SJA Connections (Spring 2017)

Co n n e c t i o n s A Publication for Alumnae, Parents and Friends

S p r i ng 2 0 1 7

Tribute Donations

grand 2017

REUNION WEEKEND

JULY 14-15, 2017 SAVE THE DATE FOR

A DAY AT SJA For all milestone reunion years

Saturday, July 15, 2017 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Complimentary lunch, campus tours, fun and games for all!

2007: 10-YEAR REUNION July 14: Girls’ Night Out Magpie Downtown 7-10 p.m. | $62 per person

July 15: Joint event with CHS

1987: 30-YEAR REUNION July 14: Girls’ Night Out Location and Time TBA

July 15: Joint event with CHS Location and Time TBA

1957: 60-YEAR REUNION LUNCHEON July 14: 12 p.m. | SJA Dining Hall

1937, 1942, 1947: 70-, 75AND 80-YEAR REUNION LUNCHEON

Tin Roof Brewery 7-10 p.m. | $62 per person Questions: Contact Molly Clark Mayeux at mollycmayeux@gmail.com

1977: 40-YEAR REUNION

July 14:

1997: 20-YEAR REUNION

July 14: Girls’ Night Out

11:30 a.m. | Mother Alice Hall

Questions: Contact Beth Altazan-Dixon at Beth.Altazan-Dixon@LA.gov

Bin 77 | Time TBA

July 14: Girls’ Night Out

July 15: Joint event with CHS

The Pelican House 7-10 p.m. | $20 per person

July 15: Joint event with CHS

Location and Time TBA Questions: Contact Anita Parsons King at anitaparsonsking@gmail.com

The Varsity Theatre 7 p.m. 'til | $50 per person Questions: Contact Angela Wolf Sheets at amwolf79@aol.com

1967: 50-YEAR REUNION MASS AND RECEPTION July 14: Mass in the Chapel at SJA 5:30 p.m.

Reception to Follow

REGISTER AT

www.sjachsreunion.org

In This Issue

C on n e c t ion s Spring 2017 From the President.....................................................................4 SJA Community...........................................................................5 Alumnae News...........................................................................16 Alums Today...............................................................................18 Annual Fund...............................................................................26 Planned Giving...........................................................................27 On Campus................................................................................28 Tribute Donations.....................................................................34 Transitions...................................................................................38

On the Cover: Kay Jolly Hoffpauir ’69 and Suzie Toups Adler ’85 will be honored as SJA’s Outstanding Alumnae for 2017. 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.

Mindy Brodhead Averitt Communications Director Jennifer Menville Fontaine Assistant Communications Director Erin Barrilleaux Albarado Media Coordinator Holly Sonnier Graphic Designer Meg Gerald Mission Advancement Director Sister Joan Laplace, CSJ Mission Advancement Associate Director Katie Jeter Mission Advancement Assistant Director-Alumnae and Constituent Relations Donna Blanc Mission Advancement Assistant Shannon Landry Mission Advancement Support Megan St. Germain Mission Advancement Assistant

From the President | 4 SJA CONNECTIONS

OUR JOURNEY IN THE LENTEN SEASON

Jan Rhorer Breen ’69

The Lenten season is a preparation for the Easter celebration. It is a time of hope, a journey to receive love, to deepen love, to grow in love and to give love. We often discover how extraordinary our lives are as we ask for God’s mercy, as we receive God’s grace and as we encounter God’s word.

Pope Francis speaks about the Lenten season as a time of hope, a time when we find our lives transformed by the many ways we encounter God’s word. We do this through scripture, prayer, service and our daily journey as we discover God’s mercy and love. Lent can be a time when we have a change of heart and mind, a second chance at life. Lent can be a time when we are drawn to God’s grace and His merciful embrace.

In the book The Hope of Lent, Daily Reflections by Pope Francis by Diane Houdek, Pope Francis shares daily hopes during the Lenten season and reflects how we can transform our lives on a journey in this time before Easter. In each reflection, Pope Francis offers a prayer for us.

Below are a few reflections: Prayer Reinvigorates Us Pope Francis reflects on the importance of prayer and how it changes our hearts and makes us understand who God really is. When we pray, speak to God like we would to a friend, and open our heart.

Prayer is about our relationship with God and our conversation with Him every day. God is a trusted friend who understands our feelings, thoughts and fears. Take time in prayer to listen in silence with God. He will always be there for you and will guide you on your journey.

And in prayer: Lord, give us all grace, For prayer is a grace.

Teach us to pray as Moses prayed, In freedom of spirit and with courage.

May the Holy Spirit, Who is always present in our prayer, Lead us along this path.

Becoming Merciful Our lives are filled with divine mercy. God is merciful, loving and fills us with goodness. In Matthew’s Gospel, he talks about God giving us what we search for, opening doors and discovering opportunities. God’s mercy is forever, and He will always be with us. As God is merciful, He asks us to be merciful to others. As we transform the words into action, we are asked to do something kind for another today; to say a prayer of thanksgiving; to live in the spirit of Jesus; to perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

And in prayer: Let us ask the Lord today For conversion to the mercy of Jesus: Only in this way will the law be fulfilled, Because the law is to love God and neighbor, as ourselves.

