SJA Connections (Spring 2018)

Winter 2018

CONNECTIONS A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNAE, PARENTS AND FRIENDS

SPRING 2018

grand R E U N I O N

CLASS OF 2008: 10-YEAR REUNION Friday, July 13: SJA Class of ’08 Girls Night Out The Patio at Galatoire’s Bistro - 3535 Perkins Road #400 Baton Rouge, LA 70808 7-9 p.m. | Cash bar and appetizers available for purchase upon arrival

CLASS OF 1988: 30-YEAR REUNION Friday, July 13: SJA Class of ’88 Girls Night Out Bin 77 Bistro and Side Bar - 10111 Perkins Rowe #160, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 7 p.m. ’til | Cash bar and appetizers available for purchase upon arrival

Saturday, July 14: SJA/CHS Class of ’08 Joint Event Cane Land Distilling Company - 760 St. Phillip Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 7-10 p.m. | $65 per person includes appetizers, live music and three drink tickets (cost includes 3% credit card processing fee)

Saturday, July 14: SJA/CHS Class of ’88 Joint Event The Trademark - 326 Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 7-10 p.m. | $57 per person includes venue fees, DJ and food and a 3% processing fee. Cash bar available upon arrival

Please contact your 2008 class representative, Claire Sauls, at claireesauls@gmail.com for more information.

Please contact your 1988 class representative, Julie Hannie, at juliehannie@yahoo.com for more information.

CLASS OF 1998: 20-YEAR REUNION Friday, July 13: SJA Class of ’98 Girls Night Out Superior Grill Highland Road - 7333 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 7-10 p.m. | $31 per person includes a fajita and taco buffet, complete with queso and guacamole and a 3% credit card processing fee. Cash bar available for purchase upon arrival.

CLASS OF 1978: 40-YEAR REUNION Saturday, July 14: SJA/CHS Class of ’78 Joint Event TimeOut Lounge – 4619 Bennington Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 7 p.m. ’til | Cash bar and appetizers available for purchase upon arrival

Come mingle with fellow SJA alumnae!

Saturday, July 14: SJA/CHS Class of ’98 Joint Event Baton Rouge City Club - 355 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 7-10 p.m. | $83 per person includes venue fees, live band, food, beer, wine and call brand alcohol and a 3% credit card processing fee.

Come reminisce with your SJA and CHS classmates and their guests!

CLASS OF 1993: 25-YEAR REUNION Saturday, July 14: SJA/CHS Class of ’93 Joint Event The Annex at Kalurah Street Grill - 2857 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 7 p.m. ’til | $60 per person includes beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres for the first two hours and a 3% credit card processing fee.

Please contact your 1978 class representative, Jeanine Parsons Allen, at beadlebug@cox.net for more information.

CLASS OF 1958: 60-YEAR REUNION LUNCHEON Friday, July 13, 11:30 a.m.

SJA’s Mother Alice Hall - 3080 Kleinert Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Please contact Alumnae Director Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 at jeterk@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2244 for more information.

CLASSES OF 1938, 1943, 1948: 70-, 75-, AND 80-YEAR REUNIONS LUNCHEON Thursday, July 12, 11:30 a.m.

SJA’s Mother Alice Hall - 3080 Kleinert Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Please contact Alumnae Director Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 at jeterk@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2244 for more information.

Please contact your 1993 class representative, Dawn Starns, at dawnstarns@gmail.com for more information.

All milestone graduates and their families are invited to Family Day at SJA on Saturday, July 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a jambalaya lunch, live music, children's activities and campus tours.

IN THIS ISSUE 4

24

From the President

Planned Giving

SJA Community

On Campus

5

18

25

29

Alumnae News

Tribute Donations

Alums Today

Transitions

20 23

30

Annual Fund On the Cover:

Kristy Roubique ’76 and Liz Dauzat Seiter, MD ’79 are St. Joseph’s Academy’s Outstanding Alumnae for 2018. Read more on page 5.

Connections is published four 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.

Communications Director Assistant Communications Director Media Coordinator Graphic Designer Mission Advancement Director Mission Advancement Associate Director Mission Advancement Assistant DirectorAlumnae and Constituent Relations Donna Blanc Mission Advancement Database Manager Wendy Coniglio Mission Advancement Database Assistant Jennifer Knight Mission Advancement Assistant

Mindy Brodhead Averitt Jennifer Menville Fontaine Erin Barrilleaux Albarado Holly Sonnier Meg Gerald Sister Joan Laplace, CSJ Katie Jeter Valenciano

3 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Spring 2018

FROM THE PRESIDENT MAGIS, METANOIA AND MITZVAH Words are powerful tools. They call us to action, they offer us hope, they help us understand, they articulate how we are feeling and they bring us closer to God. Words can also give us strength in our spiritual journey and help us to live a life filled with service and love. Three words that call us to action and inspire us to work for the greater good in our daily lives are Magis, Mitzvah and Metanoia. Each word is a relationship word and brings us closer to God and to loving one another as God loves us.

The first word, Magis, is a Latin word which means “the more.” It is related to the Latin phrase Ad majorem Dei gloriam, which means “for the greater glory of God.” It refers to the philosophy of doing more for God and therefore more for others. It brings us to a personal relationship with God and others.

The concept of Magis is derived from the First Principle and Foundation for Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. St. Ignatius encouraged people to examine, “What have I done for God? What am I doing for God? And what more can I do for God?”

Magis is an expression of aspiration and inspiration and is best understood as a lifestyle and a commitment to “the more.” What more can we do for our dear neighbor?

Magis is a word that embodies our everyday lives and how our actions speak to a life of love and service.

Each day, we should ask ourselves how we can do more to help others. We will discover a transformation in our lives that brings us closer to God.

The next word, Mitzvah, is a Hebrew word which, in literal terms, means command. Mitzvah appears 300 times in the Five Books of Moses. In common usage, a Mitzvah means “a good deed,” as in, “Do a Mitzvah and help your neighbor.” Often, it is referred to as any charitable act.

When we perform Mitzvahs, we are one with God. Our actions are filled with love and bring us closer to God. We engage in conscious acts of empathy and kindness and develop a relationship with God. The final word, Metanoia, is an ancient Greek term which means a change of life. This word is especially applicable during the Lenten season, an ideal time to improve our spiritual lives.

Metanoia is a transformative change of heart to the practice of virtue. As conversion, it is fundamental to the teaching of Christ. We make a decision to turn around, to take a new direction in our lives. There are Metanoia moments that inspire us to begin to move to a virtuous and rewarding spiritual way of living and, thus, to make a fundamental change in our actions and thoughts. We ask ourselves, “Who do we want to be, and how can we change?”

Metanoia denotes a change of mind, a transformation of outlook, a new way of loving and experiencing the grace of God. This is another way that we develop a relationship with God and with others on our spiritual journey.

As we move forward on this journey, let us bring the more (Magis), good deeds (Mitzvah) and change of life (Metanoia) into our relationships with family, work, friends and with all others in service to our community.

Let us live each day for the “greater glory of God.”

4 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S From the President

SJA COMMUNITY

S T. J O S E P H ’ S A C A D E M Y A N N O U N C E S O U T S T A N D I N G A L U M N A E F O R 2 01 8 Kristy Roubique ’76 and Liz Dauzat Seiter, MD ’79 have been chosen as St. Joseph’s Academy’s Outstanding

Alumnae for 2018. They will be honored as part of The 1868 Dinner on April 26.

Kristy Roubique ’76

Kristy Roubique, a 1976 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, is a faith-driven entrepreneur and community volunteer who utilizes her gifts in service to others. She is a realtor with Keller Williams and the co-owner of Louisiana CNI, LLC, serving as property manager for 12 community homes for individuals with special needs.

From 1981 through 1999, Kristy was employed by Community Network Inc., providing services to 158 individuals with developmental disabilities. She served as chief executive offer, business manager and comptroller, created and managed a $10 million annual budget and established company policies and procedures to ensure an efficient and safe work environment. She also managed a fleet of 40 vehicles and operated 25 community homes throughout the greater Baton Rouge area.

In 2000, Kristy and a business partner purchased Community Network Inc., changing the name to Louisiana CNI. She continued to manage the business side of the company as financial manager and worked with state agencies to ensure licensing regulation compliance.

Kristy has been an active volunteer with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) since 2002, when her son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. For the past 15 years, Kristy has worked tirelessly to support JDRF’s mission to cure, treat and prevent Type 1 diabetes. She is currently a member of the JDRF Board of Chancellors Louisiana Chapter. She served as president of the state chapter from 2007 until 2011 and was chair of the Baton Rouge JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes from 2006 until 2010.

After serving multiple terms as president of the state chapter, Kristy was asked to serve as the Regional South Volunteer Leader for JDRF. In this position, which she held from 2011 through 2017, Kristy served as a liaison between the JDRF South Regional director and the 12 chapter board

presidents in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. She also served on a national strategic planning task force to improve peer-to-peer fundraising between local chapters.

Kristy regularly presents diabetes research updates to potential donors throughout the region. She has represented the Louisiana chapter at meetings with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to advocate for diabetes research funding. In 2011, she was recognized by InRegister magazine as a Woman with a Cause for her work with JDRF. Kristy is a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph Ministries Board, reviewing the financials of sponsored ministries across the United States. She became an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 2016. Associates are laypeople who help further the mission and charism of the Sisters.

A parishioner at St. Aloysius Church, Kristy is a member of the Pastoral Council, serving as co-liaison of the Social Responsibility Committee. She chairs the Bereavement Committee, assisting with funeral visitations and coordinating teams to provide food to bereaved families. She is also a Eucharistic minister.

Kristy is a 1980 graduate of Louisiana State University with a bachelor of science in business administration. She has two children, Cherie Lato ’99 and Bradley Andries, and three granddaughters. In her free time, Kristy enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and reading.

