erin Barrilleaux Albarado ’07 and Communications Director Mindy Brodhead Averitt introduced Outstanding Alumnae Melanie Rose and Amy Cyrex Sins as well as Melanie and Johnny Boyce, the 2024 Spirit of SJA Award recipient.
Mission Integration Director Jade Spears led the closing prayer.
and Michelle
Whitney Ourso Graves ’95 served as president of the SJA Mothers’ Club for 20232024. She is pictured with SJA President Jan Rhorer
are
The leaders of the four components of the 2023-2024 Annual Fund campaign in attendance were Brad Buras and Pat O’Hara, Faculty & Staff Annual Fund; Dyra Culotta Hughes ’66, Alumnae Annual Fund; Shane and Sarah Morrison, Friends & Grandparents Annual Fund; Chris and Krista Valluzzo, Parents Annual Fund; and Nan Murtagh, Faculty & Staff Annual Fund.
Breen ’69.
Dr. Horace
Mitchell
new members of the Father Jean-Pierre Medaille Society. They are pictured with SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69.
4.
Outstanding Alumnae for 2024
As a student at St. Joseph’s Academy, Melanie Rose ’71 was so respected by her classmates that they named her the Outstanding Graduate of the Class of 1971. She would go on to Louisiana State University, where she was one of a handful of women to earn a degree in computer science. Melanie joined IBM Corporation in 1974, holding various positions in systems engineering, product development and product management. She wrote software for one of the first ATM installations, worked on a team that spearheaded IBM’s entry into internet banking and helped roll out new storage virtualization technology (the predecessor to cloud computing). After a stellar 31-year career as a pioneer and role model in the field of technology, Melanie retired in 2005 as a vice president of product management.
After serving as a consultant for two high-tech startups, Melanie retired in earnest in 2009, turning her focus and energies to philanthropy.
With the American Red Cross, Melanie served on the board of directors of the Connecticut/Rhode Island Chapter, worked as the coordinator of disaster volunteers for more than 300 people and served on the Disaster Action Team handling local fires, floods and snowstorms. After relocating to south Florida in 2015, she now serves as a disaster volunteer, instructor and shelter supervisor, deploying nationally
following Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Ian, the Miami building collapse and the school shooting at Sandy Hook.
Melanie co-founded Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope in 2009. She serves as president of the foundation, which supports organizations that provide food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education and assistance for women in business. She is active with a number of the organizations Perna-Rose Foundation supports, including a nonprofit that assists the underserved in Nicaragua; Champions for Learning, where she serves on the Teacher Grant Review Committee and is a judge for the High School Entrepreneurial Program in the Collier County School District; Masaii Girls Education Foundation, which provides high school and college scholarships to Kenyan young women; Fostering Success, which supports nearly 1,000 children and young adults in foster care through tutoring, mentoring, school supplies and enrichment programs; and Grace Place, teaching digital literacy to adults.
Melanie is also passionate about animal welfare. She is an avid supporter of Everglades Angels, which rescues dogs that have been abandoned in the Florida Everglades. She also visited patients at the Naples Community Hospital with her dog, Rocco, with whom she partnered as a pet therapy team.
After graduating from St. Joseph’s Academy, Amy Cyrex Sins ’94 attended Loyola University New Orleans, earning a degree in communications in 1998. Twenty-five years later, Loyola would name her the recipient of its 2023 Integritas Vitae Award, one of the highest honors the university bestows. The accolade recognizes those living a “life of integrity.”
Among the defining moments of Amy’s life took place as Hurricane Katrina barreled ashore in south Louisiana. When the levees around New Orleans failed, Amy lost everything to the flood waters. In the days and weeks that followed, as she was often helped by strangers, Amy became determined to “pay it forward.” She developed a plan for quick and effective disaster relief and eventually founded Fill the Needs, a nonprofit which mobilizes a network of partners and volunteers to assess and coordinate resources to immediately impact the lives of people facing natural and man-made disasters. Fill the Needs then supports ongoing relief efforts through funding, supplies and support.
In the months following Hurricane Katrina, Amy wrote Ruby Slippers Cookbook to chronicle life in her beloved New Orleans. She also began to focus on what she wanted to do with her life. Reading the story of Madame Langlois, who
cooked for the French governor of Louisiana in the early 1700s, Amy decided to leave her sales and marketing career to pursue her passion for cooking, teaching and entertaining. She renovated an 1860s building in the Marigny and opened Langlois in 2012. The restaurant/ cooking school was billed as an “interactive Cajun and Creole dining experience.”
With its success, Amy decided to evolve past Langlois’ brick-and-mortar confines and, with her team, take the show on the road, hosting interactive demonstrations and corporate teambuilding VIP events. Amy is a sought-after inspirational speaker, known for her compelling talks on leadership, problem-solving and disaster relief. Drawing from her personal experiences and extensive work in disaster management, Amy inspires business groups to lead with resilience and creativity.
Amy is also a Louisiana culinary historian and radio show host. In addition to Fill the Needs, she is involved with several New Orleans charities, including Son of a Saint and Second Harvest Food Bank. She has been honored as a “Southerner of the Year” by Southern Living magazine, a Les Dames D'Escoffier Woman of Purpose nominee, a Global New Orleans Citizen Diplomat of the Year and a 2023 State of Louisiana Champion of Service Award winner.
SJA students gathered in the orchard for the dedication of the sacred green space to the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Melanie and John Boyce have lent their dedicated support to St. Joseph’s Academy since 1989. John is a former member of the SJA Foundation board of directors and served on the school’s Development and Scholarship committees. He helped establish the SJA Board of Directors Scholarship. Melanie was a guidance counselor at the Academy.
Spirit of SJA Award Winners for 2024
Melanie and John help support the school’s annual operating budget with gifts to the Annual Fund, and they have given their time to the school’s fundraising efforts by serving as the chair couple for the Friends Annual Fund. In short, the Boyces are always quick to say “yes” whenever they are asked for help.
In 2018, Melanie and John established The BoyceDittmar Scholarship in honor of their daughters and granddaughters who are Academy graduates. Daughter Millicent Boyce Dittmar is a member of the class of 1989, and daughter Jessica Boyce Doiron graduated in 1991. Granddaughter Wellesley Dittmar graduated in 2016, and granddaughter Amelia Dittmar graduated in 2019.
Millicent said the Academy holds a special place in her heart. “Not only did it prepare me for my entrance into college and adulthood with an excellent education and solid Catholic teachings, but it has now done the same for my girls,” she said. “To watch them grow into strong, well-educated Catholic women who are ready to meet their next challenges in life has been one of my greatest life experiences to date.”
Jessica said an Albert Einstein quote – “Education is not the learning of facts but the training of minds to think.” – summarizes what the Academy meant to her. “SJA prepared me for life, not only academically, but with a sense of community and moral responsibility,” she said. “I am thankful for the values that were instilled in me at SJA.”
Wellesley said she can’t overstate the role SJA has played in her life. “It prepared me incredibly well for college by giving me confidence and book smarts, taught me to recognize my worth as a female and as a Catholic and, most importantly, it exposed me to science and technology early and often,” she said. “There isn’t a better high school.”
Amelia said her SJA education was rewarding and inspirational. “The Academy provided me with a community that will be with me wherever I go and gave me a legacy that I am proud to be a part of,” she said. “It has been not only a place that broadened my educational horizons, but a place that taught me the meaning of unity with my fellow sisters.”
Parents Enjoy Back-to-School Dance
Nearly 300 parents of St. Joseph’s Academy students welcomed the start of the 2024-2025 school year with an adults-only Back-to-School Dance on Saturday, August 10, in the Academy Student Center. The fun-filled evening was sponsored by the SJA Dads’ Club.
Parents danced the night away to the sounds of The Chee-Weez and enjoyed great food by SAGE Dining Services and an open bar with beer, wine and margaritas.
Hudson Lemoine, father of Ava ’22 and Hope Lemoine ’27, served as co-chair of the event’s planning committee. “The Parents’ Back-to-School Dance was a great way to kick off the new school year,” he said. “You know it must have been a good party when the lights came up and most of the guests were still there. This is an event you don’t want to miss.”
Craig Herpin, father of Emma ’26 and Elizabeth ’28, also served on the planning committee. “Melissa and I had a blast,” he said. “It’s always great meeting new parents and seeing familiar faces enjoying themselves. We’re looking forward to next year.”
Bar sponsors were Rori and Chris Adams and Ashley (Hebert ’88) and Ron McDaniel. Dance floor sponsor was Audi of Baton Rouge. The bar included inkind donations from Coca-Cola Bottling Company, L’Auberge Casino Hotel, Mockler Beverage and Superior Grill.
Door prizes were donated by Stine Lumber and TopGolf.
Joining Lemoine and Herpin on the planning committee were Ron McDaniel, Chris Adams, Lawrence Alwood, Trey Bargas, Mike Battle, Scott Fargason, John Paul Funes, Barry Guidry and Alton Melancon. Meg Gerald is moderator of the SJA Dads’ Club.
SJA Soirée: A Redsticker Thursday Night Enjoys
Parents, alumnae, faculty/staff and friends of St. Joseph’s Academy gathered on campus on the evening of October 24 for The SJA Soirée: A Redsticker Thursday Night. The Academy’s premier fundraising event was enjoyed by nearly 600 guests, a Soirée record, and raised money for campus-wide enhancements to benefit the young women of SJA.
Guests enjoyed a night of live and silent auctions, raffles, games, bourbon and champagne tastings, great food and drinks by area restaurants and caterers and live music by the Peyton Falgoust Band. The Fife Student Commons and Investar Quad provided a wonderful venue on a beautiful autumn evening.
St. Joseph’s Academy owes a debt of gratitude to the individuals and organizations who sponsored The SJA Soirée: A Redsticker Thursday Night. Sanctity-level sponsors were Audi Baton Rouge and Franklin Press. Joy-level sponsors were Sigma Engineers & Constructors, Weiler Plastic Surgery Group and Parish Pets. Action-level sponsors were SEMS Inc. and Cypress Title.
Red-level sponsors were Ascension Premier Dental; Associates in Women’s Health; Dr. Barry Bohn; Sarah and Greg Fautheree; Firequest; First National Bankers Bank; GL Sullivan Sr. Contractor; Johnson Controls Inc.; Dr. Jimmy Lalonde - BROC Foot and Ankle / Dr. Elise Scallan –LENTS; Manasseh, Gill, Knipe & Bélanger; Palm Family Dentistry; Relief Windows; Ritter Maher Architects; and Svendson Investments.
White-level sponsors were Alamanack Investment Partners; Farrah and Derek Benedetto; Bug Man; Capital Area Finance Authority; Mary (Kadair ’76) and Jamey Crump; Decision Critical; Christine and Milton Dureau; Grace Hebert Curtis Architects; Hannis T. Bourgeois; Quanah and Christian Hall; Dr. Trang Huynh and Dr. David Kirsch; Investar Bank; Laville Cabinets Inc.; Louisiana First Horizon Foundation; Anne and Tom Meek; Linda Messina; Nussbaumer Family; Prescriptions to Geaux; Blair and Jim Purgerson; Raymond James & Associates Inc.; Rejuvime Medical; Harry Robert Family; Kristy Roubique ’76; Laurie and Hank Saurage; School Time Uniforms; Sherman & Balhoff Orthodontics; Sonnier Fine Art; and Lisa Veron.