The Thread of Hope Hope gives us joy and surrounds us in peace. It is a humble virtue that is with us in life’s darkest moments and is there to lift us up. Pope Francis reminds us that hope is one of the three “theological virtues” along with faith and love. And it is hope that keeps us going when love seems to fail.

And it is hope that keeps us afloat during life’s struggles and disappointments. The thread of hope is strong and resilient through our lives with the grace of God’s merciful love.

And in prayer: Our hope is in your hands.

O Lord, preserve our hope.

The Risen Christ As we come to the end of the Lenten season, we open ourselves to feel the joy of new life. Pope Francis reminds us that our joy in the Risen Christ calls us to a quiet love and service. This is a time to open our hearts to new possibilities and to embrace hope. It is a time to live in the present with gratitude and grace.

May this Easter be filled with the joy of the Spirit, a life of hope, daily prayer and God’s merciful love.

And in prayer: Let us give thanks for so great a love, Which we find impossible to grasp; it is immense.

Let us pray for the grace to never grow tired Of drawing from the well of the Father’s mercy And bringing it to the world.

SJA Community | 5 SJA CONNECTIONS

SJA TO HONOR OUTSTANDING ALUMNAE Kay Jolly Hoffpauir ’69 and Suzie Toups Adler ’85 have been chosen as St. Joseph’s Academy’s Outstanding Alumnae for 2017. They will be honored as part of The 1868 Dinner on April 25.

Outstanding Alumnae are women who, in day-to-day living, exemplify integrity, moral character, love of God and service to humanity.

KAY JOLLY HOFFPAUIR ’69

Kay is a generous community activist, always willing to share her time and talents. During her career, she was actively involved in the Junior League and served on various non-profit boards, including Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge and Foundation for Historical Louisiana. Since her retirement, Kay volunteers weekly and spends time helping the poor and homeless in our community at Sisters of Charity and St. Vincent de Paul.

She is active with Kappa Delta Alumnae Association and is the recipient of the Order of the Pearl, presented by Kappa Delta National Sorority for outstanding contributions and accomplishments on the local, state or national level.

Kay Jolly Hoffpauir retired as executive director of Disability Determinations for the state of Louisiana’s Department of Social Services. Over the course of her career, Kay worked tirelessly to help people obtain disability benefits for which they qualified. She frequently went above and beyond the call of duty, especially during Hurricane Katrina, when she worked overtime to assist coworkers and benefit recipients in the New Orleans area.

Kay received a number of awards for her work with the state, including the Charles Dunbar Career Service Award, presented by the Louisiana Civil Service League for commitment to the state of Louisiana classified service, contributions toward workplace improvement, personal initiative and volunteer community service. She also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Social Security Dallas Regional Commissioner for outstanding contributions to the Social Security Administration and Disability Determinations in leadership, performance, service, professionalism and quality. She also received a citation from the Commissioner of Social Security for 35 years of exemplary leadership at the state, regional and national levels for compassionate service to Americans with disabilities.

Even with her busy career, Kay always had time for her children, Erik, a 2002 graduate of Catholic High School, and Jessica, a 2003 Academy graduate. She and her husband, Herschel, a successful architect, placed a premium on balancing careers and family. A wonderful cook, Kay made sure a family dinner was served every night.

Kay is a devoted member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and has served on numerous committees.

Since her retirement, she has been very active in a Come Lord Jesus prayer group. She also serves as a facilitator for the Little Rock Faith Group and has served for many years with the St. Aloysius Good Samaritans Ministry, providing meals for those facing illness or death in their families.

While she cares deeply for her dear neighbor, Kay also works tirelessly to support her family. Over the years, she has graciously cared for several elderly and sick relatives.

She lovingly cares for her grandchildren on short notice, even when those grandchildren are out of state.

An honor graduate of SJA and co-editor of Student Prints in 1969, Kay remains proud of her SJA education. She served on the school’s board of directors and is a former chairwoman. She currently serves as chair of the Strategic Planning Enrollment Committee and continues to serve the school in whatever ways she is asked.

Kay is the daughter of James (CHS class of 1942) and Margaret Coerver (SJA class of 1942) Jolly. Son Erik is married to Allison Hoffpauir. They have three sons: Michael (7), Luke (5) and William (2). Daughter Jessica is married to Ryan Wishart. Their daughter, Lena, is 19 months old.

Kay proclaims that she is the proud daughter, mother, sister, cousin, aunt and niece of many accomplished SJA graduates.

Kay Jolly Hoffpauir ’69

SJA Community | 6 SJA CONNECTIONS

SUZIE TOUPS ADLER ’85

As Suzie and Andy’s family grew, Suzie tailored her workload to always be available for her three children, Matthew, a 2012 Catholic High graduate; Katie, a member of the SJA class of 2013; and Allie, a 2016 Academy graduate.