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Liz Dauzat Seiter, MD ’79

Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Dauzat Seiter graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1979. She earned her bachelor of science degree in 1983 from Loyola University in New Orleans. She earned her master of science in medical genetics in 1985 from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, then attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine, graduating in 1989.

Liz performed her medical residency in pediatrics through The Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, completing her program in 1992. She returned to her hometown of Baton Rouge, beginning her private pediatric practice with The Pediatric Group. In 1996, the group merged with Baton Rouge Clinic, where Liz has practiced ever since.

Liz is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Professional organization memberships include the American Academy of Pediatrics (fellow), Louisiana State Medical Society and East Baton Rouge Pediatric Medical Society.

Among her hospital affiliations is Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where she served as the first female chief of staff/medical staff president in 2012.

She has been a member of numerous committees, including the Medical Executive Committee, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Credentials Committee and the Professional Practice Evaluation Committee, among others. She was also a member of the Pediatric

Obesity Workforce (POW). She is currently a member of several committees of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, including the Pediatric Executive Committee and Medical Education Symposium Committee.

Liz served as chief of pediatrics at Woman’s Hospital and was a three-year member of the Medical Executive Committee, among others.

Numerous community organizations have benefited from Liz’s time and talents, including Boys Hope of Baton Rouge, for which she served as a volunteer pediatrician. She also has volunteered as a medical professional with Camp Fire Boys & Girls, Girl Scouts of America, Saint Aloysius Church and School, Saint Elizabeth’s Adoption Services and the Stop Rape Crisis Center.

Liz and her family are members of St. Aloysius Church Parish. Liz is married to Patrick D. Seiter, an attorney at Taylor, Porter, Brooks and Phillips, whom she met at Loyola University. Pat is from Minnesota but has Louisiana connections through his mother, who was from Sunset. Liz and Pat have been married for nearly 33 years and have two daughters, Emily, a 2010 graduate of SJA, and Ellie, a member of the class of 2015.

In her free time, Liz enjoys being with family, cooking, bicycling, running and participating in sprint triathlons.

6 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S SJA Community

Challenge DaY VIEWING PARTY BOGIE’S

705 East Boyd Drive Baton Rouge

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018 Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

For more details or to RSVP, contact Alumnae Director Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 at (225) 388-2244 or jeterk@sjabr.org.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

No current SJA students, please.

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N E W S C H O L A R S H I P S E S TA B L I S H E D I N T H E S J A FO U N DAT I O N Three new scholarships have been established at St. Joseph’s Academy: the Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Scholarship (see page 12 for details); the Flavia Ourso ’47 and Marvin V. Ourso Memorial Scholarship; and the Dorren Schmitt Endowed Fund for STEM. Darrell Ourso has established the Flavia Ourso ’47 and Marvin V. Ourso Memorial Scholarship on behalf of his late cousins.

Flavia remembered her years at St. Joseph’s Academy with great fondness and enjoyed lifelong friendships with her classmates. After graduation in 1947, she went to work for American Bank & Trust (now Hancock Whitney) as a trust officer. Her career would span four decades.

An avid bowler, Flavia traveled the country to attend bowling conventions and enjoyed traveling abroad in her retirement. Flavia served the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC), Louisiana Women’s Bowling Association (LWBA) and Baton Rouge Women’s Bowling Association in several capacities and spent 18 years as a national delegate for the WIBC and 30 years as a delegate to the LWBA annual meeting. In 2001, she was inducted into the Louisiana State USBC Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

An independent woman with a keen interest in business matters, Flavia was a methodical saver. Upon her death in August of 2013, her brother, Marvin Vincent Ourso, became her only heir. Marvin, a 1942 graduate of Catholic High School and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was devoted to those living in poverty in the Baton Rouge community.

He served 67 years as a volunteer with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, including two terms as council president and as a national council representative. Prior to his death, he presented the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with a $50,000 gift. In 2014, he was inducted into the CHS Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to the less fortunate. Knowing the blessings he received as his sister’s heir, he also committed to establishing a memorial

scholarship at SJA in her name for tuition assistance to deserving young women and their families.

“This gift to SJA will allow bright and talented young ladies who would otherwise not be able to afford the full tuition at SJA the opportunity to receive the same excellence in education his sister did,” said Darrell, who worked to establish the scholarship after Marvin’s death in June of 2015.

Darrell’s daughter, Amanda, is a 2013 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy. She is currently pursuing her doctorate of audiology at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Jeanne Theriot, a member of the class of 2020, is the granddaughter of Flavia and Marvin’s maternal niece and represents another member of the family continuing the legacy of an SJA education.

Dorren Schmitt, a 1980 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy-New Orleans, has established the Dorren Schmitt Endowed Fund for STEM. Dorren has more than 20 years’ experience in the information technology field, 18 of which have been spent with The Weather Channel, where she is the director of technology engineering. She leads all operational teams across the enterprise, including system, database, network, storage and cloud engineering.

The impetus behind the establishment of the fund is Dorren’s desire to help continue the mission of the Andrea Clesi McMakin ’74 STEM Lab. Since its establishment in June of 2015, the STEM Lab has afforded young women the opportunity to engage in cross-curricular, hands-on activities in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math. “Many girls do not have opportunities to build things, use power tools or even conceptualize things that their brothers would do,” Dorren said. “I want to ensure that the current STEM Lab can continue to grow and improve as technology changes and help develop the spacial and cognitive skills needed to be successful in the sciences.”

8 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S SJA Community

The importance of exposing young women to opportunities such as those available in the SJA STEM Lab cannot be overstated, Dorren said. Traditionally, women have been underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“I want to foster a passion in a STEM discipline that will stay with these girls the rest of their lives,” Dorren said. “If this is done, then not only will they work and promote their discipline, but my hope is they will give back to other girls and their children. It is through the continued fostering of this passion through each generation that the men-to-women ratio in the science and technology fields will shift. It is my hope that by the time I retire, there will be at least 10 technical women in a meeting as opposed to the one or two that exists today. This is needed for science and technology not only to advance but to make sure that the innovations of the future serve both men and women.”

Prior to joining The Weather Channel, Dorren was a mathematics professor and math department IT expert at the University of New Orleans. The recipient of a National Science Foundation Grant to purchase computers for the math department, she set up SUN computers in three math labs and all faculty offices with shared server infrastructure. She also maintained the department’s security infrastructure.

Marvin Vincent Ourso and Flavia Rose Ourso ’47 celebrating Marvin’s 86th birthday in May of 2012.

Dorren holds a bachelor of science in mathematics and secondary education; master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and in applied statistics; and a Ph.D. in applied statistics. She is the board chair for the Technology Association of Georgia DevOps Special Interest Group, an advisory board member for the Gwinnett Technical College computer science department, a leadership board member for the Technology Association of Georgia and a volunteer for several technology organizations.

Through the fund in her name, Dorren looks forward to helping young women discover their talents and gifts in STEM disciplines, enabling them to enjoy success in college and the workforce beyond.

Darrell Ourso and SJA President Jan Breen sign documents establishing the Flavia Rose Ourso ’47 and Marvin Vincent Ourso Memorial Scholarship. Looking on are Jeanne Theriot ’20 and Amanda Ourso ’13.

A O CN O S Fall2018 2017 9 | S9J| AS J C NN EN CE T CI OT NI O S NSpring

S J A M O U R N S T H E L O S S O F A S S O C I A T E P R I N C I PA L J ACQ U E L I N E L A B AT Jacqueline “Jackie” Billeaudeau Labat, a member of the St. Joseph’s Academy faculty for 47 years, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2018. She died at home surrounded by her family.

Jacqueline earned her bachelor of science in French education in 1967 and a master of education in 1968 from Louisiana State University. A 1964 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, she began her career at SJA in 1970, teaching all levels of French. In 1982, she was named to the position of assistant principal while continuing to teach. She was named associate principal in 2004. She also served as chairperson of the SJA foreign language department for 25 years and was the longtime moderator of French Club.

Throughout her career, Jacqueline was highly active in the American Association of Teachers of French, American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language, Friends of French Studies at Louisiana State University, Louisiana Foreign Language Teachers Association, Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, France-Louisiane and the Association Louisianaise des Clubs Français des Écoles Secondaires (ALCFES).

Jacqueline was recently named Officier des Palmes Académiques for distinguished contributions to French national education and culture. She previously attained the rank of Chevalier des Palmes Académiques. The honors are bestowed by the Ministry of National Education of the French Republic.

“If I had it all to do again, with every profession in the world laid out before me, I would still choose teaching,” Jacqueline recently said of her ministry as an educator. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful job.”

SJA President Jan Breen said Jacqueline embodied the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph, which is the foundational grace rooted in the mission of the Church: that all may be one. “Each day, she reached out to help the dear neighbor – our students, parents, faculty/staff, alumnae and the wider community, including 10 | S J A10 |C SOJ NAN E CC O TN INOENCST I O N S SJA Community

Canada and France,” Jan said. “Jackie loved her ministry here, and in each role, her actions always reflected her kindness, compassion and love for those she served.

She was truly a blessing to SJA.” Principal Stacia Andricain met Jacqueline in the summer of 1996, when Stacia interviewed for an administrative assistant’s position at SJA. Over the years, Jacqueline served as a mentor and trusted advisor, helping shape Stacia’s career path as she moved into an administrative role and then was named principal in September. “Jackie was one of the greatest mentors of my life, always pushing me to the front and always giving others credit,” Stacia said. “She was the heart of the administrative team for many years. She was what makes SJA a family. She cared for the person first and walked side by side through whatever journey came along. She was my dear friend and taught me so many wonderful lessons. I will continue to strive to make her proud of me and the place she so dearly loved.”