Food was donated by Louisiana Crave-A-Ball, MG Miller Photography LLC, Hanley’s Foods, SAGE Dining Services, Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine, Monjuni Italian Cafe & Grocery, MoMo Tea, SoLou, Solera, Chow Main, Barracuda Taco Stand, Ichiban Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar, Southern Pearl Oyster House, St. Joe Dough and Serop’s Café.
Great Success
The Soirée planning committee was chaired by Missy Heck Brown ’94 and Lauren Heck Odom ’00, P ’28. Past chair was Sara Brignac P ’25, ’28.
Committee members were Mary Kadair Crump ’76, P ’02 (sponsorship chair), Stacy Root Koch ’81 (sponsorship committee), Ana Lambert Froelich ’00, P ’28 (sponsorship committee), Kim Morgan P ’00, ’05, GP ’26, ’28 (silent auction co-chair), Lindsay Morgan Duncan ’00, P ’26, ’28 (silent auction co-chair), Amy Radle Fasullo ’92, P ’14, ’26 (silent auction committee), Jenna Fuselier P ’23, ’28 (silent auction committee), Bridgette Homer P ’24, ’26 (silent auction committee), Cheryl Loar P ’28 (silent auction committee), Mary Miller Miller ’85, P ’16 (silent auction committee), Kristi Spinosa P ’26 (silent auction committee), Crystal Thibodeaux P ’28 (silent auction committee), Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 (restaurant co-chair), Kim Wong Kwan ’79, P ’10 (restaurant co-chair), Hannah Gonzales Anseman ’19 (marketing chair), Lana Malone P ’25 (beverage chair), Beth Couvillion P ’25 (beverage chair), Caroline Delahaye P ’28 (beverage chair), Katie Blouin Guillot ’96, P ’23, ’25 (beverage chair), Nicole Jones ’16 (mystery box co-chair), Fallon Gerald Tullier ’16 (mystery box co-chair), Corey Braud Toups ’86 (mystery box committee), Marcy Prejean Maurer ’91, P ’22 (decorations chair) and Michelle Mitchell P ’12, ’13, ’16 (silent and live auction committee).
SJA employees assisting the planning committee were Meg Gerald P ’13, ’16 (mission advancement director), Jennifer Knight P ’18 (assistant director of advancement – events), Mindy Brodhead Averitt (communications director), Jennifer Menville Fontaine ’04 (digital marketing and analytics director) and Holly Sonnier Browning (graphic designer).
Enjoying the Soirée were Sister Cynthia Sabathier, Sister Lucy Silvio, Sister Marie Hogan, Sister Adelaide Williamson, Sister Helen Skormisley, Sister Sue Torgersen and Sister Evelyn Mee.
SJA Hosts Grandparents of Seniors, Freshmen
The St. Joseph’s Academy Mission Advancement Office celebrated the special bond between grandparents and their granddaughters during on-campus gatherings this fall.
September 16-20 was Senior Grandparents Week. Grandparents joined their senior granddaughters for lunch in the Mother Alice Hall Community Room prepared by SAGE Dining Services. Following lunch, they enjoyed campus tours and posed for family photographs by Communications Assistant Madeline Ortego ’18. Assisting with meal service were members of the SJA Mothers’ Club and Alumnae Association.
Senior Ainsley Brignac and her grandparents, from left, Bob and Mary Lobos, Pam Brignac, Maryanna Pelkowski and Kyle Brignac.
Senior Caroline Roussel and her grandparents, Margaret and Robert Schonberg.
Senior Layla Benson and her grandparents, Lloyd Benson Sr. and Delberta Benson.
Senior Irianna Holmes and her grandmother, Linda Harleaux.
Senior Abigail Marbury and her grandparents, Janell and Larry Woods and Rusty and Debbie Marbury.
Senior Victoria Seeling and her grandfather, Dewitt Watts.
Grandparents of SJA freshmen and students new to SJA joined their granddaughters for lunch on October 14 in the Academy Student Center. Guests enjoyed jambalaya, salad and bread prepared by Ronnie’s Boudin. Members of the SJA Mothers’ Club provided cookies for dessert and helped serve the meal. After lunch, grandparents and granddaughters posed for family pictures by Kleinpeter Photography and toured campus.
Senior Ainsley Graves and her grandparents, Jane and David Ourso.
Senior Elizabeth Singleton and her grandparents, Ella Smith and James and Eleanor Bunch.
Freshman Macey Powell and her grandmother, Elizabeth Wester.
Freshman Kathryn Carby and her grandparents, Philip and Stella Carby.
Freshman Gianna Canezaro and her grandparents, Elaine and Glynn Canezaro and Joe and Joanne Ruffino.
Freshman Khloe Trahan and her grandparents, Ronnie and Glenda Smith.
Freshman Bella Gomez and her grandmother, Fatemeh Malekian.
Freshman Maddy Migliacio and her grandparents, Sandra and David Prestridge.
Freshman Aashi Desai and her grandmother, Jyoti Desai.
Freshman A’Lana Turner and her grandparents, Cherlynn Turner and Denise and Ronald Gauthreaux.
Freshman Ainsley Battle and her grandmothers, Frances Billeaud and Joanie Battle.
Freshman Cassie Zecchel and her grandmother, Harrilyn Tolbert.
Freshman Melody Guillot and her grandparents, Nancy and Jerry Guillot.
Second Annual Pickleball Tournament Enjoys Success
The second-annual St. Joseph’s Academy Pickleball Tournament, hosted by the SJA Alumnae Association on September 14 and 15, enjoyed great success. A sold-out field of 91 teams enjoyed two days of competition, food, fellowship and fun in the Academy Student Center and Activity Center.
The tournament was open to women’s, men’s and mixed doubles
by Audi of Baton
Bourgeois ’14 said that the tournament tournament,” she said. “I am excited to see it continue flourishing in the years to come. It was a fantastic weekend, bringing together the pickleball community and SJA alumnae on campus. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of our participants, sponsors, volunteers, committee members and Student Ambassadors for making it possible.”
Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 returned for a second year as chair of the tournament planning committee. She, too, was excited by the community’s response. “The tournament raised almost double that of our inaugural year in 2023,” she said. “As an Academy alumna, it is always so great being back on campus, especially for a game that brings back so many memories from our PE days at SJA. It was fantastic being able to host players of all abilities, beginners to pros, and I hope next year to see some more familiar alumnae faces as the sport continues to grow in popularity.”
SJA thanks the sponsors of this year’s Pickleball Tournament. Gold Sponsors were B1Bank, Bustle Bridal, HydroScapes and Queen of Sparkles. Red Sponsors were Amy Andrews Wealth Management of Raymond James, BRDP – Baton Rouge Digital Products, Guarantee Restoration Services, Ideal Vision Care, Wampold Dentistry, Wardlaw, Lasseigne & LeBouef, LLC and Westmoreland Asset Management of Raymond James. White Sponsors were Calvin’s Market at Bocage, Celebrity Theatres, Coleman Partners Architects, Drs. Levy & Vutera Family Dentistry, Himmel’s Architectural Door & Hardware, Lanoix Team with GMFS Mortgage NMLS #2005429, Quality Engineering and Surveying, SJA Dads’ Club, SweetSpot and ZeeZee’s Kitchen and Cocktails.
In-Kind Sponsors were Capitol City Produce, Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, Community Coffee, Crescent Crown Distributing, Gouda Geaux, Ideal Vision Care, New York Bagel, PointBands, Ronnie’s Boudin, Smalls Sliders, Smoothie King, SweetSpot and Queen of Sparkles.
Valenciano was assisted in planning the tournament by committee members Amy Andrews ’06, Cora Barhorst ’17, Lucille Bourgeois, Lisa Westmoreland Collier ’81, Victoria Funes ’20, Kimberly Kwan ’10, Ashley Ledet ’88, Margaret Miller ’82 and Grace Ragland ’14.
Providing invaluable assistance over the course of two days were Trudy Trahan and Kim Kwan ’79.
Scholarship Established in SJA Foundation
Kerry and Phyllis “Cookie” Uffman established the Uffman and Eldredge Family Scholarship in the SJA Foundation. The Uffmans, who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, established the scholarship to commemorate the successes enjoyed by their daughter and granddaughters who attended or are currently attending St. Joseph’s Academy.
The Uffmans’ daughter, Becky Uffman Eldredge ’98, is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator and author of two award-winning books: The Inner Chapel (Loyola Press, April 2020) and Busy Lives and Restless Souls (Loyola Press, March 2017). She leads a ministry that offers spiritual direction, resources and retreats rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
While Becky was a student at SJA, Cookie was an active member of the SJA Mothers’ Club, and Kerry served on various financial committees.
Their eldest granddaughter, Ella Uffman, graduated in 2023 and is now a student at Louisiana State University. Two granddaughters, Abby Eldredge and Audrey Uffman, are currently sophomores at SJA. Three more granddaughters hope to attend SJA in the future.
“We want our daughter and granddaughters’ individual successes inspired by SJA to be available to other young girls, particularly those girls needing financial assistance,” Kerry said. “We want them to have the opportunity to receive that experience.”
Kerry and Cookie began dating while students at a public high school. As they started college at LSU, they met students from a variety of high schools and backgrounds. “While we received a very good education from our public school, we felt the students we met from SJA and Catholic High School seemed to have a great amount of confidence
and character,” Kerry said. “Later, when we married and decided to have children, we wanted to send them to Catholic schools so that they could receive that extra character-building experience.”
Cookie said that their granddaughters are grateful for their SJA experiences. Ella said she was well prepared for college. Abby and Audrey love their teachers and the countless opportunities available to them. They also feel supported and challenged to accomplish their goals.
“We feel so very blessed that our children and now some of our grandchildren have been able to receive amazing educations at St. Thomas More, St Aloysius, Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s Academy,” Kerry said. “We deeply appreciate the love, guidance and dedication of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the faculty and staff of these schools. Our hope is to provide others with that same gift.”
The Uffmans said that today’s young women not only need to be prepared for their futures with strong spiritual character and personal fortitude, but they also need more advanced skills at a younger age to become strong, independent-minded women. “It is our prayer that SJA continues to create the spiritual and academic foundation that will prepare each of her graduates to take on life with a determined strength and confidence,” Kerry said.
The Uffmans and their grandchildren. Not pictured is Ella Uffman, a 2023 SJA graduate.
Like Mother, Like Daughter:
GRADUATES JOIN THEIR MOMS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Three St. Joseph’s Academy graduates have followed in their mothers’ footsteps, not only in their choice of professions, but in their specialties and clinics, as well.
Dr. Lauren Petit, a 2011 SJA graduate, joined the Baton Rouge Clinic’s Dermatology Department in September of 2023. Her mother, Dr. Jan Wampold, has been a member of the same department since 1991.
Lauren’s favorite classes at SJA were Biology with Linda Messina and Calculus with Jamal Tajdaran. She carried her love of science and math to Louisiana State University, graduating in 2015. She earned her medical degree from LSU Health and Science Center in 2019. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Brookwood Baptist Health in Birmingham in 2020 and her residency in dermatology at the LSU Health and Science Center in 2023. She served as chief resident in 2022-2023.
Jan graduated from LSU in 1979 and earned her medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1984. She performed her internal medicine residency at Emory University in Atlanta from 1984 to 1987 and her residency in dermatology through LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, completing the program in 1991.
Lauren grew up in a household in which both parents were physicians. “Having them as role models is what brought me into medicine,” she said. “I saw how rewarding it is to use your skills to help patients every day.”