Suzie has been a parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church since 1993. She served as a liturgical reader for 15 years. She was also president of the parish council and an active volunteer in numerous endeavors.

Suzie Toups Adler '85

Suzie Toups Adler graduated from Louisiana State University in 1990 with a degree in interior design. During her college career, she studied at the prestigious Manchester (England) Polytechnic Design College and Parson’s School of Design in Paris.

Upon graduation, Suzie moved to Dallas, Texas, where she went to work for Staffelbach Designs and Associates, one of the top 100 interior design firms in the nation. She served as a project manager for 3 million square feet of interior construction, specification, facilities management, tenant development and interior design for several large companies, including Coors Beer Company, Bank of America and John Hancock. She was named Staffelbach Designs’ Corporate Hero in 1990 and Employee of the Year for Individual Quality and Excellence in 1991.

In 1992, she and husband Andy, a 1982 graduate of Catholic High, returned to Baton Rouge, and Suzie went to work at Fetzer’s Interiors. In 1993, she branched out on her own, establishing Adler’s Interiors, a commercial and residential interior design company. She continues to own and operate the firm, handling space planning, construction management, architectural consulting and coordination, feasibility studies, specification writing, purchasing and interior decoration.

Numerous community organizations benefit from Suzie’s tireless volunteer efforts. She was a gala cochair for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Louisiana Prevent Child Abuse. She and Andy served as gala chair couple for Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge. She participated in the Big Buddy’s Dancing with the Stars Gala in 2008 and was named the American Cancer Society Ball’s Best Dressed in 2003. She was also a member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge and the Southern Women’s Action Network.

Suzie cares deeply about her alma mater and has assumed countless volunteer leadership roles over the years. She is currently a member of the SJA Board of Directors and is serving as chair of the school’s 150th anniversary celebration, which will take place during the 2018-2019 academic year. She served as chair of the 2014 Soirée, and she and Andy were the chair couple of the 2013 Parents Annual Fund campaign. She organized the Class of 1985 Endowed Fund and served as her class’ alumnae representative.

She was an active member of the SJA Mothers’ Club from 2009 until 2016 and serves on the SJA Alumnae Association board.

Always active at her children’s schools, Suzie also served in numerous volunteer capacities at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School and Catholic High School.

As her children went on to college, Suzie became involved in Matthew’s fraternity and her girls’ sorority. She served as Theta Xi Fraternity’s Parents’ Club President and House Corporation Board, and at Chi Omega Sorority, she is currently the president of the Mothers’ Club and three-year chair of the Mother/Daughter Luncheon.

Suzie’s greatest joy in life is her family, nuclear and extended. She is devoted to her parents, Roland and Kay Toups; brother Stevie and his family; and countless friends and their children whom she loves dearly.

Spring 2017 | 7 SJA CONNECTIONS

SJA’S STRATEGIC PLAN ENTERS NEXT PHASE Four years ago, St. Joseph’s Academy embarked upon a strategic plan to define the school’s goals and priorities. The process began with an extensive stakeholder survey of alumnae, parents of current and former students, current and former faculty and staff members, students and SJA community members. The purpose of the survey was to gather comments and concerns regarding SJA’s mission, academic rigor, faith development, service requirements, campus life, financial sustainability and communication.

Based upon survey results, alumnae, parents, faculty/staff, friends and community leaders were invited to participate in focus groups to explore specific questions and issues in greater detail.

With the additional information from these discussions, committees were created to focus on eight specific areas. Meeting over the next several months, committee members devised goals and strategies to address identified needs.

In the three years since the strategies were launched, much has been accomplished. While space prohibits a detailed accounting of all of our work, we wanted to share some of the highlights.

ACADEMICS: Focusing on the fact that women have traditionally been underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, we established a rigorous STEM program.

The Andrea Clesi McMakin’74 STEM lab was created to provide cross-curricular, hands-on learning in a laboratory setting. Students work with a laser cutter and micro-computers and are able to bring their ideas to fruition using 20 3D printers, an unprecedented number on the high school level.

Placing a premium on 21st century learning, we opened the Innovation and Design lab as a complement to the STEM Lab. The Innovation and Design model helps students develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, digitalliteracy and communication skills. This is a highly collaborative area where students utilize the six-step design methodology (identify, interpret, ideate, invent, implement, improve) to creatively design solutions to real-world problems.

We increased the number of Advanced Placement courses offered from nine to 20, and we will add another three AP courses for the 2017-2018 academic year. AP courses enable our young women to undertake college-level work across all disciplines. In the past two years, the number of AP exams taken by SJA has increased from 354 to 729.

ADVANCEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS: We implemented strategies to increase Annual Fund participation. In the last four years, operational budget costs covered by gifts to Annual Fund have grown to more than $500,000. Gifts to the three components of the Annual Fund – Parents, Friends and Alumnae – impact each and every student by enabling us to provide the enhancements that make SJA a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

We added several out-of-town reunions, oncampus reunion celebrations, alumnae mission trips and other events to engage our graduates.