Former SJA President Sister Adele Lambert, CSJ, a 1954 Academy graduate, called Jacqueline “a woman with the heart of Jesus.” She said Jacqueline brought passion to everything she did. “Jackie loved SJA, and she loved the girls,” Sister Adele said. “She loved the French language and Louisiana French culture, and she immersed her students into leadership roles in a number of French organizations. She also loved the charism and mission of the Sisters and wanted the faculty and students to know what it means to love and serve our dear neighbors. Jackie was a faithful servant to the Sisters.”

Former SJA Principal Linda Fryoux Harvison, a 1966 graduate of SJA, has known Labat for more than 50 years. “From the day I met her in high school, I knew she was someone special,” Linda said. “Being her peer as a teacher and administrator at SJA, there was no doubt that her heart led her in all decisions along with her belief in excellence.”

Kathy Daigre Meares, a classmate of Jacqueline’s and a former registrar and faculty member at SJA, said Jacqueline touched thousands of students over her teaching career. She said Jacqueline was known for her contagious laugh, spirited nature and love of her students. “Jackie always fought for the underdog or the struggling student,” Kathy said. “She was a true example of what an SJA woman should be, caring for the dear neighbor and giving her all in everything she encountered. Jackie embraced and lived the mission of St. Joseph’s Academy. She was a dear friend and a great mentor. I learned so many things from her,

but the most important was how to love gently, see the whole situation and how to laugh and have fun in anything you do. SJA was so lucky for 47 years to have such a great leader and a true and passionate teacher.

Jackie was an ambassador and never even realized her greatness.”

Stephanie Cronan graduated from SJA in 2010. She said Jacqueline’s love of the French language and culture inspired her to apply for a Teaching Assistant Program in French position, through which she was able to teach English in Lyon, France. Because of Jacqueline’s influence, Stephanie has also been involved with ALCFES, from serving as state president of the association as a high school student to now marking 12 years as a coordinator of the annual convention.

“To say Madame Labat affected my life would be an understatement,” Stephanie said. “In my experience, she didn’t only teach about language and culture; she imparted lessons about leadership, as well. I have so many memories, but every year, whether at ALCFES or in France, we took a silly photo together to commemorate the occasion. Now, as I mourn her loss, I have a whole photo album full of beautiful and fun memories with my mentor and ‘French mom.’ I will miss her more than words can express.”

Glynis Davis, current chair of the SJA foreign language department and a French teacher at SJA for 37 years, said Jacqueline was more than a longtime colleague.

“We referred to each other as les soeurs françaises, or French sisters,” Glynis said. “We shared our love for all things French and a passion for teaching. We became a team that took students to 37 French conventions and 22 trips and/or exchanges abroad. Besides being my French sister, Jackie was my role model. Her passing creates a void that I am not sure can be filled.”

Kayla Telhiard said Jacqueline was one of the kindest people she knows. A 2015 graduate of SJA, Kayla said Jacqueline had a gentle and loving spirit. “She just seemed to have this light that shone and attracted everyone to her,” she said. “I met Madame Labat as a freshman in 2011-2012, and I knew she would be one of my favorite people in the entire world. I’ve now traveled to more than 10 countries, and she remains on that list. She honestly had a heart of pure gold and was the strongest woman I have ever met. She was selfless and so passionate about what she did and what she taught.

I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful person to have had as my role model.”

Nicole Brandt Rayner, a 1984 Academy graduate, followed in her mentor’s footsteps, becoming a

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French teacher. “She brought to the classroom qualities that couldn’t be taught, in my opinion, in a professional development workshop: The humor, empathy, enthusiasm and compassion as a teacher were her own gifts,” Nicole said.

“Madame Labat was always the real deal, and it was truly a delight to continue our friendship during the 34 years since my SJA graduation.

In my mid-life career change as a teacher at a CSJ-sponsored school in San Diego, I’ve looked to Madame’s ways and have sought to channel her in the classroom and school community as a whole. My ‘girls’ know all about my mentor. I can only hope that they will remember me similarly to the manner in which I – and countless women she inspired – will remember Madame Labat.”

SJA will celebrate Jacqueline and her 47-year career in several ways this spring, including renaming the foreign language classrooms The Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat Foreign Language Area. The Academy will also host a reception when Jacqueline is honored posthumously by the French Consulate with the rank of Officier des Palmes Académiques.

Jacqueline is survived by her husband of 48 years, Wade Labat; daughters Michèle Labat Wilks ’95 (Matthew) and Christine Labat ’01; grandchildren Ryan and Camille Wilks and Libbie Labat; sister Lee Billeaudeau Davis ’54; sister-in-law Wendy Labat Payment (Tommy); brothers-in-law Cyrus Labat (Karen) and Errol Labat (Kathy); father-in-law Edmund Labat; and numerous nieces, nephews, Godchildren, friends and her SJA family.

Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Scholarship St. Joseph’s Academy has established the Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Scholarship to honor the memory of our beloved friend and colleague. To make an online donation, please go to www.sjabr.org. Click on the Giving tab at the top right of the homepage, then Give Now. In the second paragraph at the top of that page, you will find a link to view current scholarships.

Please click that link to find the Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Scholarship. Conversely, you may send a check, payable to the SJA Foundation, to St. Joseph’s Academy, Mission Advancement Office, 3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Please include Labat Scholarship on the memo line.

Wade Labat, center, witnesses the signing of papers establishing a scholarship in memory of his late wife, Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat. He is pictured with SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen and Principal Stacia B. Andricain.

Jacqueline Labat, far left, and Glynis Davis, far right, pose in front of the Eiffel Tower with a group of SJA students in the spring of 2013.

12 | S J A12 |CSOJ NA N C EC O TN INOENCST I O N S SJA Community

T H E S O I R É E E N J OY S G R E AT S U CC E S S The Soirée, St. Joseph’s Academy’s premier fundraising event, was held the evening of March 10 in the Activity Center. The theme of this year’s gala was Rocking through the Decades.

Guests enjoyed a night of live and silent auctions, raffles, great food and drinks by area restaurants and live music by After 8. The evening raised more than $100,000 to be used to provide campus-wide enhancements to benefit the young women of SJA. Through Qtego Auction Technology, guests were able to bid on auction items before The Soirée began. During the event, they used their smartphones to track action on the silent and live auctions and raffles. Guests also enjoyed the SJA Student Ambassadors who were on hand to assist throughout the evening.

The 2018 planning committee was chaired by Linda Thompson. She was joined by Committee Co-Chair and Live Auction Chair Michelle Mitchell, Silent Auction CoChair Courtney Newbill, Silent Auction Co-Chair Kathryn Rothkamm ’87, Restaurant Chair Melanie Callicott, Raffle Co-Chair Katie Cheatham, Raffle Co-Chair Missy Brown ’94, Decorations Chair Christy Castille Haik ’82, Pull-a-Fork and Entertainment Chair Joanne Harvey, Sponsorship Chair Adele Netterville, Bar Chair Jean Couvillion and committee members Kelly Lewis, Misty Plauche, Tammy Brice, Tracy Gaspard and Ursula Laville.

Serving as committee advisors were Meg Gerald, Sister Joan Laplace, Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04 and Jennifer Knight.

Guests enjoyed live music by After 8.

The Soirée committee owes a debt of gratitude to the individuals and organizations who sponsored The Soirée. Sanctity-level sponsors were Celebrity Theatres; Franklin Data Empowered Direct Marketing; Charles and Joanne Harvey; and Linda Thompson. Joy-level sponsors were Dr. James Rhorer; and Suzanne and Joseph Quinlan. Action-level sponsors were Investar Bank; John G. Turner and Jerry Fischer; and Kendra Scott Jewelry.

Red-level sponsors were A&J Designs; Blair and Jim Purgerson; Elizabeth ’72 and Tom McKowen; Michael Fruge and Tony Clayton; Sissy ’80 and Ralph Stephens; Qtego Auction Technology; Fran ’76 and Leroy Harvey; and Air Effects/Sky Tracker LLC. White-level sponsors were Cajun Industries LLC; Gail and Bill Pryor; Hiller Orthodontics; Linda and Ian Hipwell; Linda and Larry Messina; Louis Mechanical Contractors Inc.; Christine and Milton Dureau; Raymond James and Associates Inc.; Dr. Ann Lafranca and Robert A. Handy; Ryson Roofing; Cajun Ready-Mix; School Time Uniforms; and Anne and Tom J. Meek.

Student Ambassadors were on hand to assist guests with their auction bids.

Members of The Soirée planning committee were, from left, Melanie Callicott, Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04, Jean Couvillion, Christy Castille Haik ’82, Kathryn Gober Rothkamm ’87, Courtney Newbill, Linda Thompson, Joanne Harvey, Jennifer Knight, Meg Gerald and Wendy Coniglio.

13 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Spring 2018

SJA INDUCTS NEWEST CL ASS INTO THE A T H L E T I C H A L L O F FA M E The St. Joseph’s Academy Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its 2018 class during a special evening celebration on February 24 in the Activity Center.

Swim coach Nan Murtagh, basketball player Lori Nero ’98 and distinguished volunteer Mike Lamana were honored, as were members of state finalist teams from 2006 and 2007.

Athletic Director Dorinda Beaumont welcomed the large crowd, and theology faculty member Sister Chris Pologa offered the blessing. Brenda LeBlanc, SJA health and physical education faculty member and 2017 Hall of Fame inductee, served as the evening’s mistress of ceremonies.

SAVE THE DATE

New Orleans

reunion WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 FROM 6 TO 8 P.M.

AT THE HOME OF ADDIE MELSHEIMER IMSEIS ’94

The three inductees were introduced by tribute videos produced by SJA Media Coordinator Erin Albarado and Communications Director Mindy Brodhead Averitt. President Jan Rhorer Breen and Principal Stacia B. Andricain presented the honorees with a replica of the SJA Hall of Fame logo carved from wood used in the original SJA gymnasium floor.