When Lauren joined the Baton Rouge Clinic, she moved into her mother’s old office. Having visited her mother’s workplace throughout her youth, the opportunity to assume the very same space was “a dream come true.” So was the experience of being taught by her mother, who also serves as an assistant professor with the LSU Dermatology Department, while she was in residency.
Jan said working with her daughter is a blessing. “I love the practice of dermatology, and I am so happy that she chose this field,” Jan said. “Of course, I was thrilled that she joined me at the Baton Rouge Clinic. I love when she visits me at lunch or between patients to discuss cases or just talk. I am so happy that I can give her input from my past experiences, and she enhances my practice with her new ideas.”
Lauren agrees. “I love working alongside my mom and getting to see her almost every day,” she said. “I can always go to her with questions, and she has lots of experience to learn from. We love to just chat and hang out on our lunch breaks, too.”
SAVE THE DATE TENNIS CLASSIC
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 21-23, 2025 Bocage Racquet Club, Baton Rouge
Proceeds benefit the SJA Tennis Classic Scholarship, offering need-based tuition assistance to deserving students and their families.
Dr. Meaghan Flechas Smith, a 2012 SJA graduate, joined her mother, Dr. Michelle Langlinais Flechas, herself an Academy graduate (class of 1985), at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Pediatrics at Perkins, part of the Children’s Hospital network.
Meaghan graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2016. She earned a master of biology, medical sciences degree from Mississippi College in 2017. In 2021, she earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Shreveport. She completed her residency in 2024 in the department of pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she founded the Intern Mentorship Program.
Michelle majored in microbiology/pre-med at Louisiana State University and graduated from LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine in 1993. She completed her pediatric residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1997. In April of that year, she joined the Pediatric Medical Center, since renamed Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Pediatrics at Perkins.
Meaghan’s favorite classes at SJA were Pre-calculus with Jamal Tajdaran, Algebra with Ellen Bush, Health and Physical Education Fun Intense Training (FIT) with Liz Fontenot and Spanish IV with Ileana Alonso. She was a member of the SJA soccer team.
Michelle’s favorite classes were Biology with Sister Jean Fryoux and Chemistry with Sister Ursula Harelson. “They gave me a love for science and a great foundation to go into medicine,” Michelle said. “When I was in medical school, we were only 30 percent female. SJA gave me the confidence that I would be successful.”
Meaghan said practicing with her mother is a dream come true. “She is the one who inspired me to go into pediatrics,” she said. “For as long as I can remember, I have been shadowing my mom at work. I even did my St. Joseph’s Job Shadow Day with one of her partners, whose practice I’ll be taking over once he officially retires. I have learned so much from her over the years, and I’m absolutely thrilled to finally be working alongside her.”
“I am so proud that my daughter has joined my practice,” Michelle said.
“I am so proud that my daughter has joined my practice.”
Dr. Michelle Langlinais Flechas '85 and Dr. Meaghan Flechas Smith '12
Dr. Kate Ford Chiasson, a 2004 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, co-founded Ford Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with her mother, Dr. Ann Ford Reilley, in September of 2020. The duo is one of the few mother-daughter plastic surgery practices in the country.
Kate, whose father was also a physician, graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2008 and earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport in 2012. She performed her general surgery internship and residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, completing the program in 2017. She completed her fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020, then moved home to Baton Rouge to open her practice. She specializes in breast and body contouring surgery as well as breast reconstruction.
Ann graduated from Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, then earned her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University. She earned her medical degree from LSU Medical School. She did her general surgery training with LSU at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, then traveled to Nashville for her plastic surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University. She returned to Baton Rouge to join Associates in Plastic Surgery in the summer of 1985. She retired in 2015 after a 30-year career but returned to the workforce five years later to serve as advisor and to assist Kate in selected cases.
“Being in practice with my mom means having a business partner who 10,000 percent has my back all the time,” Kate said. “There is total trust. There is no business partner in the world who understands my professional and personal needs and dreams as well as my own mom. She is so selfless and giving of herself to the practice, all because she hopes for my success. We call her the CEO, chief enthusiasm officer. She had such a long and successful career, and it brings me so much joy to be able to care for her former patients now as their needs change. We love having a family business.”
Ann made history as the first woman in Louisiana to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the only woman to be elected as president of the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. She said she loves working hand in hand with her daughter. “It gives me great pleasure to spend time with Kate in the clinic and the operating room,” Ann said. “I am filled with pride to see how skilled she is as a surgeon, to see how much her peers respect her and to see that her patients are so grateful for her compassionate care. Because we are of different generations, we combine my years of experience with her knowledge of the latest techniques and innovations in our specialty. Between the two of us, we have over 50 years in the operating room.”
Kate said it was difficult to narrow her list of favorite SJA classes to just a few but said she especially enjoyed French with Marie Richard, Glynis Davis and Jacqueline Labat; English with Janie Simmons; Geometry with Kathy Meares; Calculus with Jamal Tajdaran; and Fine Arts
Graduate, Junior Connect Over Shared Love of Bowling
They met under difficult circumstances, but for a St. Joseph’s Academy junior and an alumna who graduated nearly 20 years ago, the connection was immediate.
Molly Milligan would accompany her mother, Anita, to her chemotherapy sessions as she battled breast cancer. Samantha Wall Blalock, a 2005 graduate, was one of Anita’s oncology nurses. Molly and Samantha soon discovered that they had several things in common.
“Part of what I love about being an oncology nurse is the connections you build with your patients and their family members,” Samantha said. “You actually get to know one another, and the conversations are fluid from visit to visit. Mrs. Anita, Molly and I were discussing summer plans, and they told me they were supposed to be up north for a bowling competition but had opted to stay in town because of everything going on. I laughed and said, ‘Oh yeah? I was on the bowling team in high school.’ They said, ‘Where?’ I said, ‘SJA.’ They responded, ‘No way!’”
Molly is a three-year member of the SJA bowling team, and Samantha was a member of the very first bowling team at SJA, established in 2003 by now-Principal Stacia Andricain and former faculty member Hildreth Bean. “I told Mrs. Anita and Molly that my friends and I joined on a whim,” Samantha said. “None of us had any bowling experience, but we knew it’d be fun with Bean and Stacia as the coaches.”
Despite being a newcomer to the sport, Samantha was named the Most Valuable Bowler in 2004 and was a member of the 175 Club in 2005. Molly was named to the All-District Second Team in 2023 and the All-District First Team in 2024. She was also one of four SJA bowlers to qualify for the 2024 state singles championship tournament.
Making the connection was especially meaningful to Molly. Having a fellow Sticker Sister by her side helped her stay strong for her mother. “She was always kind and made us laugh,” Molly said.
Samantha said that connecting with Molly over a shared high school and sport helped make Anita’s infusion time a little easier. “My number one priority as a nurse is to make the patient and family feel at home and a little less overwhelmed,” Samantha said. “Our patients are under enough stress, so anything I can do to lessen that is a win in my book.”
Samantha said she particularly enjoyed learning how much the bowling program has grown since its formative years. She found her bowling jersey and brought it to the clinic so she and Molly could pose for a picture. The relationship with Molly and Anita evoked wonderful memories of her high school years. “I am so proud to be an SJA alum,” Samantha said. “The values, knowledge and friends I gained in high school made me the woman I am today.”
Molly found more than a compassionate healthcare provider. She also found an inspiration. “It’s great that SJA has so many successful graduates,” she said.
Molly Milligan and Sam Blalock pose in their SJA bowling jerseys.
Graduate Enjoys Summer Internship on Capitol Hill
Katie Belle Rothkamm, a 2021 St. Joseph’s Academy graduate, spent the summer of 2023 as an intern for U.S. Congressman Garret Graves. The experience was so impactful that she knew she wanted to return to Capitol Hill for the summer of 2024.
Katie Belle applied for an internship with the office of Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and was accepted for the position. In her role, she was responsible for setting up meetings between the Speaker and members of Congress, serving as the first point of contact for citizens reaching out to the Speaker’s office, attending committee hearings and writing memos for the policy advisor covering the issue, and sitting in on meetings with staffers, then condensing the proceedings into memos. In her second week on the job, she assisted with the unveiling ceremony for a new Capitol statue of Reverend William Franklin “Billy” Graham, given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by the state of North Carolina.
“I learned much more about the intricacies of our legislative system and the role Congressmen play in it,” Katie said. “I also met with staffers from other offices to learn what I can about foreign affairs, a personal interest area. The most eye-opening aspect of my experience on Capitol Hill was just how much detail goes into our legislative process. It is so much more than media makes it seems, and working behind the scenes was such a cool thing to experience and learn about.”
Katie is a senior at Fordham University in New York City. She plans to return to Washington, D.C., after graduation. “I hope to work as a Capitol Hill staffer,” she said. “My preferred focus will be foreign policy.”
Katie Belle Rothkamm ’21
Alumna Assumes Leadership of Women’s Wedding Society
Sarah Jeansonne Wampler, a 2004 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, is the new president of the Women’s Wedding Society, a group of Baton Rouge-area female wedding professionals ranging from florists and photographers to bridal boutiques and event planners. Members meet monthly to share information about their unique services, and they host events throughout the year to meet face to face with brides.
Sarah is the founder and curator of Bustle Bridal Gowns and Accessories and served as secretary of the Women’s Wedding Society board. She took over as president from the organization’s founder, fellow Redsticker Morgan Leger Belello ’13, owner of Lauryn Hope Venue & Events. Morgan stepped down as president after the recent birth of her third child.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this incredible group of women and so excited for the future,” Sarah said.
Sarah married her husband, Eric, in 2006. She dreamed of a beautiful, traditional wedding, complete with the perfect wedding gown. When her dress arrived, however, it didn’t fit, thanks to a clerical error made during the ordering process. With just a month before her big day, Sarah had to settle for a dress she “didn’t love.” But an idea took root, and in 2007, she started Bustle, a wedding dress shop dedicated to helping brides find their perfect gown.
Sarah was just 21 years old, but she was undaunted by the challenge of starting a from scratch. “I saw the need for the type of environment I knew I could create for Baton Rouge brides,” she said. “I have a love of customer service, and that’s what this industry is all about.”
Seventeen years later, Bustle has outgrown its original location and is now located on Airline Highway. Sarah remains steadfast in her commitment to helping every bride look and feel beautiful on her special day. “I really feel like this was my calling,” she said. “I still love my job and am so grateful I’ve been able to do it for so long.”
Sarah brings the same energy to her new role as president of the Women’s Wedding Society. “I have always wanted to have a strong network of other female business owners to share our successes and challenges,” she said. “We are restructuring as a non-profit association with the goal of educating, empowering and supporting female wedding professionals. Our focus in 2025 is to grow as leaders in our fields and share our knowledge with each other and the community of couples planning weddings. We are looking forward to hosting lots of events for brides-to-be where they can meet us to get a jump start on their planning process, or simply ask questions so we can help them solve problems. We aim to be a resource for both wedding planning couples as well as wedding professionals.”
In her spare time, Sarah loves taking her two daughters to dance practices and cross country meets, hitting happy hour with her husband and obsessing over Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour.
Sarah Jeansonne Wampler ’04
Families Gather on Campus to Celebrate Annual Legacy Mass
The St. Joseph’s Academy Alumnae Office hosted the 11th annual Legacy Mass and Brunch on August 18. Generations of Academy graduates, along with family members who are current students, gathered in the Chapel at SJA for the Eucharistic celebration. Father David Allen was the celebrant.
SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69 welcomed the families whose legacies are woven throughout the Academy’s history. She said SJA is blessed by four-, five- and even six-generation families who share in the school’s traditions dating back 156 years.
Readers were Cherie Andries Lato ’99, Ellie Lato ’28 and Kristy Roubique ’76. Cheryl Hall DeRouen ’79 and Clarke Carter ’26 offered the prayers of the faithful. Gift bearers were Emily Hipwell Monsour ’99 and Caroline Monsour ’27. Breen served as the Eucharistic minister. Jade Spears was the altar server.
Emily Vennen ’25 and Addison Macha ’25 served as cantors. Jan Dupre was the pianist.
Following mass, the multi-generational families gathered in the Fife Student Commons for brunch catered by SAGE Dining Services.
Alumnae Director Alli Bourgeois ’14 coordinated the event. Family photographs were taken by Communications Department members Jen Menville Fontaine ’04 and Madeline Ortego ’18.
Four-generation family members attending the 2024 Legacy Mass were, from left, Shannon Douget Feet ’96, Jyllian Kaye Feet ’25 (holding a picture of her great-grandmother, Hazel Harelson Kleinpeter ’35), Kaye Brignac ’67, Kelly Messenger ’26, Tara Nolan Messenger ’70, Adelaide Rose Sanches ’28, Mary Taft Johnson ’78, Kathryn Johnson Sanches ’01, Kristen Johnson Pellegrin ’04, Kelley Johnson Matkins ’84, Phillis Ragusa ’79, Anna Claire Amedee ’28, Lorraine “Peachie” Gautreaux Ragusa ’56 and Ashley Cassidy Amedee ’00.
Two-generation family members posed in front of Mother Alice Hall following the 2024 Legacy Mass.
Three-generation family members smiled for the camera following the 2024 Legacy Mass.
Redstickers Reunite for Summertime Reunions
SJA graduates pose with their children during the Grand Reunion Family Day on July 20.
St. Joseph’s Academy celebrated a number of milestone reunion classes at the annual SJA Grand Reunion Family Day on July 20. Graduates gathered on campus for campus tours, lunch, live music and kid-friendly entertainment while
CLASS OF 1964
Members of the class of 1964 celebrated their 60th reunion at the Grand Reunion Family Day on Saturday, July 20, followed by an evening dinner at Little Village Downtown. Sixteen classmates enjoyed the reunion dinner, including Edith “Edie” Lunsford Archer, Margie Rhyne Cannity, Joanne Gaydos Day, Pam Bourgeois Esnard, Karen Tuminello Fawley, Allen Breazeale Franklin, Gloria Martrain Grand, Lurline Hamilton, Rose Mary D'Agostino Jeansonne, Suanne McKenney Leavell, Gayle Waggenspack Kimmitt, Kitty Arbour LeBlanc, Carol Termini Mansur, Anne Wintz Roberts, Mary May Stelly and Sue Hollis Taylor.
The graduates honored their deceased classmates: Carol Sue Tricou Benoit, Connie Fairbanks Bozeman, Beth Brousseau Campbell, Natalie Thibaut Comeaux, Adele Prejean Hoffine, Jackie Billeaudeau Labat, Cynthia Manley, Penny Nichols, Anne Wolfe Schleicher, Frieda Mansur Sutton and Patsy West.
a
catching up with classmates, faculty and staff. Enjoying the day at SJA were members of the classes of 2019, 2014, 2009, 2004, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974, 1969 and 1964.
CLASS OF 1969
The class of 1969 celebrated 55 years since its members graduated from the Academy with an SJA Girls’ Night on Friday, July 19, at the home of Liz Conley Walker. Pictured from left are Liz Conley Walker, Janet Raymond Gremillion,
Alumnae enjoy
jambalaya lunch during the Grand Reunion Family Day on July 20.
FAMILY DAY
Graduates from the class of 1974 celebrated their 50-year reunion with a weekend of festivities. On Friday, July 19, the class convened on the SJA campus for the 50-Year Reunion Mass, a campus tour and reception.
CLASS OF 1974
On Saturday, July 20, the graduates enjoyed a class party at The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU.
CLASS OF 1979
Members of the class of 1979 celebrated their 45-year reunion with an SJA Girls’ Night Out on Friday, July 19, at the home of Liz Dauzat Seiter. On Saturday, the class gathered on campus for the Grand Reunion Family Day. On Saturday afternoon, the graduates celebrated mass at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. That evening, they enjoyed a joint reunion with their counterparts from Catholic High School. The theme of the party, held at The Station Sports Bar & Grill, was
CLASS OF 1989
Graduates from the class of 1989 celebrated their 35-year reunion on Friday, July 12, with an SJA Girls’ Night Out at Bin 77. On Saturday, July 13, they enjoyed a joint reunion with the Catholic High School class of 1989 at Drusilla Place Catering.
July 19, at Jubans Restaurant and Bar. On Saturday, July 20, a joint reunion was held with Catholic High School’s 30-year reunion class at Uncle Earl’s.
Graduates from the class of 2004 celebrated their 20-year reunion with an SJA Girls’ Night Out on Friday, July 19, at Fred’s in Tigerland.
CLASS OF 2004
Saturday, July 20,
CLASS OF 2014
Graduates from the class of 2014 celebrated their 10-year reunion on Friday, July 19, with a Girls’ Night Out at ZeeZee’s Bar & Grill. On Saturday, July 20, they enjoyed a joint reunion with the Catholic High School class of 2014 at Bogie’s.
CLASS OF 2019
Members of the class of 2019 celebrated their five-year reunion on Friday, July 19, with an SJA Girls’ Night Out at Uncle Earl’s.
In our spring issue of Connections, we featured the members of the class of 2024 whose families have legacy ties to SJA. We would like to share a picture of the Vaughan-Richard family in this issue as well as correct an error regarding the Alley family.
We misidentified members of Emily Alley’s legacy family. Emily Alley ’24, far right, is pictured here with her aunt, Kathleen Alley Lovretich ’77, left, and her cousin, Colleen Clare Lovretich ’18, center. We apologize for the error.
On
the alumnae joined with the Catholic High School class of 2004 for a joint reunion in the Fife Student Commons at SJA.
’88 ANNE-SCOTT BAHLINGER POURCIAU
teaches second grade at Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy. She moved to the secondyear school after Trinity Lutheran School, where she taught previously, closed. Anne-Scott graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1993 with a degree in elementary education. She has been teaching for 26 years. She and her husband, Jacques, will celebrate their 30th anniversary this year. She loves working in her yard and traveling, most recently enjoying an Alaskan cruise.
has been named a member of the 2024 Class of Andrew Carnegie Fellows. She is among 28 exceptional fellows who will receive stipends of $200,000 for research that seeks to understand how and why our society has become so polarized and how we can strengthen the forces of cohesion to fortify our democracy. Angie holds
Southern Politics and Society. She is a Truman Scholar who earned her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Texas. Her research and commentary have been featured on MSNBC, NPR, CNN and in The Washington Post, FiveThirtyEight, the Virginia Quarterly Review, The New York Times and Henry Louis Gates’ Reconstruction on PBS. Angie is the author of The Long Southern Strategy: How Chasing White Voters in the South Changed American Politics (Oxford University Press), which was named the Times Higher Education Book of the Week, and The Indicted South: Public Criticism, Southern Inferiority and the Politics of Whiteness (UNC Press), which won the V.O. Key Award for best book in southern politics and the C. Hugh Holman Honorable Mention for best book in southern literary criticism. She is also the editor or co-editor of several books.
identify student internship opportunities and participate in webinars. Angélique is an attorney, journalist, producer, author and professional host from New Orleans. She is currently the host of Marvel Entertainment’s Marvel’s Voices podcast. She has been seen/heard on various outlets and platforms, including Harper’s Bazaar, NBC News, NBCBLK, MSNBC, AMC/BBC, SyfyWire, Disney, Marvel Studios, ESPN and Paramount+.
’00 A. ANGÉLIQUE ROCHÉ
is a 2024-2025 Religion and Public Life (RPL) Arts and Popular Culture Fellow at Harvard Divinity School. The RPL Fellows in the Professions are a cohort of expert practitioners who bring deep expertise and social justice commitments to a range of professions, including government, education, journalism, humanitarian action and arts and popular culture. These fellows joined Harvard Divinity School in the fall to support the Certificate in Religion and Public Life available to students in the school’s master of divinity and master of theological studies degree programs. Throughout their fellowships, they will remotely support the Religious Literacy and the Professions course, mentor students, work with the program to
has joined Jackson Lewis, a nationwide employment law firm, in its New Orleans office. Adrienne focuses her practice on the areas of labor and employment and civil litigation, including representing employers in family and medical leave cases, discrimination claims and handling EEOC charges. She is part of the Workplace Safety and Health group, which specializes in defending employers in matters involving the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well as advising employers on best practices regarding worker safety. Adrienne graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor of arts degree in history in 2015 and LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center with a juris doctorate in 2018. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, walking her dog in Audubon Park or hunting for finds at estate sales around New Orleans. She is a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi in uptown New Orleans and serves on the Parish Counsel.
’96 ANGIE MAXWELL
’11 ADRIENNE M. WOOD
’14 NICOLE KOTVAL
earned a doctor of nursing practice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She graduated Spring Hill College in 2018 and worked as a registered nurse in the surgical intensive care unit. She continued working while working toward her DNP. She is now working as a nurse practitioner with Nephrology Associates in Mobile, Alabama.
began law school this fall at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She spent the last four years with the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, first as an administrative assistant and then as a paralegal. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in public policy leadership and Southern studies from the University of Mississippi in 2020, graduating cum laude. She hopes to use her law degree to advance social justice on behalf of the poor and marginalized, a passion that was sparked during her time at St. Joseph’s Academy.
’18 MARY SCOTT POURCIAU
is performing on Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady through December. She joined the cruise ship in July and is performing throughout the Transatlantic and Caribbean seas. Mary Scott graduated from Northwestern State University in 2022 with a bachelor of fine arts in dance. While earning her degree, she refined her skills as a singer and was offered a lead vocalist position with Virgin Voyages. She is a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma chapter of Alpha Zeta.
was chosen to serve as president of the Epsilon Pi Chapter of Tri Delta sorority at Louisiana Tech University for the 2024-2025 school year. She is currently pursuing a degree in communication studies with a minor in marketing. She has served as a vice president on the Panhellenic Council at Louisiana Tech and in various other capacities within Greek life. In her free time, she enjoys creating podcast episodes, photography, reading, singing and “hot girl walks.” She is looking forward to a career in consulting.
’23 GRACE REYNOLDS
sang in the choir for the Lauren Daigle concert on June 29 in Carnegie Hall. The opportunity came about after Lauren posted a request on social media asking experienced choir performers to apply. Grace was one of 300 vocalists from across the United States, Canada and Europe to be accepted. She was accompanied to New York City by her mother, Selina Payton Reynolds ’87, and aunt, Tena Payton McKenzie ’83. Grace is majoring in psychology at Louisiana State University.
’15 CLAIRE FRANCIS
’21 MADISON GRACE SCROGGINS
’20 SOPHIA STUART
And We’re Off and Running!
The 2024-2025 St. Joseph’s Academy Annual Fund Campaign kicked off in August with the Parents component followed by the Alumnae and Friends components in September. The people whose paths cross here at SJA – alumnae, parents, faculty/staff, grandparents and friends – help educate the young women of the Academy for a world of opportunities.