We developed and implemented a plan for growing our endowment to $3 million. Four years ago, the endowment was $1.9 million; today, that number tops $3 million. Because of this growth, SJA is able to offer tuition assistance to 150 families who otherwise would not be able to afford an Academy education for their daughters.

Establishing a robust social media presence has been a special focus of the Communications Department. We have embraced Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to maintain a consistent and engaging brand on social media.

Our social media messaging reaches across the wide spectrum of audiences, and our efforts have been well received and quantifiably successful.

ATHLETICS AND CO-CURRICULARS: We created an engaging intramural athletic program.

Beginning in the spring of 2013, several new sports were introduced, including pickleball and prison ball. Clinics were held to ascertain student interest in ultimate Frisbee and lacrosse.

Continued

SJA Community | 8 SJA CONNECTIONS

We undertook an assessment of facilities needed to support athletics and other school needs. In combination with strategies identified by the Facilities strategic plan committee, we are now in the process of constructing the Academy Student Center to enhance our health and wellness curriculum; continue to grow our sports medicine courses; expand the intramural program; continue to provide facilities for our outstanding interscholastic athletic program; further the wellbeing of each student through exercise, conditioning and learning opportunities focused on healthy lifestyles; and create much-needed space to celebrate masses and other school events with extended families, grandparents and friends.

COMMUNITY AND CHARISM: Work was undertaken to broaden student, faculty and alumnae exposure to the mission and charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Among the actions taken was the establishment of Charism in Action, an organization designed to help students better understand and promote the charism of the Sisters. Additionally, a select number of students participated in the CSJ/SSJ Student Leadership Conference, and the CSJ charism was more fully integrated across the curriculum, in professional development meetings and in liturgies and assemblies.

To celebrate SJA as a Catholic, faith-based organization, we continued our community outreach efforts, including providing brown-bag lunches each Tuesday to St. Vincent de Paul; promoted the CSJ Associate Group to faculty/staff and alumnae; and celebrated important CSJ dates and events.

ENROLLMENT: We undertook an in-depth analysis of enrollment in the context of campus facilities and infrastructure. Classroom usage data was compiled, and new academic offerings were discussed.

The job of Admissions Director was expanded to a full-time position, and the director created strategies to recruit potential students and parents through numerous visiting opportunities and other outreach efforts.

To develop a plan for long-term growth given trends in the local educational environment, we worked to explore, respond to and evaluate admissions trends from our feeder schools. The Josephine Bahlinger Award was created to offer merit-based tuition awards to academically gifted students. Additional outreach efforts were implemented to help ensure that families who were offered admission to SJA accepted.

FACULTY AND STAFF: Employees were surveyed regarding benefits preferences. As a result, SJA continues to be an employer of choice, offering a 401(k) retirement with an employer match; a variety of health insurance options; tuition discounts for children attending SJA and Catholic High School; a faculty educational grant to pursue advanced degrees; and funds for spiritual development and professional development.

THEOLOGY: We undertook work to evaluate theology teachings to continue to align with doctrinal framework and the life application grounded in students’ faith formation. Theology faculty members attended numerous conferences and were afforded opportunities for ongoing educational theology study.

Students and faculty continue to participate in local and global mission trips to “serve the dear neighbor,” and student-centered learning strategies continue to enable students to integrate Church teaching with everyday decision making.

The Office of the Campus Minister implemented weekly student discussion sessions, social activities and small group prayer to help develop a mindset of lifelong faith development.

NEXT STEPS: We have begun work on a new stakeholders’ survey to be disseminated in August.

The survey will be followed by focus group discussions to continue to narrow our strategic work and devise our next three-year plan. We look forward to your continued partnership as we work to ensure a holistic education of faith development, academic excellence and personal growth in this four-time National Blue Ribbon School.

Srping 2017 | 9 SJA CONNECTIONS

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON ACADEMY STUDENT CENTER The Academy Student Center is now under construction on the corner of Broussard and Parker streets near the current Activity Center. The 23,000-square foot facility will be completed by August 2018 for the start of the yearlong celebration of SJA’s founding 150 years ago by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Celebratory gatherings such as The Soirée and the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in the new gymnasium, enabling guests to enjoy the beautiful new space. PE classes and athletic team practices will go on uninterrupted in advance of and immediately after these events.

The new facility is the result of the Academy’s current strategic plan, launched in 2013. The plan directs SJA to enhance its health and wellness curriculum; expand its intramural athletic program; continue to provide facilities for its outstanding interscholastic athletic program; further the wellbeing of each student through exercise, conditioning and learning opportunities focused on healthy lifestyles; and create muchneeded space to celebrate masses and other school events with extended families, grandparents and friends.

We are pleased to offer a wide variety of naming opportunities in the Academy Student Center. For a complete list, please visit www.academystudentcenter. org. For more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss your gift, please contact Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald at (225) 388-2254 or geraldm@sjabr.org.