Sister Joan Laplace, Mission Advancement associate director, offered the closing prayer.

The Hall of Fame planning committee was cochaired by Averitt and Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald. Joining them on the committee were Beaumont, Murtagh and Alumnae Director Katie Jeter Valenciano ’04.

Sponsors for the evening were Baker Printing, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola and “The Original” Heroman’s Florist.

St. Joseph’s Academy inducted three new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame on February 24. The 2018 induction class included (third from left) Nan Murtagh, Lori Nero and Mike Lamana. They are pictured here with (from left) Principal Stacia B. Andricain, President Jan Rhorer Breen and (far right) Athletic Director Dorinda Beaumont.

JA T I Community O N S Winter 2018 14 | S J A C14O| NS N E C CTO I ON NN SE CSJA

T E N N I S C L A S S I C D R AW S L A R G E S T F I E L D I N EV E N T H I STO RY The sixth annual SJA Tennis Classic was one for the record books, both in the number of participants at 260 and the amount raised, which was more than $16,000.

Proceeds will benefit the Academy Student Center, currently under construction on campus and scheduled for completion later this spring.

White sponsors were Andrew Hargroder, MD; AST Engineers; Capitol City Title; C.A.S.C.O.; Colby Constructors; European Wax Center; Gage Telephone; Ideal Weight Loss Solutions; Louisiana Insurance; Owens Service & Collision; Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens; and Work Box.

Participants enjoyed a fun-filled weekend March 23-25, complete with beautiful weather, at Bocage Racquet Club. In addition to the tennis competition, the tournament featured live music, lots of food, door prize drawings and an award presentation following the finals of each division.

Show court level sponsors were Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelry and McConnell Brick. Court level sponsors were Brady Law Firm; Hays Breard Financial Group; Horace Wilkinson, State Farm Agent; Life Fitness Therapy; Schutte, Terhoeve, Richardson, Eversberg, Cronin, Judice & Boudreaux; Specialized Industrial Maintenance; TSC Logistics, LLC; and Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar, Gonzales.

Presenting sponsor for the 2018 SJA Tennis Classic was Baton Rouge Digital Products, owned and operated by Patricia Brignac Talbot, a 1984 Academy graduate.

Gold sponsors were Berkshire Hathaway – Brent Thompson; Day Law Group; Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers; Elder Outreach; Executive Suites of Baton Rouge; Hanemann Plastic Surgery; Iberia Bank; and Keystone Engineering.

Chairing the planning committee was Wendy Williams Lutgring ’84. She was assisted by Tena Marchand ’88, Patricia Brignac Talbot ’84, Kim Wong Kwan ’79, Courtney Rhodes McGraw ’89 and Terri Nola Baldwin ’83.

Red sponsors were Axis Oilfield Rentals; Hannis T. Bourgeois; Magnolia Medical; Offshore Technical Compliance; and Richards Honda.

Enjoying the 2018 SJA Tennis Classic are, from left, David Rainey, Krista Allen, Emily May Kline ’99, Wendy Williams Lutgring ’84, Patricia Brignac Talbot ’84 and Shannon Kilshaw LeMoine ’84

J AO CNONN E NC E CTT II O O NNS SSpring 2018 15 | S J15A| S C

SJA ANNOUNCES JOSEPHINE BAHLINGER AWA R D W I N N E R S St. Joseph’s Academy has announced the winners of the Josephine Bahlinger Award for 2018-2019. These five incoming freshmen have been awarded $4,000 towards their freshman-year tuition.

Vivian Dille, the daughter of Stacy and Rob Dille, attends St. George. Alexis Harvey, the daughter of Joanne and Charles Harvey, attends St. Thomas More. Blake Hester, the daughter of Corrie and Paxton Hester, attends Sacred Heart. Olivia Mack, the daughter of Gay and Harold Mack, attends Sherwood Middle Magnet.

Isabel Ngo, the daughter of Jennifer and Anthony Ngo, attends St. Thomas More.

The Josephine Bahlinger Award is the first merit-based scholarship award given by SJA. It is named in honor of the Academy’s first graduate, Josephine Bahlinger, class of 1877. Award criteria include outstanding academic performance, a history of standardized test scores in the 90th percentile, service to school and/or community, active participation in co-curricular activities and an exemplary conduct record.

Blake Hester,

SACRED HEART

Isabel Ngo,

ST. THOMAS MORE

Alexis Harvey,

ST. THOMAS MORE

Olivia Mack,

SHERWOOD MIDDLE MAGNET

L I Z N Z I G S SUMMER at Sja

Vivian Dille, ST. GEORGE

Girls in grades 4 through 8 will enjoy an exciting array of enrichment opportunities in academics, athletics and the arts during Sizzling Summer 2018.

Plans are now under way for a fun-filled summer program on SJA’s beautiful, safe campus.

Campers gain self-esteem and self-confidence while building new skills and forming friendships.

Register at sizzlingsummer.org.

16 | S J A16 |CSOJ NA N C EC O TN INOENCST I O N S SJA Community

C E L E B R A T I N G S J A’ S S P E C I A L M E M O R I A L AWA R D S Each year at St. Joseph’s Academy’s Honors Convocation, a number of special memorial awards are bestowed upon deserving seniors. With this issue of Connections, we will take a look at those awards celebrating milestone anniversaries of their establishment.

Jeannette Svendson ’66

Martin and Jeffery Svendson, brothers of Jeannette, present the 2017 Jeannette Svendson Memorial Award to Gaby Fuentes.

The Jeannette Svendson Memorial Award was established in 1968 and will celebrate its 50th year this spring. It is presented each year to the graduate who possesses qualities which were characteristic of Jeannette, a 1966 graduate who was killed in an automobile accident shortly after graduation.

Jeannette exemplified love and kindness to everyone she met. This monetary award goes to a senior who always has a smile on her face and is filled with gratitude and appreciation for life. As was said of Jeannette, so it can be said about the award recipient: Always positive, she lifts the spirits of those she meets and leaves everyone feeling better for the encounter.

Jeffery and Martin Svendson, brothers of Jeannette, present the award each year.

Recipients and their graduating years are as follows: Lynn May (1968), Kris Svendson (1969), Janis LeBlanc (1970), Rosa Mansur (1971), Patrice Comeaux (1972), Suzette Fourrier (1973), Freda Philips (1974), Joyce Shore (1975), Mary Wendell Walker (1976), Phyllis Bologna (1977), Rebecca Morgan (1978), Elizabeth Laville and Antoinette Krousel (1979), Virginia Garrett (1980), Mary Rhydon Laville (1981), Carla Bahlinger (1982), Dina DePaula (1983), Lisa Waguespack (1984), Denise Boudreaux (1985), Jacqueline Mendoza (1986), Tiffani Terrell (1987), Laura Ardila (1988), Lori Adams (1989), Kim Farr (1990), Deanna Miranda (1991), Marci LeBlanc (1992), Amy Arpan (1993), Jennifer Aguillard (1994),

Shawn Meares (1995), Margaret Couvillon (1996), Amy Bloodworth (1997), Robin Huey (1998), Laney Simar (1999), Dana Dugas (2000), Michella Kairdolf (2001), Lauren Savoy (2002), Ellen Johnson (2003), Morgan Montelaro (2004), Michelle Fourrier (2005), Melissa Rolfsen (2006), Anne Karam (2007), Torrey Fourrier (2008), Grace Palombo (2009), Lucie Calderon (2010), Elise Abshire (2011), Anne Cooper (2012), Annie and Maggie Talbot (2013), Celine Richard (2014), Ellie Seiter (2015), Aniko Nowakowski (2016) and Gaby Fuentes (2017).

The Courtney Myshrall Memorial Award was established in 1998 and will mark its 20th year this spring. It is given in memory of Courtney Myshrall, a 1995 graduate who suffered an accidental death in the summer of 1996. This monetary award is voted on by the senior class and given to the classmate who embodies the characteristics that defined Courtney: a kindhearted, nonjudgmental young woman whose outgoing nature and joy for life touched those around her. Courtney’s mother, Sharon Myshrall, class of 1969, and sister, Britney Myshrall Piner, class of 1992, present the award each year.

Recipients and their graduating years are as follows: Jill Spain (1998), Kay Wilbert (1999), Brooklyn Harris (2000), Kate Stratmann (2001), Erin Puckett (2002), Holly Williams (2003), Lauren Salvant (2004), Allyson Barbay (2005), Ginger Lambert (2006), Christina Leonard (2007), Kathryn Elkins (2008), Merritt Guercio (2009), Emily Lopez (2010), Kathleen Peek (2011), Isabel Reyes (2012), Daniela Hurtado (2013), Brooke Ragusa (2014), Allie Smith (2015), Molly Countryman (2016) and Silver Effler (2017).

Courtney Myshrall ’95

A O CN O S Spring 17 | 17 S J| AS J C NN EN CE TC I OT NI O SN Spring 20182018

Sharon Schexnayder Myshrall ’69, mother of Courtney, presents the 2016 Courtney Myshrall Memorial Award to Molly Countryman.

Assisting are grandchildren Eli Marshall, Keller and Camille Piner, children of Courtney’s sister, Britney Myshrall Piner ’92.

’98 KENDALL COYE HEBERT

ALUMNAE NEWS ’80 KRIS CANGELOSI ’80 Kris Cangelosi was among the 2018 Esprit de Femme Award recipients honored by the LSU Women’s Center on March 16. Established in 2009, the Esprit de Femme Award is an acknowledgement of those individuals who have made exceptional efforts toward the advancement of women in Louisiana. The award honors individuals who elevate the status of women in the community through their contributions to the arts, education, healthcare, business and industry, charity and civic engagement. Kris established the Cangelosi Dance Project in 2006 in Baton Rouge.