Outside of tuition, the SJA Annual Fund is the second largest source of revenue for SJA. This critical piece of fundraising helps provide funds for our operating budget, which in turn keeps tuition increases to a minimum and allows the Academy to continue living the vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph that a Catholic education be accessible to anyone wishing to have one.
You know the childhood adage, “A little bit goes a long way.” The same is true at St. Joseph’s Academy. When you make a gift to SJA, you join almost 2,000 generous donors who value and cherish an Academy education. Gifts – large or small – provide the resources necessary to sustain SJA’s exceptional programming.
Every day at SJA, we are blessed by the generosity of our community. Every day, your gift touches the lives of our students in very tangible ways. In the classroom, in the hallways, on the stage, on the court and in our Chapel, these remarkable young women are learning, growing spiritually and contributing to our community, thanks to you.
Our great 156-year history, our current success and the strength of our future depend on your support of the Annual Fund. With the start of the school year, please be on the lookout for information regarding this year’s Annual Fund appeal.
To those of you who have already given, thank you very much. For those who have not yet had the opportunity to give, please consider making your pledge or donation today. You can make a gift either by check or online by scanning the QR code below. Every contribution of any size to the annual fund makes a difference. All gifts work together to provide direct benefits to our students and faculty. For more information about the annual fund or to make a gift online, please visit our website at www.sjabr.org/giving or contact Meg Gerald at geraldm@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2254.
Your donation matters. Together we are SJA.
A Few Simple Sentences Can Go a Long Way
By including a charitable gift, called a bequest, in your will or living trust, you can plan to support St. Joseph’s Academy after your lifetime, after you have used your assets to support yourself and your loved ones.
Other advantages of bequests:
• Easy. A few sentences in your will or living trust complete the gift.
• Revocable. Until your will or trust goes into effect, you are free to alter your plans.
• Versatile. You can bequeath an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate to St. Joseph’s Academy.
If you are interested in giving to St. Joseph’s Academy through a bequest, you need official bequest language.
We strongly recommend that you speak to a qualified legal and financial advisor in the preparation of your will. Share this sample bequest language for St. Joseph’s Academy with your advisor:
“I, (name), of (city, state, zip code), give, devise and bequeath to St. Joseph’s Academy of Baton Rouge (written amount or percentage of the estate) for its unrestricted use and purpose.”
We understand this is a private and personal matter, but if you would be willing to kindly let us know of your plans to remember St. Joseph’s Academy in your will, it would be greatly appreciated. Doing so allows us to thank you and recognize you as a member of The Legacy Society. Your name will appear in recognition materials, with your permission, and you will be an honored guest at special events.
If you have any questions about including us in your will or living trust, please contact Meg Gerald at (225) 3882254 or geraldm@sjabr.org.
LEAVING A LEGACY AT ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY
I am/we are pleased to inform you that I/we (check all that apply):
⃝ Have already included St. Joseph’s Academy in my/our estate plans.
⃝ Am/are considering a planned gift to St. Joseph’s Academy.
⃝ Would like a personal call or visit to discuss a planned gift.
⃝ Would like to receive information about how to include SJA in a will.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name(s)
Address
St. Joseph’s Academy, 3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Students Recognized for Academic Excellence
Congratulations to our 2024 AP Scholars, 2025 National Merit Scholars and 2024 College Board National Recognition Program Awardees.
One hundred seventy-nine St. Joseph’s Academy graduates and current students have earned AP Scholar Awards for 2024 in recognition of their exceptional achievement on college-level Advanced Placement (AP) Program exams. These outstanding scholars earned credit at Louisiana colleges and universities as well as most four-year schools in the United States.
In 2024, 788 exams were taken by 419 SJA students, and 386 (or 92.12 percent) of those students scored a 3 or higher on at least one exam.
SJA had 65 AP Scholar with Distinction award recipients. They earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. There were 42 recipients of AP Scholar with Honor awards.
They earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. SJA had 72 AP Scholar award recipients. They received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognized two seniors as semifinalists and four seniors as commended students in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program have an opportunity to continue in the competition for nearly 7,000 National Merit Scholarships to be offered next spring.
Five students were selected as College Board National Recognition Program awardees. The National Recognition Program was created to recognize academic achievement of Hispanic, African American, Indigenous and Firstgeneration students who are among the top 10 percent of scorers on the PSAT standardized test. Honorees also meet College Board’s GPA requirement.
2024 AP Scholars, 2024 College Board National Recognition Program Awardees and 2025 National Merit Scholars
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Monica and Michael Alley University of Arkansas
Class of 2024
Daughter of Mark Ashworth and Kelly Ashworth Texas Christian University
Class of 2025 AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Lauren and James Andermann Attended St. Jude
Class of 2025
Scholar with Distinction
Class of 2025
Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Lauren and Tommy Arbour Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025 AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Stephanie and David Baker Attended St. Jean Vianney
Daughter of Lauren and Louis Barfield Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class
Daughter of Holly and Wayne Barker
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Emily and David Beach Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Katey and Adrian Bergeron Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Brandy and the late Robert Bonney Catholic University of America
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Ashley and Ray Bourgeois Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Dina and Ryan Brach Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Kelly and Robert Branstetter University of Arkansas
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Erin and Matthew Brickey Louisiana Tech University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction, National African American Recognition Program (2023) Daughter of Anika Bell and Dominick Bridgewater Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Claudia and John Brooks Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Jenny and Bart Broome Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Angelle Brown and Robert Dilworth and Charles Brown Tulane University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Celeste and Paul Buffone Louisiana State University
AP
Distinction
AP Scholar with Distinction
AP Scholar with Honor, National FirstGeneration Recognition Program Daughter of Pauline and Lou Chau
AP
AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Shelly and Howard Cole University of the South
AP
Class of 2024
Scholar with Honor Daughter of Kecia and Robert Campbell Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with
Daughter of Lisa and Archie Canaday Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Cynthia and Don Cannon Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
Daughter of Monique and Richard Carmouche Tulane University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Kathryn and John Casey Auburn University
Class of 2025
Scholar with Honor Daughter of Monica and Britt Champagne Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025
Attended St. Jude
Class of 2024
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Melissa and Sylvester Crawford Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor Daughter of Shelly and Horace Crochet Louisiana State University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Betty Ellzey and Camilo Cuadra and Ching Song Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
Scholar with Honor, National Hispanic Recognition Program (2023) Daughter of AnaMaria and Gilberto Cuadra Attended St. Jude
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Lauren and Edwin Curry University of Arkansas
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Tori and Matthew Daigrepont Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Sarah and James Davis University of Alabama
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Jennifer and David DeCarlo University of Alabama
AP Scholar
Daughter of Dawn Davis and Ivery Reed Attended Sacred Heart
AP Scholar
Daughter of Sheri and Chris Demouy Attended St. Jude
AP Scholar
Daughter of Ashley and Casey Deaton Louisiana State University
Class of 2025 National First-Generation Recognition Program
Daughter of Aimee and Tim Deshotel Attended St. Thomas More
Class of 2024
Class of 2025 AP Scholar
Daughter of Jeanne and Chaillie Daniel Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
Class of 2025
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Cecilia and Jeff Domangue University of Arkansas
Class of 2025 AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Meegan and Seth Domangue Attended St. George
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Ann and Patrick Dooley University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Tiffany and Philip Dupree
Attended Prairieville Middle School
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Leslie and Malcolm Duplantis Spring Hill College
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Semifinalist
Daughter of Paula and Don Elliott
Attended Baton Rouge International School
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Adriane and Mark Emonet
Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of James Fee and Tara Guidry
Attended The Dunham School
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Melissa and Norman Francise
Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Dorothy and Mitch Ewen Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Patricia and Kris Fernandez Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Kathleen and Stephen Frederick Auburn University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Karen and Joey Faucheux Attended St. Amant High School
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Megan and Phillip Foco Fordham University
Class of 2025
National Hispanic Recognition Program
Daughter of Claudia Barrientos and Manuel Gallardo Attended St. George
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Kalyn and Michael Gauthier Loyola University New Orleans
AP Scholar
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Olivia and Vincent Gilcrease University of Mississippi
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Elizeh and Joshua Gomez Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Lesley and Guy Gremillion Savannah College of Art & Design
AP Scholar with Distinction, National African American Recognition Program
Daughter of Latreace and Kevin Grisby Attended University Lab School
Daughter of Mandy and Jason Grier
Daughter of Laura and Philip Griffith California State University Long Beach
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Attended St. George
Class of 2025
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Jennifer and Andrew Guidroz Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Ginger and Bowman Guttner Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Lequyen and Lawton Hardgrove Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Jenee and Kyle Harvey Attended Silliman Institute
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Toni and Scott Hayes Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Andrae and Rory Hebert
Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Michelle and Michael Hedges Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of William Herasymiuk and Meredith Cronan and Susan Herasymiuk Auburn University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Jennifer and Dave Hertel
Attended St. Theresa of Avila
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Jamie LeJeune Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended
Daughter of Meghan and Timothy LaBauve
Attended St. Thomas More
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Mandy and Scott Hoffman Mississippi State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Christy and William Kessler Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Valerie and Adrian Landry University of Alabama
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Amy and Ryan Johnson Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Elizabeth and John Kukura Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Valencia and Terry Landry Spelman College
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Fabiola Bustos Barra and Francisco Larenas Ricke Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Andrea and Mitchell LeBas Louisiana State University
AP Scholar with Honor
of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Karen Leblanc and Steven Green and Chad Leblanc Louisiana State University
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Laura and Gerald Green and Jacob Lemoine Louisiana State University
AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended
Daughter of Connie and Garrett Lieux Attended St. George
Daughter of Nhung Huynh and Vincent Lenguyen Louisiana State University
Daughter of Connie and Garrett Lieux Louisiana Tech University
Class of 2024
Class
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
Class of 2025
Class of 2024 AP Scholar
Daughter of Connie and Garrett Lieux University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Class of 2024 AP Scholar
Daughter of Stephanie and Geoffrey Manson Auburn University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Ellen and Nathan Robinson and Christopher Martin Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Jenna and James Maughan University of Arkansas
Class of 2025 AP Scholar
Daughter of Sandra and Bobby May Attended St. Alphonsus
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Christine and Mark Cosnahan and Keith Mayeux
Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2024
Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Leah and Ben Gaiennie and Kirk and Mena Maynard Auburn University
Class of 2024
Daughter of Leslie and Jodi McLin Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
Daughter of Alicia Miller Attended St. Alphonsus
Class
Daughter of Heddie Murthy Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024
Daughter of Maryjo and Adam Ostrowe University of Oklahoma
Class of 2024
Class of 2024 AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Stacey and John Monzon Louisiana State University
Daughter of Christina and Joe O’Brien
Class of 2025
Daughter of Ruby Do and Kevin Ennis
Attended St. Jude Apostle School
Class of 2024 AP Scholar with Honor Daughter of Sheri Parker Louisiana State University
Class of 2025 AP Scholar Daughter of Kristen and Mike Pasquier Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025 AP Scholar Daughter of Nimu and AL Patel Attended Episcopal Middle School
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Lisa and Andrew Pecquet Louisiana State University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar with Honor Daughter of Abigail and Christopher Peneguy Louisiana State University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Roxanne Petikas and Michael Petikas Louisiana State University