SJA’s Activity Center, built 30 years ago when the student body numbered 600, can no longer accommodate the needs of the current student population of 1,067. “It is a timehonored Academy tradition that our celebrations are shared with family and friends,” said SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen.

“The school community is larger than our student body, and as the student body has grown, we have found that we must limit the number of invitations we can extend to events such as Senior Mass and Honors Convocation.”

The new gymnasium will have 1,050 fixed bleacher seats and movable seating for approximately 750, enabling 1,800 people to gather for school events. Additionally, expanded seating will enable SJA to offer opportunities for the broader community to enjoy guest speakers on campus.

Having a second gymnasium will also better accommodate the robust Redsticker athletic program. Currently, when the volleyball team has a match in the Activity Center, the basketball team must adjust its practice schedule. With ample space, sports teams will be able to practice and play simultaneously. With increased seating, SJA will be able to host playoff games by meeting LHSAA seating requirements.

The health and physical education department has also outgrown the current space. PE classes are currently held in the gym, on the Activity Center stage and in the lobby of the building. With two gyms, the department will be able to expand its curriculum and enhance the number of fitnessrelated opportunities available to the students. Additionally, when a schoolwide event is scheduled in the Activity Center, PE classes are disrupted, unable to use the space during both set-up and take-down.

SJA Community | 10 SJA CONNECTIONS SJA Community | 10 SJA CONNECTIONS

THE SOIRÉE 2017 ENJOYS SUCCESS The Soirée, St. Joseph’s Academy’s premier fundraising event, was held on the evening of March 25 in the Academy Arts Center and Batchelor Terrace.

This year’s gala, moved from its original October date following August’s devastating floods, met with great success.

Guests enjoyed live music by the Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble, food catered by SAGE Dining Services, a wine tasting by Blend and an open bar. The evening featured fun activities including a Kendra Scott jewelry pull, dream vacation raffle, pull-a-fork and silent and live auctions. The evening raised more than $100,000. The funds will 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.

All smiles at this year’s Soirée are, from left, John D’Angelo, Kathy D’Angelo, President Jan Rhorer Breen, Holly DeKeyzer and Scott Gaudin.

The 2017 planning committee was chaired by Tena Roemer. She was joined by Auction Committee Chair Kristy Carriere and committee members Jean Couvillion, Melanie Calicott, Missy Brown, Katie Cheatham and Tracy Barhorst; Dream Vacation Raffle Committee Co-chairs Fran Fremaux and Monte Brown and committee members Amanda Clark, Amanda Silvey, Amanda Watts, Diana Vincent, Tammy Noonan, Stephanie Ieyoub and Calvin’s Bocage Market; and Restaurant Committee Co-chairs Karen McCullen and Sharon Poche.

Serving as committee advisors were Meg Gerald, Sister Carolyn Brady, Sister Joan Laplace, Michelle Mitchell and Megan St. Germain.

The Soirée committee owes a debt of gratitude to the individuals and organizations who sponsored The Soirée. Sanctity-level sponsor was Franklin Data Empowered Direct Marketing. Joy-level sponsors were Morrison Companies and Jim Rhorer, M.D.

Spring 2017 | 11 SJA CONNECTIONS

Action-level sponsors were Air Effects/SkyTracker Gulf South, LLC; Mr. John Turner and Mr. Jerry Fischer; Kendra Scott Jewelry; Price LeBlanc Toyota/Lexus/Nissan; and Qtego Auction Technology.

Red-level sponsors were Jennifer Poe Artist; Gary M. Smith; Chas Roemer of Gulf South Capital Partners, LLC; Cajun Ready Mix Concrete, LLC; A&J Designs; and Investar Bank. White-level sponsors were Arkel Constructors Inc.; Cajun Industries, LLC; Capitol City Produce; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Dureau Jr.; Ann LaFranca and Robert Handy; Fran and Leroy Harvey; Carolyn and Nick Hebert; Hiller Orthodontics; Louis Mechanical Contractors Inc.; Anne and Tom J. Meek Jr.; Linda and Larry Messina; Perry, Atkinson, Balhoff, Mengis & Burns, LLC; New Roads Motor Company; Sharon and Tim Poche; Blaire and Jim Purgerson; Suzanne and Joe Quinlan; Raymond James and Associates Inc.; Ryson Roofing; Gabriella and Marshall St. Amant; Karen and Henri Saunders; Sissy and Ralph Stephens; Original Heroman’s Florist; School Time Uniforms; Ian and Linda Hipwell; Blend; and Liz and Tom McKowen.

Mingling at The Soirée are Katie LaPlace ’09, Principal Dr. Michele Lambert, Tim Poche, Sharon Poche and President Jan Rhorer Breen.

Enjoying The Soirée 2017 are, from left, Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald, Auction Committee Chair Kristy Carriere, committee advisor Michelle Mitchell, Soirée Committee Chair Tena Roemer, President Jan Rhorer Breen, Mission Advancement Associate Megan St. Germain and Alumnae Director Katie Jeter.