Her students dance in 75 free performances each year at libraries, youth camps, retirement homes and schools. Kris serves as co-chair for Dancing for Big Buddy, raising funds for educational programs for underserved children. In 2014, Kris received the Arts Leadership Award, one of the annual Louisiana Culture Awards given by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to individuals and entities that have made outstanding contributions to Louisiana culture. ’83 CATHERINE DENT ’83 Catherine Dent gueststarred in the 100th episode of ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The program aired on March 9.

Catherine returned to her role as General Hale.

She previously appeared in episodes airing on December 22 and March 2. ’96 THE REVEREND ELIZABETH MILES SOILEAU ACTON

’98 Kendall Coye Hebert has been hired as the director of communications and development by the Big Buddy Program in Baton Rouge. She will oversee public relations/marketing, branding, social media, development and community relations. She has served in the non-profit sector for much of her career, most notably with the American Red Cross and Capital Area United Way. She is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana, Women in Media and the Port Allen Rotary Club, which she serves as secretary. She has been a wedding coordinator at St. Jude Catholic Church and at various churches within the Diocese of Baton Rouge for the past 14 years. She and husband Ryan Hebert (CHS class of ’98) have two children: Connor, age 12, and Hannah, age 10. ’05 EMILY GRAY ’05 Emily Gray is the medical science liaison for the Neurology and Immunology U.S. Medical Affairs team at EMD Serono Inc., the American and Canadian subsidiary and biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany).

She graduated magna cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2010 with a bachelor of science in chemistry and a minor in biology.

She graduated cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy as a doctor of pharmacy in 2014. Her post-graduate training continued with two years of pharmacy residency training specializing as a critical care pharmacist at The University of Chicago Medicine. In the fall of 2016, she passed the Board of Pharmacy Specialties exam to be recognized as a board-certified critical care pharmacist. She worked as a critical care clinical pharmacist in the trauma, neurology and surgical intensive care units at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center from 2016 to 2017 before accepting her current position. ’05 WHITNEY WALKER PRESLEY ’05 Whitney Walker Presley was accepted into the Ph.D. program in Educational Leadership & Research: P-12 Educational Leadership at Louisiana State University. She received a master’s degree in educational leadership from LSU in 2017. In 2016, she was named Elementary Teacher of the Year in her school district.

Whitney currently works as a mathematics specialist in the City of Baker School System.

’08 KATE GREMILLION

’08 Kate Gremillion, a 2012 graduate of Loyola University, founded Mavenly + Co. to help young women discover their skills and find happiness in their careers. The Atlanta-based company offers podcasts, workshops, private coaching services and workshops for companies. At Loyola, Kate was student body president and the president of the Kappa Tau Alpha journalism honor society. She enjoys attending live concerts, listening to podcasts and traveling.

18 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Alumnae News

’96 The Reverend Elizabeth Miles Soileau Acton was ordained on January 7 as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She is serving as associate pastor for Mission and Education at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. She and her husband, Andy, also a Presbyterian minister, have two children, Katie and Davis.

’08 RACHEL VIERCK

’08 Rachel Vierck is a dance/theater performer and educator at RAVE Performing Arts Company and Of Moving Colors Productions. She was recently certified as a dance instructor by Dance Masters of America. After receiving two degrees from LSU in advertising and theatre performance, she began a professional career in acting and dance. In 2015, she opened RAVE Performing Arts Company in Central, Louisiana, teaching dance and musical theater.

She worked with the Manship Theatre and the Arts Council as a teaching artist for various schools in Baton Rouge, then accepted a position at Episcopal Day School as a dance, theater and preschool music teacher. She serves as administrator for Of Moving Colors Productions and has choreographed several productions for the SJA/CHS Black Box Theater Company. ’12 TIFFANY KELLY

’12 Tiffany Kelly was recently featured on TheUndefeated. com, a sports and pop culture website owned and operated

by ESPN. Tiffany wrote a commentary entitled A career in sports analytics busts another barrier for African-American women. A 2016 graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a bachelor of science in sports management and computer science, Tiffany is an associate for ESPN’s sports analytics team. ’13 SAVANNAH KELLEHER

’13 Savannah Kelleher graduated from Louisiana State University in December with a bachelor of science in finance in the Certified Financial Planner® program. While at LSU, she was involved with the SFPA and Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and was an active volunteer with the sorority’s philanthropy, the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She also worked as an intern at UBS and Merrill Lynch during her high school and college days. She is now employed as a client associate at Merrill Lynch.

’13 MIRANDA SERIO

’13 Miranda Serio is an online channel marketing coordinator with Perdido Key Resort Management. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fall of 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. She is also a licensed realtor in Florida. ’14 CAROLINE BLANCHARD

’14 Caroline Blanchard graduated from Louisiana State University in December as a University Medalist with a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil systems. She is now attending Auburn University, where she is working on a master’s degree in horticulture.

’14 JACIE MCCLURE

’14 Jacie McClure graduated on March 3 from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in kinesiology and health promotion. She will work as a physical therapy technician in Baton Rouge later this spring before beginning PT school. Jacie, who had a 4.00 grade point average, made the President’s List each quarter at Louisiana Tech. This spring, she became only the 15th studentathlete in university history to be named an Academic All-American. ’15 SARAH BERTRAND AND ’15 CHLOE BOUDREAUX

’15 Sarah Bertrand was recently featured in a story in The Clarion Herald for her work in organizing a mission trip to Honduras this summer. Sarah is a junior pre-med biology major at Xavier University and will lead the Xavier group on its work with Honduras Outreach Inc., a faithbased, non-denominational organization with 30-plus years’ experience in the region. Sarah’s inspiration for spearheading the trip is her friend, Chloe Boudreaux, a student at Tulane University who will join a mission trip through the Fr. Val McInnes Center for Catholic Life.

’15 KELSEY RICHARD

’15 Kelsey Richard has been named captain of the University of Southern Mississippi Dixie Darlings dance team. She is a junior majoring in nursing.

19 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Spring 2018

ALUMS TODAY

A L U M N A’ S C O M PA N Y H O N O R E D B Y L S U A S A FA S T E S T G R O W I N G B U S I N E S S Mela & Roam, an upscale textiles and home accessories retailer owned by St. Joseph’s Academy graduate Courtney Smith Barton, was honored by LSU One Hundred as one of 2017’s 100 fastest growing Tiger-owned or -led businesses in the world. Mela & Roam was ranked number 28.

Courtney is a 1999 graduate of SJA and a 2003 graduate of LSU with a degree in apparel design and textile science. Her business, headquartered in Houston, Texas, offers antique and vintage furniture upholstered in rich textiles, one-off curios, art and accessories inspired by craft traditions from around the world.

In 2009, her husband JJ’s oil industry job sent the couple to Malaysia, where Courtney spent several years immersed in the culture of Southeast Asia. There, she fell in love with textiles. “I saw colors in ranges I’ve never before laid eyes on, tasted flavors that made my soul dance and scoured souks, bazaars and markets amassing a collection of linens and unusual goods to bring home,” she said. “I couldn’t wait to share the discoveries found on those roads less traveled and transport others to far-flung places, even if for a brief moment.”

Returning to Houston in 2011, Courtney began Mela & Roam from a room in her home, then created a website and traveled to markets and pop-ups around town. She now has a brickand-mortar location in a space above a French antique and garden shop.

She also travels every spring and fall to Round Top, Texas, for the country’s largest antiques and vintage show.

Courtney said Mela & Roam provides a unique perspective in home decor: Heirloom-quality linens, rich textiles, furnishings, art and accessories embody the authentic cultural heritage of the communities from which they originate, yet are at home alongside modernday decor. “Clients regularly mix our

pillows and dohar blankets with cult favorites like Sferra, Matouk, Bella Notte and Leontine Linens for a look that’s cultivated, more personalized and less expected,” she said.

The 2017 LSU One Hundred gala was held October 5 at L’Auberge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge.

Courtney said the experience was surreal. “Sitting in a room of peers that I admire for their great successes was an honor in and of itself, but to be recognized as one of them is indescribable,” she said. “I pinched myself as the speaker worked his way down from number 100. Once he hit 50, 40, 30 . . . well, I nervously laughed and was convinced an error had surely been made. To be the 28th fastest growing Tiger-led or -owned business in 2017 was easily a highlight of my career. I’m proud to be an SJA and LSU alumna, proud to be from Louisiana and ever grateful to have created a company that combines global influence with Southern sensibilities, drawing inspiration from my own roots and traditions.”

As a youngster, Courtney was surrounded by a family of jewelry makers, embroiderers, graphic designers, farmers, antique dealers and entrepreneurs. “My Acadian French grandmother was the ultimate homemaker,” Courtney said. “She placed importance on crisp linens and well-appointed sheets; every tea towel and bed linen was embroidered and monogrammed by her hands.

Using many of those same textiles in my house today, I am continually inspired by the lasting effect of her pieces both in quality and sentiment.”

Courtney and JJ have two sons, Ory, age 6, and Theodore, age 3.

20 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Alums Today

Courtney Smith Barton ’99

DIOCESE HOSTS DISTINGUISHED G R A D U A T E S AWA R D S D I N N E R

Enjoying the 2018 Distinguished Graduates Awards Dinner on January 29 were classmates and family members of SJA’s honoree, the late Laura Gatz Deavers ’66. From left (front row) are JoAnn Cassano Landry ’66, Barbara McManus ’66, Kathleen Plaisance Balhoff ’66, Gail Gaiennie ’66, brother Les Gatz, Nancy Eskew Sutton ’66, Cindy Richard Murphy ’66, Dyra Culotta Hughes ’66, Patty Jumonville ’66, (back row) Elaine Waggenspack Dean ’66, nephew Michael Gatz and niece Jennifer Gatz Fowler ’97.

The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Baton Rouge honored its 2018 Distinguished Graduates at a special awards dinner on January 29. The gathering took place at The Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel.