Class of 2025 AP Scholar with Honor Daughter of Keli and Greg Pisciotta Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Amy and Thomas Pittenger College of Charleston
Class of 2024 AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Christine Pousson and Martin Pousson Baylor University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Stefany and Keith Primeaux Louisiana State University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Angela and Dwayne Quebedeaux Louisiana State University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Fay and Jason Ramey Louisiana State University
Class of 2025 AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Dana Randolph Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2024
Daughter of Darlene Rebowe University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Class of 2025 AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Melissa and Scott Ritter Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025 AP Scholar
Daughter of Laura and Jimmy Roberts Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025 AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Brooke and Jeremy Robinson Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025
Daughter of Angela and Jon Ross Attended St. Thomas More
Class of 2024
Daughter of Ginger Robichaux and Francis Robichaux University of Arkansas
Class of 2025
Daughter of Aimee and Lenny Rodrigue Attended St. Theresa of Avila
Class of 2024
Daughter of Kathryn Rothkamm and Alfred Gill and Chester Rothkamm University of South Carolina
Class of 2024
Daughter of Ginger Robichaux and Francis Robichaux University of Arkansas
Class of 2024
Daughter of Celeste and Scott Roe Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
Daughter of Lori and Kevin Rutland Louisiana State University
with Honor, National Merit
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Commended Daughter of Karen and Henri Saunders Attended St. Thomas More
Class of 2024 AP Scholar
Daughter of Laura and Henry Saurage Auburn University
Class of 2025 AP Scholar
Daughter of Lyn and Stephen Savoie Attended St. George
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Kimberly and Kevin Scarton University of Alabama
Class of 2025 AP Scholar
Daughter of April and Louis Schaff Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Wendy and John Schempf Auburn University
Class of 2024 AP Scholar
Daughter of Shellie and Christopher Schmidt Louisiana State University
Class of 2025 AP Scholar
Daughter of Michelle and Tim Schroeder Attended Our Lady of Mercy
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Stephanie and Derek Scott The CLI Conservatory
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Ashley and Michael Scott Loyola University New Orleans
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Olha and Viacheslav Sereda Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Angela and Harold Sheets Louisiana Tech University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Honor Daughter of Erin and Jeff Shipley Attended Sacred Heart
Class of 2024 AP Scholar Daughter of Karin and Roger Simmons Louisiana Tech University
of 2024
AP Scholar Daughter of Blakeney and Heath Simpson Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Honor Daughter of Dana and Nihal Singh Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Carol and Greg Stentiford Attended St. George
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Melissa and Brent Stockstill University of Georgia
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Nicole and Walter Solis Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended Daughter of Carol and Greg Stentiford Attended St. George
Class of 2024 AP Scholar
of Casey and Joseph Sullivan Auburn University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar Daughter of Mellisa and Brandon St. Amant Auburn University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction Daughter of Samantha Stice and Warren Kahao Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Distinction, National Hispanic Recognition Program
Daughter of Melissa and Matt Terrell Attended St. George
Class
Daughter
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Shielah and Jonathan Tittlebaum Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Shielah and Jonathan Tittlebaum University of Missouri
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Catherine Garon and Ronnie Toussant University of Arkansas
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Jill and Joseph Tullier United States Military Academy
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Kelly and Michael Vaughan University of Georgia
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Ashley and Brennan Uter Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Tamekia Jones and Quintin Vessel Louisiana State University
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Larry Cook and Kimberly and Travis Uzee University of Arkansas
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Emily and Brad Vincent University of Arkansas
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Cynthia and Eric Waguespack University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Class of 2024 AP Scholar with Honor Daughter of Julie and Tyler Watson University of Arkansas
Class of 2024 AP Scholar
Daughter of Ashley and Jeffrey Watson University of Mississippi
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Jamie and Blake Watts Rhodes College
Class of 2025
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Jennifer and Theo Webre Attended St. Aloysius
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Angela and Wesley Wilkerson University of the South
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Gina and Tregg Wilson Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar
Daughter of Susan David and David Wingerter University of Alabama at Birmingham
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Distinction
Daughter of Alicia Ryan and Hector Zapata Louisiana State University
Class of 2024
AP Scholar with Honor
Daughter of Kennan and Chester Word Louisiana State University
Class of 2025
AP Scholar
Daughter of Erin and Kyle Zeringue Attended St. Aloysius
SJA Announces Additions, Changes to Faculty/Staff
St. Joseph’s Academy began the 2024-2025 school year with a new member of the administration as well as new roles for several faculty and staff members.
MELISSA BAHLINGER BROCATO, a 1989 graduate, returned to her alma mater as dean of curriculum and instruction. Melissa comes to SJA from Louisiana State University, where she served as the assistant vice provost/president since 2017 and executive director of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) since 2009. She was with LSU since 1999, earning promotions and progressive responsibilities, rising to a position of key campus leadership focused on increasing student learning, metacognition, active learning, college readiness, curriculum and content development, faculty development and student leadership development.
Melissa traces her family’s ties to SJA to the school’s beginnings. Her great-great-aunt Josephine Bahlinger was the Academy’s first graduate in 1877; six generations of Bahlinger descendants now call SJA their alma mater, including Melissa’s daughter Olivia, who graduated in 2023.
“There is no place like home, and I truly feel like this is a sort of homecoming,” Melissa said. “As an SJA alum, I was recently able to reconnect with the campus and traditions during my daughter’s time here. Every time I was able to come to campus or participate in events, I experienced such a tremendous sense of joy and gratitude for having been afforded the opportunity to experience an SJA education.”
Melissa said her new position at SJA is truly a dream job, as it focuses on what she is most passionate about: teaching, learning and student success. She believes her role as a servant-leader is centered on helping others reach their full potential. “This position brings my career full circle and will utilize the breadth of my skill sets developed in my 30-year career in both secondary and higher education to support the valuable work of providing a Catholic education for students,” she said.
JADE SPEARS
BAHLINGER BROCATO ’89 Dean of Curriculum and Instruction
JADE SPEARS has been named the Academy’s director of mission integration. Jade has been at SJA for seven years, serving as a faculty member in the Theology and Social Studies departments, assistant campus minister/service coordinator and, most recently, campus minister. She is also a lay associate of the Congregation of St. Joseph. Associates are women and men who desire to live in union with God, with one another and with all creation. They are deeply engaged in living the Congregation’s mission of unity and inclusive love of God and the dear neighbor without distinction.
In her new role, Jade is directed by the goals and objectives of SJA’s Faith Development Strategic Plan to lead the design and presentation of educational programs and processes for the formation of faculty, staff and school leadership rooted in the Gospel, the teachings of the Catholic Church and the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She also works to integrate the Gospel, Catholic Church teachings and the charism and spirituality of the Sisters into all student offerings.
In addition to her role as teacher, Jade has been deeply involved with SJA students, serving as moderator for the Liturgy Committee, sophomore class, Student Council and Student Ministry.
Jade said the school’s mission and Sisters’ charism are the unwavering guiding forces for students, faculty and staff. “They give each of us the freedom to be the person God has called us to be,” she said. “It is my belief that the better our own understanding of the mission and charism, the more likely we are to live them out. Our goal is that the time spent here by students, faculty and staff leaves an indelible mark on the spirit of the person, so much so that the kitchen-table spirituality of the Sisters and the influence of Ignatian and Salesian spiritualities are ingrained in everyday life.”
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MELISSA
Following the successful 2023 launch of St. Joe Dough, the first student-run business at St. Joseph’s Academy, a new chapter in entrepreneurship education is under way. YVETTE BARBIER AILLET, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) faculty member who spearheaded the startup of the cookie business with students in her Entrepreneurship course, has moved into the new role of director of entrepreneurship. She will focus her energies on the growth of St. Joe Dough with Entrepreneurship students and members of SJA’s Entrepreneurship Club.
Yvette, a 2009 graduate of SJA, said while she misses teaching her FACS cooking courses, the opportunity to assume a new role dedicated solely to entrepreneurship is exciting. In 2022, while teaching part-time, she started her own business as a personal chef and sommelier, specializing in intimate dinners and wine education. She looks forward to developing the same entrepreneurial spirit in students. “This new role allows me to be a living example to our students, essentially walking the walk,” Aillet said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of women to pursue their dreams thanks to the solid foundation they receive here.”
NWith the ability to devote full time to St. Joe Dough, Yvette said she is looking forward to a heightened sense of energy surrounding the program. She will continue to cultivate relationships that connect students and community members who could support their goals and, perhaps, future business endeavors. She will also establish a more defined retail schedule for St. Joe Dough cookie sales. “I am excited to root in and truly grow the business,” she said. “Having the students in the front row during business development is such an amazing opportunity. I am excited to continue hearing their voice in the process.”
Among Yvette’s goals is teaching students about the various forms entrepreneurship can take. She also wants to instill in them that there is no perfect time to start a business. “I hope to inspire them to look beyond the next five years and realize they don’t have to wait if the timing is right,” she said. “I also want them to understand that entrepreneurship requires a bit of grit and determination and that success often comes from perseverance and resilience.”
v e t t e
YC helsea
The Office of Campus Ministry began the new academic year under the leadership of two SJA graduates. CHELSEA COLOMB, class of 2007, and NOELLE SHIPLEY, class of 2017, assume the roles of campus minister and assistant campus minister/service coordinator, respectively.
Chelsea served as SJA’s assistant campus minister for the past two years. She moves into her new role after her predecessor, Jade Spears, was named SJA’s director of mission integration. Noelle begins her first year at SJA having recently earned a master of science degree from Harding University.
Chelsea especially enjoys working with young people. “I have been able to grow as a ministry leader and have been challenged to find new ways to engage them in their faith,” she said. “I am deeply committed to accompanying our students in their faith journey and want them to know we will meet them wherever they are on that path. I want to provide abundant opportunities for our students to encounter Jesus and feel that it is possible to grow in their faith and live as a disciple despite what the world tells you. I want to empower our student ministers to journey with each other and underclasswomen and hopefully inspire students across campus to live as disciples as they grow in their relationship with God.”
Noelle said she experienced a newfound love of the Catholic faith during her college years and is eager to share it with the SJA community. “Since college, I have co-led a bible study for high school girls in Mandeville,” she said. “I also started the ‘All Things New’ retreat for incoming freshman girls at Christ the King at LSU and helped with several high school confirmation retreats. I have a great desire to share the Truth of the Catholic Church with young women in high school and college.”
Noelle said her desire is to help students continue to grow in their faith by setting a good example and encouraging young women to continue to learn about the Church. “I want the students to have a real relationship with the Lord cultivated through prayer, community and the sacraments,” she said. “I am so excited to meet all the students, and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for SJA this year.”
NOELLE SHIPLEY ’17, Assistant Campus Minister/ Service Coordinator, and CHELSEA COLOMB ’07, Campus Minister
YVETTE BARBIER AILLET ’09 Mission Integration Director
Middle School Girls, Families Enjoy Open House
St. Joseph’s Academy hosted its annual Open House for prospective students and their families on October 17. Girls in 6th, 7th and 8th grades and their parents toured SJA’s beautiful and historic campus and enjoyed the Academy experience firsthand. SJA welcomed nearly 1,100 guests during the afternoon and evening of a picture-perfect fall day. Students from 36 different schools attended.
Visitors were greeted by members of the SJA Student Council, then saw campus with Student Ambassadors serving as tour guides. Guests enjoyed student performances and demonstrations showcasing the arts, academics, sports medicine and the Andrea Clesi McMakin ’74 STEM Lab. The SJA/CHS Band, Bruinettes and Cheerleaders performed throughout the evening. Visitors saw the volleyball and basketball teams practicing and learned about the 12 additional varsity sports. They watched student technicians at work in the student-run Help Desk and saw SJA’s eSports competition areas and the new broadcast journalism studio. They watched the choir and Praise & Worship Band perform and saw members of the Black Box Company rehearsing their upcoming fall production of The Miracle Worker. They learned about the various resources available to students in the Technology and Learning Center. SJA Cheerleaders and the Red Steppers competition dance team performed.