SJA Community | 12 SJA CONNECTIONS

SJA INDUCTS 2017 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS The St. Joseph’s Academy Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its 2017 class during a special celebration on February 11 in the Activity Center. Brenda LeBlanc (volleyball coach), Staci Alford Casey ’89 (softball) and Ana Wiggins Barras ’03 (gymnastics) were honored, as were members of state finalist teams from 2000 through 2005.

Kelly Sword Hurtado ’81, executive director of the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation, served as the evening’s mistress of ceremonies. “The late Pat Summitt, the legendary coach of the Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball team, was one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history,” Hurtado said. “When asked the secret to her success, she said, ‘Here’s how I’m going to beat you. I’m going to outwork you. That’s it.

That’s all there is to it.’ Each of the women we honor this evening not only knew Coach Summitt’s secret to success, they lived it. Their success is measured by the strength of their resolve, the enormity of their talent and their simple refusal to be outworked.”

Inducted into the 2017 SJA Athletic Hall of Fame were (second from left) Ana Wiggins Barras ’03, Brenda LeBlanc and Staci Alford Casey ’89. They are pictured here with, from left, Principal Dr. Michele Lambert, President Jan Rhorer Breen ’69 and Athletic Director Dorinda Beaumont.

Members of state runners-up and championship teams were recognized and received a commemorative medallion from Director of Athletics Dorinda Beaumont and former Athletic Director Kathy Saichuk.

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

The Hall of Fame planning committee was co-chaired by Averitt and Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald.

Joining them on the committee were Beaumont, Alumnae Director Katie Jeter ’04 and staff member Nan Murtagh.

Sponsors for the evening were Baker Printing, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola and Crescent Crown Distributing.

Spring 2017 | 13 SJA CONNECTIONS

TENNIS CLASSIC SETS RECORDS The fifth annual SJA Tennis Classic was one for the record books, both in the number of participants at 210 and the amount raised, more than $10,000.

Proceeds will benefit the enhancement of the Andrea Clesi McMakin ’74 STEM Lab at the school.

White-level sponsors were Arthur J. Gallagher & Company; AST Engineers; C.A.S.CO. Concrete Accessories & Supply Co. Inc., GMFS Mortgage; Ideal Weight Loss Solutions; and McConnell Brick & Block Company Inc.

In addition to the tennis competition, the tournament featured a STEM Lab demonstration by SJA students, an exhibition match featuring the SJA tennis team, live music and an awards presentation.

Court sponsors were Beausoleil Restaurant and Bar; Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelry; Brady Law Firm; Hays Breard Financial Group; Horace Wilkinson State Farm Insurance; Juban’s; Life Fitness Therapy; Lynch Construction; Rome Cleaners; Schutte, Terhoeve, Richardson, Eversberg, Cronin, Judice & Boudreaux; Specialized Industrial Maintenance; The Padial Family; and The Work Box.

Presenting sponsor for the 2017 SJA Tennis Classic was Baton Rouge Digital Products, owned and operated by Patricia Brignac Talbot, a 1984 Academy graduate.

Gold-level sponsors were Day Law Firm; Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers; Executive Suites of Baton Rouge; Iberia Bank; Lamar Advertising Company; Richards Honda; and Keystone Engineering Inc. Redlevel sponsors were Break Point Tennis Academy; Hannis T. Bourgeois CPAs and Business Advisors; Offshore Technical Compliance, LLC; Quality Court Industries; Raising Cane’s; Dr. Andrew Hargroder; and Assurance Financial.

Sister Joan Laplace, center, visits with SJA Tennis Classic chairwoman Wendy Williams Lutgring ’84, left, and Patricia Brignac Talbot ’84. Patricia’s company, Baton Rouge Digital 13 SJA Connections Products, was the tournament’s presenting sponsor.

Chairing the planning committee was Wendy Williams Lutgring ’84. She was assisted by Emily May Kline ’99, Patricia Brignac Talbot ’84, Courtney Rhodes McGraw ’89, Kim Wong Kwan ’79, Amanda Broyles Silvey ’91, Terri Nola Baldwin ’83, Tena Marchand ’88 and Michelle Lorio St. Martin ’83.

SJA Community | 14 SJA CONNECTIONS

CONGREGATION OF ST. JOSEPH CELEBRATES SERVE WITH THE SISTERS

A large group of volunteers spent Serve with the Sisters at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, where they sorted food donations and assembled food boxes.

Volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul’s Bishop Ott Sweet Dreams Shelter painted and undertook small maintenance projects to help keep the shelter “a nice place to call home.”

The Congregation of St. Joseph hosted Serve with the Sisters on March 19, inviting the St. Joseph’s Academy community to serve the dear neighbor at a variety of venues throughout Baton Rouge. Hearts United: CSJ Service Day celebrated the 10th anniversary of the founding of the new congregation from seven formerly independent communities.