She called upon her experience as a business owner and longtime community activist to help spearhead fundraising efforts. She continues to serve on its development committee.

St. Joseph’s Academy’s Distinguished Graduate for 2018 was Laura Gatz Deavers, class of 1966. Laura was honored posthumously, having died in September of 2017 of pancreatic cancer. She served under three bishops of the Diocese of Baton Rouge as the longest tenured editor/ general manager of The Catholic Commentator newspaper.

When she retired after 30 years at The Commentator, Laura continued to serve many civic and cultural organizations.

She was also known for her dedication to her faith, family, friends and church.

Dr. Kim Stewart Davis, SJA class of 1988, Sacred Heart of Jesus School. Kim is a neonatal-perinatal doctor with Baton Rouge Neonatal Associates.

She has been honored for her service by several organizations, receiving the Knight of Peter Claver Service Award, St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge Service Award and the Jetson Correctional Center for Youth Service Award. Kim is involved with her children’s school and activities, is a choir member and lector at St. Paul Church, is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Court 351 Ladies Auxiliary and is an active volunteer with several community organizations.

Another four Academy graduates were recognized as Distinguished Graduates by their elementary schools.

Kristen Speeg Lazarine, SJA class of 2005, St. Alphonsus Ligouri School. Kristen is the director of youth ministry at Christ the King Church in Daphne, Alabama. Prior to her current position, Kristen taught theology at St. Joseph’s Academy and served as campus minister. Following the catastrophic floods in August of 2016, Kristen’s Daphne youth group worked to help those in the Greenwell Springs area as they rebuilt their lives and homes.

Staci Deumite Duhé, SJA class of 1981, St. George School.

Staci is the owner of Nursing Care Connections. She is also active in the Baton Rouge community, where numerous organizations benefit from her time and talents. Staci is a founding member of the Knock Knock Children’s Museum.

Olivia Gulino, SJA class of 2010, St. Jude School.

Olivia is the associate director of youth and young adult ministry at the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

As an Academy student, Olivia was a National Merit Finalist and graduated with honors. She graduated summa cum laude in philosophy from the University of Dallas and earned a master’s degree in theological studies from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. She is an active volunteer with her home parish of St. Jude.

21 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Spring 2018

F R E N C H A LU M N A E E N J OY R E U N I O N AT O L D S TAT E C A P I T O L St. Joseph’s Academy French teacher Glynis Davis, who is also treasurer of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), and several Academy graduates were invited to the reception for the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) exhibit at the Old State Capitol. Lauren Davis, a 1999 graduate of SJA, is the Old State Capitol museum’s curator and creator of the exhibit.

Lafayette where she is majoring in French and Francophone studies. Since graduating from SJA, she has enjoyed three opportunities to study abroad: in Belgium, taking French language and culture classes; in France, where she spent a month studying the heritage and culture in the Burgundy region; and in Caen, where she spent last semester in the Normandy region. She is president of the French Club at ULL and a member of a local pétanque club.

The exhibit celebrates the 50th anniversary of CODOFIL’s establishment. Le CODOFIL: Cinquante ans d’activisme/ CODOFIL: Fifty Years of Activism will be on display through 2018. The Louisiana chapter of the AATF is the exhibit’s co-sponsor.

Catherine Hudson ’11 graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in French. She teaches French I and II at Port Allen High School and is currently working on her master’s of teaching language from the University of Southern Mississippi. She participated in the Jonquiere (Canada) Immersion Program in 2010 and the Sainte Anne’s French Immersion camp in 2011 and 2012 as a student and in 2013 and 2014 as a teacher. In 2015, she participated in the Teaching Assistant Program in France in Rennes. She also took part in Escadrille Louisiane, a program to fill local schools with qualified, certified and fluent French speakers from Louisiana.

The Academy alumnae in attendance have strong ties to their study of French language and culture. They either teach French, were recipients of CODOFIL scholarships or continued or are continuing their French studies in college.

Lauren Davis ’99 graduated from Louisiana State University in 2003 with a double major in anthropology and history and a minor in French. She participated in the LSU in Paris program as an undergraduate. As a postgraduate student at the University of South Carolina, Lauren received a grant in 2004 from the Walker Institute for International Studies to do archaeological fieldwork in Guadeloupe. In 2010, Lauren was one of four young professionals from south Louisiana chosen to represent District 6200 of the Rotary Club on a group study exchange to the Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Stephanie Cronan ’10 graduated from Louisiana State University in 2014 with a degree in French with a concentration in secondary education. She participated in the Teaching Assistant Program in France, living in Lyon for a year where she taught English at two French high schools. She is presently employed by the LSU Ag Center.

Kayla Telhiard ’15 is a junior at the University of Louisiana

Celine Richard ’14 is studying French and horticulture at Louisiana State University. She spent the summer of 2014 in the Sainte Anne’s French Immersion program in Nova Scotia and the summer of 2015 in Vichy, France, for a photojournalism internship on a CODOFIL-sponsored scholarship. She spent a semester in 2016 at the Université de Liège in Belgium. She also enjoyed a horticultural internship this past summer in the Czech Republic.

Gloria Alvarado ’16 is a sophomore at Louisiana State University studying chemical engineering with a French minor. After being awarded a CODOFIL scholarship at French convention as an SJA senior, she traveled to Belgium for an immersion program at the Université de Liège in Belgium.

Catherine Pearson ’16 is continuing her French studies at Louisiana State University and is presently an intern working on educational initiatives at the Old State Capitol.

Enjoying the CODOFIL exhibit at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge are, from left, Stephanie Cronan ’10, Catherine Pearson ’16, Madame Glynis Davis, Lauren Davis ’99, Gloria Alvarado ’16, Kayla Telhiard ’15 and Catherine Hudson ’11.

22 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N Alums Today

ANNUAL FUND COUNT ME IN! Faith development, academic excellence and personal growth – the three pillars of the St. Joseph’s Academy mission statement – define who we are. With your support of the Annual Fund this year, we will continue our tradition of excellence. All gifts enable us to meet our greatest operating needs for each student.

Our goal for the Annual Fund this year is to raise 4.1 percent of our operating budget. To date, our parents, alumnae and friends have generously given $457,109.78 or 3.40 percent of our operating budget. Below is how we are achieving our goal.

PARENTS $207,042.85

13.8%

%

19.2

FACULTY/ STAFF $24,865.00

% 7.5

3

100%

FRIENDS $109,364.85

ALUMNAE $140,702.35

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 a donation either by check or online. 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 this year’s Annual Fund program or to make a gift online, please visit our website at www. sjabr.org, click the Giving tab at the top right of the page, then click Give Now. Or you may contact Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald at geraldm@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2254.

There is not a gift too big or too small. All gifts make a difference when we come together. Be counted!

GIVE DAY 2018 A HUGE SUCCESS

GI V E DAY 2 018 G IVE DAY 2018 G IVE DAY 2 01 8 GI VE DA Y 2018 G IVE DAY 2018 G IVE DAY 2 01 8 GI V E DAY What a day! On Monday, March 19, St. GI VE DAY 2018 G IVE DAY 2018 G IVE DAY 2 01 8 Joseph’s Academy hosted the third GIVE GIthe VE DAY 2018 G IVE DAY 2018D GAIVE annual SJA Give Day honoring feast Y DAY 2018 GI V E DAY 2 of our patron, St. Joseph. SJA Give Day isGI V E DAY 2018 G IVE DAY 2 021 8 018 G IVE DAY 2 01 8 a 24-hour, online giving event to benefit GI V E DAY 20 18 G IVE DAY 2 018 G IVE DAY 2 018 GI V E DAY 2 0 the St. Joseph’s Academy Annual Fund.

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY

SANCTITY, J OY, TAKE ACTION

With more than 370 donors, SJA Give Day raised more than $40,000, well surpassing our goal.

It is truly exciting that we had such a broad range of donors. Alumnae from 16 states coast to coast and class years ranging from 1943 to 2022 gave along with friends, parents and grandparents of St. Joseph’s Academy students.

The numbers show how far the SJA community reaches.

Thank you to all who participated in Give Day 2018. Your gifts will make an impact that will enhance the SJA experience.

TOTAL RAISED

$40,000+

TOTAL # OF DONORS

TOTAL # OF ALUM DONORS

370

236

CLASS WITH THE MOST DONORS

JOYCE FRYOUX JACKSON CLASS OF 1943

CLASS RANGE (1943-2022)

2004 (23 DONORS)

ALEXIS HARVEY CLASS OF 2022

23 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Annual Fund

GIFTS FROM 16 STATES FROM COAST TO COAST!

PL ANNED GIVING Do You Have a Planned Gift for St. Joseph’s Academy?

A planned gift is a wonderful way to show your enduring support of St. Joseph’s Academy. If you have not considered a plan to become a part of the SJA Legacy Society, won’t you please do so today? This type of gift can impact the lives of Academy students and ensure the good of this special place for years to come.

Some planned gifts use estate planning, while others use tax-planning techniques to maximize the gift to charities and heirs while also helping minimize the impact on the benefactor’s estate. In other words, a planned gift is a major donation made in a lifetime or at death as part of one’s overall financial and/or estate planning.

All gifts to St. Joseph’s Academy make an impact. Giving to the SJA Annual Fund or scholarships or supporting

The SJA Soirée are gifts made from discretionary income, and while they may be budgeted for, they are not planned. Anyone, regardless of income level, can make a tremendous investment in the future of St. Joseph’s Academy by simply initiating a planned gift. Whether one uses cash, appreciated securities/stock, a will, life insurance or a retirement plan, the benefits of funding a planned gift can make this type of charitable giving very attractive to both you and St. Joseph’s Academy.

It is important to seek professional advice to ensure any plan is most beneficial for you and for the school.