Tours ended in the Fife Student Commons, where visitors enjoyed refreshments from SAGE Dining Services and were able to speak with administrators, teachers, counselors, the school nurse, athletic director and current parents.
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The SJA Admissions Team of Meredith Smith and Victoria Hudson ’09 planned and oversaw the highly successful event. “Open House was a great success,” Smith said. “Families explored classrooms and facilities while engaging with our faculty, staff and student body. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the various academic, extracurricular and faith-filled opportunities that SJA has to offer and make our campus such a special place for young women. I am so proud of our campus as the night was filled with lots of excitement and such a sense of community.”
The Mothers’ Club was in charge of decorations for the event and also helped greet and direct families. The SJA Dads’ Club provided food for student workers, faculty and staff prior to the start of the event.
The following tribute donations were made between April 26 and September 25, 2024. Please remember in your prayers those who are being honored as well as those who honored them.
In Honor of Ms. Charlotte Alexander ’25
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Alexander
In Memory of Mr. Marion Bahlinger
Mr. and Mrs. Mark L. Morel
In Honor of Ms. Ella N. Barker ’24
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne N. Barker
In Honor of Ms. Leila Barroso ’26
Maggie Parker and Juan Barroso
In Honor of Ms. Annalise Belanger ’18
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Belanger Jr.
In Honor of Ms. Ashlan Belanger ’19
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Belanger Jr.
In Honor of Ms. Elizabeth Bertaut ’99
Mrs. Mary Kay Albright Bertaut
In Memory of Ms. Viola Newsom Blouin
Colonel and Mrs. James O. Blouin
In Honor of Ms. Melaina Boggs ’28
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher L. Boggs
In Memory of Mrs. Mary V. Coerver Bolin ’48
Ms. Sandy K. Darensbourg
Mrs. Tommy Gowdy
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Jolly
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Jolly
Pat Kleinpeter Odom
In Memory of Alison Bryan Tomsula Booher
Ms. Jane B. Tomsula
In Memory of Ms. Claire A. Booth ’14
Mrs. Victoria Smith
In Honor of Mrs. Stephanie Alexander Brooks ’85
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Alexander
In Honor of Sister Judith Brun, CSJ
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Guidry
In Honor of Ms. Addie Carmouche ’24
Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Carmouche
In Memory of Mr. Stephen Dwayne Chapman
Mr. and Mrs. David Wade
In Memory of Mrs. Trymica Lotten Charles ’92
Mr. Ray Lotten
In Memory of Mrs. Claire Brechtel Collier ’46
Mrs. Jackie McHardy
Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Schoonmaker Jr.
In Memory of Mr. Walter Louis Comeaux II
Ms. Christen E. Legleu
In Honor of Mrs. Kelly Stuart Connolly ’89
Mr. Brian Connolly
In Honor of Ms. Chapman Cooper ’16
Mr. Charles and Dr. Carrie Cooper
In Memory of Mr. Ryan Dauzat
Dr. and Mrs. Greg Brandao
Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Fife
Susan Goudau
Ms. Margaret Konopka
Melanie and Tommy LaPorte
Mrs. Anne Laville
Lynn and Stew Samuels
In Honor of Ms. Anna-Katherine Dixon ’28
Ms. Beth Altazan
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher E. Dixon
In Honor of Ms. Audrey Elliott ’25
Mr. Donald and Dr. Paula Elliott
In Memory of Patricia L. Evans ’51
Beverly Fryoux Jackson ’51
In Memory of Mr. Robert Evans
Mrs. Regina Barcelona Gautreaux
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Guidry
In Memory of Mrs. Dianne Grace
Mr. and Mrs. James P. Richard
In Memory of Robert S. Greer
Ms. Sept Brown
In Honor of Ms. Anna Guidroz ’24
Drs. Andrew and Jennifer Guidroz
In Honor of Ms. Sarah Guidroz ’26
Drs. Andrew and Jennifer Guidroz
In Honor of Dr. Milton Hallman
Alisa Blaize Dixon
In Honor of Mrs. Penny Hallman
James and Candyce Arbour
Alisa Blaize Dixon
Ms. Anna Scimeca
Len and Lisa Verges
In Honor of Dr. Heather Harkins ’98
Maggie Parker and Juan Barroso
In Honor of Mrs. Linda Fryoux Harvison ’66
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett C. Saia Sr.
In Memory of Ms. Mollie Barbara Helm ’04
Dr. and Mrs. Boyd Helm
In Memory of Mrs. Amy Cutrer Heroman ’46
Ms. Amy Andrews
In Honor of Mrs. Pat Carville Hoffman ’73
Ms. Alexis Gahn
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Hatcher
In Memory of Ms. Allison Grace Honeycutt ’12
Mr. and Mrs. D. Blayne Honeycutt
In Memory of Margaret Coerver Jolly ’42
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Jolly
In Memory of Mr. Ntumba Kasongo
Ms. Elizabeth Kasongo
In Memory of Mr. Patrick Kasongo
Ms. Elizabeth Kasongo
In Memory of Eleanor Dixon Kleinpeter ’54
Mrs. Lane Roberts
In Honor of Ms. Emily Krzystowczyk ’13
Drs. Douglas and Niomi Krzystowczyk
In Honor of Ms. Madeline Krzystowczyk ’23
Drs. Douglas and Niomi Krzystowczyk
In Memory of Mr. Wade Labat
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bello
In Memory of Dr. Samuel Joseph Lambert III
Dr. Joyce Lambert CPA
In Honor of Sister Joan Laplace, CSJ
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Guidry
In Memory of Mr. Jim Lofland
Mrs. Sally Lofland
In Memory of Sister Felix Loup, CSJ
Mrs. Nancy Wilson
In Memory of Shirley L. Maldonado
Mr. and Mrs. John Duplantis
In Honor of Ms. Abigail L. Martin ’24
Mrs. Ellen Robinson
In Honor of Ms. Kennan Mashon ’21
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus E. Mashon
In Memory of Marjorie Claire McAnelly ’95
Ms. Amanda Register
In Honor of Mary Hebert McCowan ’61
Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Hebert Jr.
In Memory of Ms. Abigail Meares
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey D. Meares
In Memory of Mrs. Roney Chesson Morton
Melony and Daniel Fields
In Memory of Mr. Stephen A. Myshrall
Mr. Jonathon Branton
Mr. Christopher Corcoran
Aracely Favre
Gulf States Engineering Co. Inc.
Blaine Patin
Ms. Margaret Patton
In Honor of Eloise Nagdeman
Ms. Laurel Herrington
In Memory of Mrs. Madeline Ortlieb Nesbit ’40
Ms. Julie Nesbit
In Honor of Ms. Audrey Grace Odom ’28
Mrs. Lauren Heck Odom
In Honor of Ms. Parker Owenby ’21
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Denova
In Honor of Mrs. Presley Owenby ’27
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Denova
In Memory of Dani Bourgeois Pecue ’58
Anonymous
In Honor of Margaret Elise Pesses ’27
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Pesses
In Memory of Ms. Lindsey Phillips ’17
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Phillips
In Memory of Ms. Mary Olive Pierson ’62
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Milner Jr.
In Honor of Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ ’57
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Guidry
In Memory of Mina Raymond
Ms. Amy Andrews
In Honor of Mrs. Mary Lou Gibbens Reed ’61
Mr. George Reed
In Memory of Mrs. Charlene Gatz Reis ’62
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Arnold
Susie and Michael Barnes
Mr. and Mrs. Vergil Carlson
Fidelity Investments
Mr. John Hairston
Ms. Barbara Hairston Holland
Ms. Carol Hairston Martin
Ms. Mary Moravec
Ms. Samantha Seward
Dr. and Mrs. Randy W. Thayer
In Honor of Stacy Rennhoff
St. Joseph’s Academy
In Honor of Ms. Mary Claire Roberts ’27
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Roberts
In Memory of Mrs. Audrey McGuire Ellis Santos ’37
Mr. and Mrs. Randall J. Ellis Jr.
In Honor of Ms. Catherine Saunders ’21
Mr. and Mrs. Henri M. Saunders
In Honor of Ms. Lauren Saunders ’19
Mr. and Mrs. Henri M. Saunders
In Honor of Ms. Rachel Saunders ’25
Mr. and Mrs. Henri M. Saunders
In Memory of Mr. Danny Simar
Mr. and Mrs. Judson Sanders
In Memory of John W. Starring
Mr. David Thornton
In Memory of Mrs. Rebecca Starring
Mr. and Mrs. K.C. Annison
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Chevalier
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Doyle
Grace and O’Neal Furr
Jo and Jim Furr
Ms. Catherine Green
Jennifer and David Knight
Richard Lipsey
Drs. Brian and Jan Petit
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Spano
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stephens
Erin and Chris Stimming
Mr. David Thornton
In Honor of Ms. Ciera Thibodeaux ’28
Mr. and Mrs. Destin M. Thibodeaux
In Memory of Mrs. Gay May Town ’54
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Guidry
In Memory of Mrs. Susan Morrow Tuttle ’78
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin L. Harris
Aimee Kleinpeter Klimczak
WEDDINGS
’15 Katherine Gates to Spencer McArthur 1/27/2024
’21 Allison Cagle to Dalton Davis 3/9/2024
’21 Alexandra Stoute to Jack Theriot 5/17/2024
BIRTHS
’04 Emily Henry Burch: daughter, Caroline Murphy, born 12/12/2023
’04 Katie Headlee Millet: son, Peter Andrew, born 2/10/2024
’08 Kayla Langlois Zumo: son, John Paul, born 8/8/2024
’15 Caroline Trammell Moreau: son, Bennett, born 6/13/2024
IN MEMORIAM
We make a sincere effort to publish any close alumnae family connections with the names of the deceased. With more than 11,000 alumnae, however, please note that our database does not include all possible SJA relationships. We appreciate receiving this information from family whenever possible. Notices which appear in this issue were received by October 1, 2024.
Marion John Bahlinger
Husband of Elizabeth Klein Bahlinger ’42 (dec.)
Father of Ann Bahlinger Bernard ’77 and Katherine Bahlinger Surek ’81
Grandfather of Mary Katherine Bernard ’13, Mary Josephine Surek ’15, Katherine Lee Surek ’17 and Claire Marie Surek ’19
Brother of Sister Kathleen Bahlinger, CSJ ’56 (dec.)
Great-nephew of Josephine Bahlinger 1877 (dec.)
Uncle of Juli Bahlinger ’66, Patricia Bahlinger Capdevielle ’70, Mary Gay Bahlinger Larrick ’70, Barbara Bahlinger Griffin ’77, Lisa Bahlinger Marcello ’79, Mimi Bahlinger Bueche ’81, Carla Bahlinger Morel ’82, Andre Bahlinger Treadwell ’85, Nicole Bahlinger Geske ’86, Anne-Scott Bahlinger Pourciau ’88 and Melissa Bahlinger Brocato ’89
Great-uncle of Marie Capdevielle Blackstone ’95, Jamie Hernandez ’97, Kelli Black Ferachi ’00, Mary Scott Pourciau ’18 and Olivia Brocato ’23
Great-great-uncle of Hensley Grace Blackstone ’21, Grace Elizabeth Hernandez ’27
Paul Taggert Barber Sr.