Sisters, CSJ Associates, SJA faculty/staff, students and

Girls in grades 4-8 will enjoy an exciting array of enrichment opportunities in academics, athletics and the arts during Sizzling Summer 2017.

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. Look for registration details in the coming months.

14 SJA Connections

parents spent St. Joseph Day at several volunteer sites, including St. Vincent de Paul’s Bishop Ott Sweet Dreams Shelter, the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and THRIVE Academy.

The service opportunities were coordinated by Sister Adele Lambert ’54, former SJA president, Dean of Women Stacia Andricain and Admissions Director Sheri Gillio.

SUMMER 2017 Winter 2017 14

Spring 2017 | 15 SJA CONNECTIONS

BAHLINGER AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED The first-ever Josephine Bahlinger Award winners have been announced by St. Joseph’s Academy. These five incoming freshmen have been awarded $4,000 towards their ninth-grade tuition in 2017-2018.

Cecilia Castro, the daughter of Elizabeth and David Castro, attends St. Aloysius. Maisie Jones, the daughter of Shelton and Ted Jones, attends University Lab School. Theresa Kadair, the daughter of Catherine and Nebe Kadair, attends Our Lady of Mercy. Jane Laville, the daughter of Ursula and Thomas Laville, attends Our Lady of Mercy. Tiffany Tran, the daughter of Hang Vu and Daniel Tran, attends St. Thomas More.

The Josephine Bahlinger Award, named in honor of the Academy’s first graduate, is the first merit-based scholarship award given by SJA. The award is part of the Academy’s strategic plan to offer scholarships to academically gifted students as an incentive to choose SJA. Award criteria include outstanding academic performance, a history of standardized test scores in the 90th percentile, service to the school and/or community, an exemplary conduct record and active participation in co-curricular activities.

Theresa Kadair, Our Lady of Mercy

Cecilia Castro, St. Aloysius

Maisie Jones, University Lab School

Jane Laville, Our Lady of Mercy

Tiffany Tran, St. Thomas More

Alumnae 16 SJA SJA CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS AlumnaeNews News| | 16

'76 KRISTY ROUBIQUE

ALUMNAE NEWS ’60 MARY BETH SCHNEIDER MATTHEWS ’60 Mary Beth Schneider Matthews and family celebrated a special St. Joseph’s Academy commencement in May 2016. Mary Beth’s granddaughter, Caroline Matthews, was the valedictorian of the class of 2016.

“Enjoying seven granddaughters is reassurance that the legacy of the Academy continues,” Mary Beth said.

’85 KERRY BRENNER DAVID ’85 Kerry Brenner David has been named executive vice president and chief legal officer of Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I), a $10 billion Fortune 500 company. She has served in private practice and as corporate counsel for companies in the engineering and construction industry for 25 years. She has extensive experience in compliance, contract negotiation, labor and employment law, government contracts, mergers and acquisitions and litigation. Prior to her new role, Kerry served as chief compliance counsel for CB&I. Kerry joined CB&I in 2013 through the acquisition of The Shaw Group Inc. She served as the company’s first and only chief compliance officer. Kerry holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a juris doctor degree from Louisiana State University.

’76 Kristy Roubique was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for CSJ Ministries Inc. The Congregation of St. Joseph sponsors approximately 25 ministries as a means to express and extend the 360-year-old mission in today’s world. CSJ Ministries, created in 2008, provides support for and oversight of most of the sponsored ministries of the Congregation. As the sponsorship arm of the congregation, it is totally dedicated to current and future sponsored ministries.

’00 ASHLEY WOODS MARBURY ’00 Ashley Woods Marbury has been named the city prosecutor for Port Allen City Court, having jurisdiction over misdemeanor and traffic offenses. She also is currently serving as the assistant district attorney in West Baton Rouge Parish.

’04 MIGNON TOWN KASTANOS ’04 Mignon Town Kastanos has been named the administrative assistant to the president and chief executive officer of the LSU Alumni Association.

Previously, she served as chief of staff to the president and chief executive officer of Genesco Sports Enterprises, a marketing and consulting firm in Dallas.

’07 DR. MARCIE ADAMS ’07 Dr. Marcie Adams received a DDS from the LSU School of Dentistry in May and is practicing in Baton Rouge. She holds a bachelor of science in biological science from LSU, where her memberships included Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Spring 2017 | 17 SJA CONNECTIONS

’12 TIFFANY M. KELLY

’12 Tiffany M. Kelly was selected to participate in Hackaton at the 2017 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston, presented by ESPN. There were approximately 1,000 applicants for the conference, with 40 chosen to participate. Tiffany was the only woman presented to NBA and ESPN executives.

Hackaton participants developed creative ideas that advance the application of data analysis and visualization in sports analytics. Experts from ESPN’s Sports Analytics Team provided mentorship throughout the event. Presently, Tiffany serves as a tutor for student-athletes at The Cox Academic Center at LSU. She is a recent graduate of Nova Southeastern in computer science and sports management.