If you have questions, please contact Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald at (225) 388-2254 or geraldm@sjabr.org.

GIVE 24 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Planned Giving

ON CAMPUS

S J A C H E E R L E A D E R S W I N N AT I O N A L C H A M PI O N S H I P The St. Joseph’s Academy cheerleaders won the 2018 National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) in the Super Varsity Division II. The competition was held February 10 and 11 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando.

NHSCC is billed as the most prestigious cheerleading championship in the country and is televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to more than 100 million homes and 32 countries nationwide each year.

The SJA squad began the competition as one of 24 teams in the preliminary round. SJA placed second in the Group A preliminaries, advancing to the semifinal round. With a near perfect routine, the cheerleaders moved onto the final round in first place. On Sunday, eight teams competed for the title, with SJA bringing home top honors.

Coach Chelsea Milazzo said the team overcame obstacles throughout the year and surpassed all expectations by being named Super Varsity National Champions.

“The night before finals, after reviewing their scores, I told them, ‘If you want to win, you can,’” Chelsea said.

“Watching them perform their routine for the final time was literally electrifying. It felt like the entire building was screaming the cheer with them, and I just immediately teared up as they yelled ST. JOSEPH’S and finished their routine with a hit. They seemed so confident, so strong and so proud of the team they had become. I am so humbled, honored and proud to coach this amazing group of talent. This is just the beginning for us, and it will only get better from here.”

Cheer moderator Lauren Morris said the competition was an amazing experience and a dream come true for the entire squad.

“They pushed themselves beyond what they ever thought they were capable of,” Morris said. “Their last performance in finals was incredible to watch. I just knew we were going to win. I don’t think I can describe how immensely proud I am of this team. The moment SJA was announced as Super Varsity Division II National Champions is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life, and I know the girls will cherish this forever.”

Senior Kamryn Fouts is captain of the squad. She said winning the national championship will be among her fondest memories, as the team’s hard work paid off in a big way. “Before competing in finals, we were all really nervous because we wanted to end our season with a hit,” she said. “Once we finished performing, we got to watch our routine. We were all crying and hugging because of how proud we were of each other. I am so proud of how far our team has come and so happy we get to end the year as national champions.”

The SJA Cheerleaders react to the announcement that they had captured the top prize in the Super Varsity Division II.

The SJA Cheerleaders are the national champions in the NCSCC Super Varsity Division II.

CN O NN ENCE TC I TOI N O SNOn S Planned 25 25 | S| JSAJ AC O Campus Giving

ACADEMY WINS LOUISIANA TECH CHALLENGE

The team from St. Joseph’s Academy finished first in the 2018 Louisiana High School Online Technology Challenge.

SJA has competed in each of the 12 years the competition has been in existence. This year marks the first time an Academy team finished first.

St. Joseph’s Academy is the winner of the 12th annual Louisiana High School Online Technology Challenge.

This year’s event, held March 7, featured teams from high schools across the state.

The annual technology event, hosted by the University of Louisiana at Monroe, recognizes students interested in demonstrating their creative use of technology and teamwork skills. Every high school in Louisiana is invited to enter a team of 15 students who work under the guidance of a designated coach. Since 2007, approximately 6,150 high school students have participated in the annual online competition. SJA has competed in the event since its inception. This year marks the first time an Academy team finished first.

The top five finishers were as follows: 1st place: St. Joseph’s Academy 2nd place: St. Thomas More Catholic High School 3rd place: Catholic High School 4th place: Northwest High School 5th place: Zachary High School SJA Technology Director John Richardson has been the team’s coach since the competition began in 2007. “With much success over the years in this competition, it was highly rewarding for this year’s team to finish first,” he said.

“It’s always a tight, close competition in which one mistake can knock you out of the top five. Each student played a very important role in this year’s successful outcome and submitted their best work. We’re already looking forward to competing in next year’s challenge.”

26 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S On Campus

D A D S , D A U G H T E R S E N J O Y S P E C I A L D AY St. Joseph’s Academy students and their dads gathered on campus March 4 for Father-Daughter Day 2018. The event is hosted each year by the SJA Dads’ Club. This year’s theme was It May Be Cheesy, But My Dad Is Grate.

The day began with mass in the Activity Center.

Father Ryan Hallford, parochial vicar of Holy Family, was the celebrant.

Following mass, guests enjoyed a jambalaya lunch. Fathers and daughters then teamed up for fun and games, including beanbag toss, bocce ball, croquet and ladder toss.

Alum Retreat SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, July 28 Led by

Becky Uffman Eldredge ’98 Theme - Taking Stock: Living Our Greater Yeses

Father-Daughter Day 2018 was chaired by Dan Boudreaux. He was joined on the planning committee by Warren Davis, Bassam Harb, Mark LeBlanc and Ron McDaniel. Faculty member Hugo Andricain planned the mass.

Awards and door prizes were donated by Benny’s Car Wash, Celebrity Theatres, Cox Communications, Qdoba, Varsity Sports and SJA’s Andrea Clesi McMakin ’74 STEM Lab.

Dads and daughters enjoyed the annual Father-Daughter Day celebration, held March 4 on campus.

27O| N S JN AE CCTOI O N N SE C I O N S Spring 2018 27 | S J A C OnTCampus

M O M S, DAU G H T E R S E N J OY A N N UA L ST Y L E S H OW More than 1,000 students and mothers enjoyed the 2018 MotherDaughter Brunch & Style Show hosted by the St. Joseph’s Academy Mothers’ Club on March 18. The theme for this year’s event, held at Raising Cane’s River Center, was You Are My Sunshine.

SJA seniors, accompanied by their moms, modeled the latest spring fashions. Participating boutiques were Love, Eros, Head Over Heels, NK Boutique, Blue Spero, Aria, Edit, Chatta Box, H Kyle, Vertage Clothing, Hemline Towne Center and Hemline Highland.

Door prizes were provided by Kendra Scott, The Royal Standard, Soho Salon & Boutique, Zoës Kitchen, Dorm Décor, European Wax Center, Avant Tous and LaRonda Daigle-Mary Kay Consultant. In-kind sponsors were Raising Cane’s River Center, Premier Sound Services, The Original Heroman’s and Sherwood TV & Appliances - Rhonda Hebert Ruffino ’85 and Olivia Ruffino ’12.

The planning committee was chaired by Jennifer Jones and co-chaired by Vanessa LaFleur.

They were joined by committee members Marsha Bruce, Allison Sceroler, Angele Cooley, Jennifer Poe, Lisa West, Laurene Hutchinson, Tricia Hurdle, Monte Brown, Aimee Walker, Wendy LeBlanc and Katie Jeter Valenciano.

SJA students attending the brunch received special cross charms, courtesy of Tina LaHaye, to commemorate the event.

S On Campus 28 |28S |J SAJ AC OC NONNENCETCI T O I NOSNWinter 2018

T R I B U T E D O N AT I O N S The following tribute donations were made between January 1 and March 15, 2018. Please remember in your prayers those being honored as well as those who honored them.

If you wish to make a special gift in honor or memory of a family member or friend, you may do so online at www.sjabr.org. Click the “Giving” tab at the top right of the homepage, then “How to Give.”

In Honor of Mrs. Mary Kay Alford Ms. Rebecca Wannamaker

In Honor of Mrs. Erika Angarita Ms. Meredith Landry

In Honor of Sister Jane Louise Arbour CSJ ’41 Mrs. Julia Arbour McClanahan In Memory of Mr. A.L. Buck Barber Ms. Anna Camille Falgout

In Honor of Mr. Steve Barrios Ms. Hannah Moran

In Memory of Mrs. Bernice Copponex Barry ’42 Mrs. Linda Barry Bynum Ms. Grace Mikesell Ms. Hanna Mikesell

In Honor of Fran Hains Berry ’67 Mrs. Julia Arbour McClanahan

In Honor of Ms. Avery Boudreaux ’21 Mrs. Celane Roden

In Honor of Ms. Jolie Boudreaux ’18 Mrs. Celane Roden

In Honor of Sister Carolyn Brady, CSJ ’48 Ms. Jo Dale Ales

In Memory of Sister Kathleen Brogdon, CSJ ’42 Sister Frances Landry, CSJ

In Memory of Mrs. Mary “Tal” Bourgeois Broyles ’63 Mr. Rafael Bermudez Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Blitzer Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Randy Bonnecaze Mrs. Bertha Moseley Collins Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Daigrepont Jr. DiGiulio Brothers Italian Cafe Jan Capdevielle Gravolet Dr. and Mrs. William F. Hagemann Hannis T. Bourgeois & Co. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hotard Dr. and Mrs. Tom Meek Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Moffett Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Rome Ms. Kim Sangari Mr. and Mrs. John D. Spiller Dr. and Mrs. Mark Walker Woman’s Hospital

In Memory of Mrs. Ruby L. Casemore Dr. and Mrs. William F. Hagemann

In Memory of Ms. Allison Clement ’81 Mr. and Mrs. John A. Clement

In Memory of Mrs. Bennie Coates Ms. Jan Breen Mrs. Janet Rhorer

In Memory of Mr. Pierre Euclide Conner Jr. Ms. Ann M. McLindon

In Memory of Ms. Laura Gatz Deavers ’66 Ms. Jo Dale Ales Mrs. Anne Marie Fargason

In Honor of Ms. Savannah Esteve ’16 Mr. and Mrs. Darren Esteve

In Memory of Ms. Lillie Elise Goree Ms. Ann M. McLindon

In Memory of Mrs. Diane Hains Mrs. Julia Arbour McClanahan

In Honor of Mr. John Hains Mrs. Julia Arbour McClanahan 29 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Spring 2018

In Memory of Mrs. Amy Cutrer Heroman ’46 Mr. and Mrs. Craig Broussard Mrs. Regina Barcelona Gautreaux Women in Media