Husband of Judith Rome Barber ’56
Uncle of Nancy Barber Shelton ’83, Michelle Rome Kallam ’85, Aimee Rome Aaron ’86 and Suzette Rome Say ’86
Great-uncle of Whitney Estelle Say ’16, Burgin Elizabeth Rome ’22 and Adeline Estelle Rome ’24
Mary Coerver Bolin ’48
Mother of Helen Bolin ’77
Sister of Margaret Coerver Jolly ’42 and Rose Mary Coerver ’45
Aunt of Kay Jolly Hoffpauir ’69, Ellen Jolly Tanner ’73, Claire Coerver Rome ’83 and Kristen Coerver Thompson ’86
Great-aunt of Kristin Jolly Westberg ’98, Jessica Hoffpauir Wishart ’03, Megan Tanner Guidry ’05, Lee Margaret Jolly Goebel ’06, Katherine Ellen Tanner ’14, Ellie Victoria Rome ’14 and Kate Elizabeth Thompson ’15
Lorena Zeller Bonnaffons
Grandmother of Danielle Amelie Bella ’15 and Gabrielle Alyse Bella ’17
Alison Bryan Tomsula Booher
Niece of Kathy Tomsula Priven ’67, Margaret “Peggy” Tomsula ’69 and Jane Tomsula ’74
Amy Hebert Breaud
Mother of Suzette Breaud Perry ’67 and Melanie Breaud Black ’73
Grandmother of Suzette Songy Perry ’02
John N. Carmena
Husband of Ursula Bogan Carmena ’55 (dec., alum by choice)
Uncle of Linda Bogan Pippins ’71, Ellen Bogan Lee ’75, Paula Bogan Drone ’77 and Susan Gerald Hawfield ’79
Great-uncle of Jennifer Bogan Sabrio ’01, Kathleen Lee Higgins ’05, Rainey Elizabeth Gerald ’13 and Fallon Gerald Tullier ’16
Stephen Dwayne Chapman
Father of Marie Chapman Russell ’00
Grandfather of Hannah Marie Russell ’28
Norman John Comeaux Jr.
Father of Trisha Comeaux Rawlinson ’96
Grandfather of Isabella Marie Rawlinson ’24
Claire Elizabeth Brechtel Collier ’46
Grandmother of Victoria Claire Collier ’19
Robert I. Comeaux Jr.
Brother of Charlene Comeaux
Kennedy ’55, Susie Comeaux
Heroman ’61 and Patrice Comeaux Ellis ’72
Uncle of Karen Kennedy Smith ’77 and Emily Ellis Welch ’95
Great-uncle of Hannah Nicole Hotard ’14 and Abigail Clarice Kennedy ’18
Anna Ladmirault Darensbourg
Mother of Sandy Darensbourg ’77
Grandmother of Anna Maria Darensbourg Roque ’99
Great-aunt of Lindsay LeJeanne Key ’05 and Maia Key Weary ’08
Ryan Joseph Dauzat
Husband of Shirley Marino Dauzat ’55 (alum by choice)
Father of Stephanie Dauzat ’76 and Elizabeth Dauzat Seiter ’79
Grandfather of Emily Elizabeth Seiter ’10 and Eleanor Anne Seiter ’15
Joyce Brocato Davis (former SJA faculty member)
Grandmother of Sydney Lynn Davis ’15
Edward Anthony deFrances
Brother of Elaine deFrances Ellis ’65 and Charlotte deFrances McCloud ’66
Great-uncle of Corinne Claire Ellis ’23
Michael James Dickinson
Father of Emily Dickinson Delahoussaye ’97 and Denise Dickinson Brown ’00
Grandfather of Abigail Anne Brown ’28
Uncle of Jamie Vermaelen Riley ’97 and Claire Vermaelen ’98
Great-uncle of Madeline Nicole Ballew ’19
Norman Lee Duhon
Father of April Duhon Garsson ’86 and Ashley Duhon Deal ’88
Ronald Elsensohn
Father of Sivi Miller (SJA faculty member)
Grandfather of Morgan Miller ’13 and Melanie Brooke Miller ’17
Anita Compton Evans
Mother of Ellen Lowe Womack ’87
Grandmother of Hannah Womack ’13, Riley Elizabeth Womack ’13, Ashlyn Everett Womack ’16 and Mary Katherine Womack ’19
Robert Llewellyn Evans
Husband of Janice Calabrese Evans ’57
Stepfather of Kristin Richard Peek ’84
Rita Tullier Farris
Grandmother of Rachel Fontenot Stansbury ’05, Remy Marie Fontenot ’11 and Allyson Elise Farris ’16
Aunt of Theresa Tullier Reis ’77, Amelia Landry Neal ’78 and Angela Tullier Haydel ’86
Great-aunt of Haley Neal ’13
Mary Beatty Jeanne Galster ’71
Sister of Nancy Beatty Velardo ’67
Aunt of Wendy Velardo Lorenz ’95 and Kerry Jenkins Villnuve ’99
Dianne Blanchard Grace
Mother of Ellen Grace Tomeny ’77, Jamie Grace Meeks ’78, Mary Grace Murphy ’81 and Kathryn Grace Casey ’84
Grandmother of Kristen Kathryn Grace ’09, Grace Murphy Withers ’09 and Kathryn Grace Casey ’24
Roberta Atkinson Guillory
Mother of Virginia Guillory Bull ’82
John Sutherland Heffron
Brother of Mary T Heffron deBrueys ’72, Margaret Heffron ’76 and Paula Heffron Moran ’79
Uncle of Madeline Margaret Domma ’06, Katherine Morgan Domma ’08, Alycia LeSage Domma ’10, Simone deBrueys Bajon ’10 and Mary Reagan Moran ’15
Christopher Louis Hufft
Husband of Kelly Locklar Hufft ’89
Father of Gracie Jane Hufft ’19 and Eliza McKeever Hufft ’21
Uncle of Peyton Elizabeth Locklar ’20
Francis E. Kleinpeter Sr.
Son of Patricia Torregrossa Kleinpeter ’46
Father of Patricia Kleinpeter Duvic ’99
Brother of Gladys Kleinpeter Edward ’77 and Karen Kleinpeter Lindsey ’81
Grandfather of Lauren Kleinpeter Quick ’17 and Alice-Catherine Frances Duvic ’28
Nephew of Betty Kleinpeter Kershaw ’48 (dec.), Connie Kleinpeter Leglue ’51 and Ann May Torregrossa ’52
Uncle of Karen Edward Styron ’01 and Jere Layne Kleinpeter ’07
Barbara Lee Marie Landry Knotts
Mother of Lisa Knotts (SJA faculty member)
Grandmother of Caroline Focht ’13, Samantha Knotts Cassidy ’15 and Olivia Leigh Gordon ’17
Linda Duvic LeBlanc ’58
Sister of Eleanor Duvic Terrebonne ’58
Salvador Anthony Lusco
Grandfather of Anna Claire Lusco ’16 and Lillian Grace Cambias ’22
Shirley Landry Maldonado
Great-grandmother of Juliana Maria Barfield ’23 and Mia Elizabeth Barfield ’25
Rosalie Viverata Marino
Mother of Marilyn Marino ’73 and Phyllis Marino ’80
Grandmother of Katherine Stewart Lawrence ’03
Charles Ray McCullen
Grandfather of Katherine Claire McCullen ’19
Donald Keith McDowell
Husband of Patricia Olano Cox McDowell ’68
Winona McCaa McGaugh ’51
Mother of Judith Hebert Deshotels ’71, Karen Hebert Briggs ’76 and Leslie Hebert Carbo ’77
Sister of Rowena McCaa Cullen ’40 (dec.) and Ramona McCaa Hartman ’55
Grandmother of Jeneé Briggs Homer ’96 and Jeryn Briggs Heltz ’99
Great-aunt of Shauntel Adams Puckett ’00 and Brittany Adams Gonzalez ’01
John Michael Mertz
Husband of Rhea Saia Mertz ’88
Uncle of Mary Claire Saia ’20 and Molly Grace Saia ’27
Stephen Myshrall
Former husband of Sharon Schexnayder Myshrall ’69
Father of Britney Myshrall Piner ’92, Courtney Myshrall ’95 (dec.) and Alexis Myshrall Breedlove ’98
Brother of Carolyn Myshrall Carter-Springer ’67 (dec.)
Angela Leggio Nolan ’59
Mother of Rhonda Nolan Levy ’79
Aunt of Maria Leggio ’92 and Lucia Leggio Iturralde ’99
Susan Patout
Grandmother of Mary Elizabeth Bradford ’25
Rose Marie Darsey Payton
Mother of Tena Payton McKenzie ’83 and Selina Payton Reynolds ’87
Grandmother of Grace Reynolds ’23
Joseph Arlington Perrault Jr.
Grandfather of Isabella Grace Perrault ’22 and Gabrielle Elise Perrault ’25
Mary Olive Pierson ’62
Daughter of Mary Delacroix Pierson Olds ’34 (dec.)
Sister of Barbara Pierson Gauthier ’57
Niece of Edith Delacroix Lefebvre ’43 (dec.)
Great-aunt of Caroline Pierson Tullier ’24
Daniel Robert Plaisance Sr.
Father of Sarah Plaisance Breckenridge ’10
Brother of Kathleen Plaisance Balhoff ’66, Deborah Plaisance Gwin ’68 (dec.) and Valerie Plaisance Honeycutt ’79
Uncle of Michelle Plaisance Leach ’87, Monique Plaisance Carmouche ’88, Mignon Plaisance Tate ’90, Tena Levatino Roemer ’90, Angelle Levatino Klar ’91, Kimen Balhoff Byron ’92, Vita Marie Levatino Pagnani ’93, Lisa Levatino ’96, Erica Balhoff David ’98, Jennifer Webb ’98, Elizabeth Plaisance Lyons ’01, Amy Marie Andrews ’06, Hannah Honeycutt Calandro ’09, Ashley Andrews Dodge ’11 and Allison Grace Honeycutt ’12 (dec.)
Great-uncle of Adeline Kempton Roemer ’19 and Addie Elizabeth Carmouche ’24
Joy Catherine Fryou Prather ’62
Mother of Catherine Prather Crossman ’03
Sister of Ann Fryou Barrett ’65 (dec.)
Aunt of Melanie Fryou Kleinpeter ’81, Emily Barrett ’98, Ann Barrett Spivey ’02 and Lydia Barrett Ackerman ’07
Mary Charlene Gatz Reis ’62
Sister of Laura Gatz Deavers ’66 (dec.)
Aunt of Jennifer Gatz Fowler ’97 and Ann-Margaret Deavers ’98
Charles Rivault
Father of Tammy Rivault ’79
Michael Hyland Sause
Father of Casey Sause Maranto ’92 and Nicole Sause Fawley ’96
Grandfather of Katherine Conway Fawley ’25
Richard Merlin Seeling
Grandfather of Trystan Leigh Seeling ’21 and Victoria Grace Seeling ’25
Frank Paul Simoneaux
Father of Mignonne Marie Simoneaux ’80 (dec.) and Michelle Simoneaux Quinn ’82
Grandfather of Elizabeth Dunlap Ollre ’11 and Camille Bettes Dunlap ’17
Mignonne Marie Simoneaux ’80
Sister of Michelle Simoneaux Quinn ’82
Aunt of Elizabeth Dunlap Ollre ’11 and Camille Bettes Dunlap ’17