In Honor of Ms. Adeline Holyfield ’18 Mr. and Mrs. David Bergeron

In Honor of Ms. Blake Jones Mr. and Mrs. Steven Jones

In Memory of Mrs. Eleanor Dixon Kleinpeter ’54 Mrs. Joan Barbay Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Barber Mr. and Mrs. Bobbie L. Beebe Mr. Paul Bologna Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Broussard Mrs. Lane Chenevert Mr. Samuel G. Chenevert Mrs. Toni Chenevert Mr. and Mrs. James Cox Mr. and Mrs. James F. Davis Mrs. Toni White Douglas Mrs. Dana Guitreau Favaro Mr. and Mrs. Pete Guarisco Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Huet Mrs. Marion Kleinpeter Sister Adele E. Lambert, CSJ Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Leglue Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Litz Ms. Ann M. McLindon Mr. and Mrs. Mark L. Morel Mr. and Mrs. Will Pecue II Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Perrault Ms. Lisa Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Albert Salzer Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stephens Mr. Jose R. Tarajano Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jose R. Tarajano Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Herbert H. Wathan Mr. and Mrs. Ralph G. Werling Mrs. Stephanie Whitty

In Memory of Mrs. Jackie Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Ms. Juliet Alise Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Biggs Mr. and Mrs. Randy Bonnecaze Mrs. Valerie Borders Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Borgmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Pete Boudreaux Mrs. Marie Bradford-McCleland and Mr. James McCleland Dr. and Mrs. C. Verne Brian Ms. Kathy Chau Mrs. Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis Mr. and Mrs. John Dabkowski Dr. and Mrs. Jacques de la Bretonne Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Delacroix and Ms. Julia Delacroix Mrs. Martha Devlin Doe’s Eat Place Ms. Andrea Dragna Emergenetics International Mr. Cary G. Fontenot Ms. Bella Galindo Ms. Lynn Griggs Mr. and Mrs. Ferrel Guillory Joseph Furr Design Studio, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Errol Labat Sister Adele E. Lambert, CSJ Mrs. Anne Laville Ms. Dede LeBlanc Ms. Kaye Contine Liles Ms. Barbara McManus Ms. Annie Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Sid Osterberger Mr. and Mrs. John Parrott Sister Chris Pologa, CSJ Ms. Hayes Robert Anne Wintz Roberts Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Rome Ms. Mariska R. Roney Ms. Alyssa Speeg Megan St. Germain The Class of 2013 Mr. Donald J. Thibodeaux and Mrs. Carol Roppolo Thibodeaux Mr. and Mrs. John B. Waid II Ms. Alexandria Whitten Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Whitten Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wicks Mr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Wilcox

In Honor of Ms. Ondrea Lavallias Ms. Emily Boudreaux

In Honor of Sophia Marchiafava ’18 Mr. and Mrs. Martin Marchiafava

In Memory of Marjorie Claire McAnelly ’95 Ms. Jo Dale Ales

In Honor of Mrs. Linda Messina Ms. Izzy Grandy

In Memory of Mrs. Margie T. Mims Kay Jolly Hoffpauir

In Honor of Ms. Dana Murray Ms. Gracie Dencausse

In Honor of Mrs. Nan Murtagh Mr. and Mrs. Pete Boudreaux

In Honor of Ms. Brianna O’Connor ’20 Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Vanchieri

In Honor of Ms. Mary Olive Pierson ’62 Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Blitzer Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. McCowan Jr. In Honor of Ms. Jane T. Pizzolato Mrs. Cinnamon L. Broussard

In Honor of Mr. Peter Ragusa Peachie and Phil Ragusa

In Honor of Ms. Ashley Roy ’16 Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Roy In Memory of Mrs. Audrey McGuire Ellis Santos ’37 Mr. and Mrs. Randall J. Ellis Jr.

In Memory of Ms. Mary Starring Mrs. Jennifer Johnson Broussard Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell L. Johnson Jr.

In Honor of Mr. Jamal Tajdaran Ms. Ashley Roy

In Honor of Ms. Camille Taylor ’19 Drs. Jonathan and Yolunda Taylor In Honor of Ms. Caroline Taylor ’17 Drs. Jonathan and Yolunda Taylor

In Honor of Miss Cecile Taylor Drs. Jonathan and Yolunda Taylor 30 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Tribute Donations

TRANSITIONS

Marriages, Births, Passings WEDDINGS

’03 Caroline Elizabeth Fletcher to Clayton Thompson 1/13/2018 ’04 Brandy Jean Hotard to Stephen Loupe 2/23/2018 ’05 Christine Marie Melancon to Bradley Michael Earnheart 12/29/2017 ’06 Megan Marie Balhoff to Christopher Joseph Mensi 1/12/2018 ’06 Sydney Louise Eggers to Benjamin Taylor Sommers 2/2/2018 ’11 Taylor Elizabeth Layman to Joshua Armstreet 8/27/2016 BIRTHS ’98 Hillary Morgan Lazaro: son, Levon Makepeace, born 1/27/2018 ’00 Jill Cronan Adams: son, Jack Joseph, born 1/18/2018 ’02 Alicia Harpole Cavell: son, Reed Patrick, born 8/8/2017 ’02 Candis Mayweather Hunter: daughter, Christine Elizabeth, born 1/19/2018 ’02 Melissa Tate Zeringue: son, Andrew Louis, born 1/26/2018 ’03 Lindsey Richard Fauveau: daughter, Elise Marie, born 2/7/2018 ’04 Alyse Talbot Manglik: daughter, Sophie Talbot, born 11/16/2017 ’05 Abby Ruiz Caponegro: son, George Hamilton, born 12/8/2017 ’05 Kristen Speeg Lazarine: daughter, Addison Lorraine, born 1/20/2018 ’06 Briton Romero Durio: son, Cooper David Durio 3/3/18 ’08 Laura Parsons Keller: son, David Roman, born 6/6/2017 ’08 Alexandra St. Amant Martinez: son, Rylan John, born 10/4/2017

IN MEMORIAM We make a sincere effort to publish any close alumnae family connections with the names of the deceased. With more than 9,000 alumnae, 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 March 22, 2018.

Vera Rae Baker Bahlinger Mother of Carla Bahlinger Morel ’82, Andre Bahlinger Treadwell ’85, Nicole Bahlinger Geske ’86 and Melissa Bahlinger Brocato ’89 Mary Taylor Bourgeois “Tal” Broyles ’63 Mother of Stephanie Broyles ’87 and Amanda Broyles Silvey ’91 Grandmother of Emrey E. Broyles ’18, Taylor B. Silvey ’19 and Madeline G. Broyles ’20 Doris Lasseigne Carville Great-grandmother of Addie Jones ’18 Ruby Lemoine Casemore Mother of Sandra Casemore Brown ’62, Pat Casemore Green ’68, Susan Casemore ’71 and Alene Casemore ’75 Grandmother of Julie Casemore ’86 and Kelley Green ’94 Great-grandmother of Jessica Barrilleaux ’10 and Braelyn Brown ’20 Martha L. Dupuy Mother of Janice Dupuy Davis ’67, Linda Dupuy Thomas ’72 and Ann Dupuy Farris ’82 Grandmother of Jeanne Birnie Dupuy ’07 and Kathryn Elaine Dupuy ’10 and Allyson Elise Farris ’16

Nora Lee Lovas Eckert Mother of Erin Eckert McLean ’83 Grandmother of Gabrielle Gremillion ’13 William H. Gallmann Jr. Father of Lynn Gallmann Poche ’68 Grandfather of Brennan Mackey Pizzolato ’00 Eleanor Dixon Kleinpeter ’54 Mother of Grace Kleinpeter Savoie ’75, Gay Kleinpeter Young ’78 and Lane Kleinpeter Chenevert ’82 Grandmother of Victoria Lynn Chenevert ’08, Rebecca Claire Kleinpeter ’10, Alyssa Lane Young ’14 and Kristine Davis (SJA faculty member) Sister of Elaine Dixon LeBlanc ’58 Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Mother of Michele Labat Wilks ’95 and Christine Labat ’01 Sister of Lee Billeaudeau Davis ’54 Albert Joseph “A.J.” Lousteau Jr. Father of Patti Lousteau Percy ’67, Mary Lousteau Saul ’68, Lee Lousteau Kleinpeter ’74, Tamara Lousteau Taylor ’76, Robin Lousteau ’79 and Jamie Lousteau Holdstein ’80 (dec.)

Grandfather of Carly Elizabeth Lousteau ’99 (alum by choice), Blair Lousteau ’00, Lauren Lousteau Sternfels ’03, Maddie Taylor ’05 and Kristin Lousteau Howell ’08 Paul Breaux Lovell Husband of Anne Sigur Lovell ’80 Marjorie Tyler Mims Grandmother of Jessica Manning ’98 and McCall Manning Dempsey ’00 Leeward Paul Ortego Grandfather of Amanda Henley (SJA faculty member) Robert Anthony Pascal Father of Alice Pascal Escher ’73

31 | S J A C O N N E C T I O N S Spring 2018

Margaret “Peggy” Thompson Robert ’76 Sister of Barbara Terry Thompson ’73 (dec.)

John D. Schwab Father of Katherine Schwab Denham ’64 and Janie Schwab Basham ’72 James Ray “Bighead” Smith Father of Jaime Smith Sims ’97 Marie Bourg “Tiny” Tullier ’46 Mother of Theresa Tullier Reis ’77 and Angela Tullier Haydel ’86 Dr. E. Victor Vignes Father of Julie Vignes ’82 Mary Denova Webber Great-grandmother of Hallie Rivet ’21 Monica Fleniken Wille Grandmother of Hallie Rivet ’21

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Parents, if your daughter no longer lives at home, please send us her address. If you would like to continue to receive Connections, please call Katie Jeter Valenciano at (225) 388-2244 or email her at jeterk@sjabr.org.

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