’13 CAMERON BALKOM ’13 Cameron Balkom finished her swimming career at the University of Houston as a top five finisher in 100 breaststroke (1:02.16) and 200 breaststroke (2:14.38). These are qualifying D1 NCAA “B” cuts.

Cameron served as team captain her junior and senior years and represented the University of Houston at Nationals in 2016. She helped lead the Cougars to a 20162017 American Athletic Conference Championship, the first in program history. Cameron was also selected to the AAC All-Academic team. She completes her degree in May.

’14 LINDSAY HAGMANN ’14 Lindsay Hagmann was named Swimmer of the Meet at the 2017 Southern College Athletic Conference Swim Meet. Lindsay dominated the competition, placing first in the 100 freestyle (new conference record), 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and as a member of the 200 medley, 800 free, 200 free and 400 free relay teams. Her 400 medley relay team finished second.

new orleans

’14 Marianne Konikoff will intern at Altman Vilandrie & Company this summer in Boston. The company is a strategy consulting firm focusing primarily on the telecommunications, media and technology sectors. As an analyst, Marianne will work on a variety of projects related to new product launches, operations optimization, private equity research and other company needs.

Marianne is a junior math major at Yale University. She spent six weeks last summer in London, studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

’14 MARIANNE KONIKOFF

Wednesday MAY

3

2017

6:oo

At the home of

to

Kim Gant Shackleton ’72

8:00

130 West Oakridge Park Metairie, LA 70005

p.m.

p.m.

RSVP to Katie Jeter at jeterk@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2244

Alums Today | 18 SJA CONNECTIONS

ALUMNA WORKS TO INCREASE WOMEN’S POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT IN EMERGING DEMOCRACIES two years in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), working with civil society organizations and activists advancing the country’s electoral process.

Allyson Quijano ’99 founded Seneca Project to increase women’s participation in the democratic process.

As young children, Allyson Quijano and her siblings were introduced to service by their parents, who were active community volunteers. Talk around the family dinner table often turned to robust discussions of social issues.

After graduating from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1999, Allyson attended Louisiana State University. During her sophomore year, she traveled to El Salvador with her father, an American Red Cross volunteer working on a disaster relief project. The experience solidified her desire to pursue international development work and, because international law informs both humanitarian and development policy, led to her decision to pursue law as a career.

Allyson earned a juris doctor degree from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans. She also studied at the University of Paris and Georgetown University Law Center.

Along the way, she interned and worked with Millennium Challenge Corporation and The Carter Center.

After completing her federal clerkship, Allyson was confident she had the technical training and passion for governance work abroad and spent

Today, Allyson works across Africa and the Middle East on a variety of development and humanitarian issues as a researcher, advocate, project manager and technical advisor. “I’m currently finalizing a comparative analysis for a United Nations entity on financial flows around the Syrian Refugee Crisis to identify strategic investment and financial instruments in support of host countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, countries which are generously hosting millions of refugees,” she said. “It’s a project that merges my knowledge of financial instruments, administrative law, regional politics and donor strategies.”

Humanitarian organizations including the International Rescue Committee also benefit from Allyson’s time and talents. She serves as a program coordinator for emergency responses around the world by managing grants to provide the financing for engineers, doctors and women’s advocates to deliver services to vulnerable populations worldwide.

During her time in DRC, Allyson witnessed countless examples of women being deterred from running for political office. She also saw that advancements with women’s voting rights are not reflected in political leadership. “Yet data shows that improving gender equity and increasing women’s participation in government correlates with poverty reduction and economic growth,” she said.

“Further, we know that women politicians invest in public services critical to improving maternal health, lowering childhood mortality and universal access to primary education. So a country’s development in many ways depends on its ability to ensure equal access to lead.”

To address these needs, Allyson founded Seneca Project, which increases women’s participation in the democratic process and the number of women elected to public office by harnessing technology for mentorship, outreach and training. The rapid growth of information technology across Africa fosters standard methods for training and collaboration. These developments enable efficient mechanisms for Seneca Project to connect candidates with experts, donors and mentors, Allyson said.

“There are many instances when I’ve been the only woman in the room at a political meeting,” Allyson said. “It’s an odd feeling, but it has made me acutely aware of the real loss when women aren’t included. It’s easy to be passionate about Seneca Project after witnessing this and understanding how inclusion benefits everyone.”

Elections in young democracies, such as Mali, are logistically challenging, very local and effortful, according to Allyson Quijano. “You’ll notice there is a woman in the background,” she said. “Several young democracies have created rules and, in certain countries, they have passed laws requiring women’s participation, so at least in this photo, there is a female observer at the polling station.” Photo by Joe Penney/Courtesy Reuters.

Currently, Seneca Project is raising money to support the development of the online platform and user interfaces.

“We’ve successfully attracted partnerships with other nonprofit institutions, which wish to use our platform for their existing programs and are sharing their educational and training materials in addition to connecting us to our beta group – women already participating in political leadership training in Africa – for early testing,” Allyson said.

When not working abroad, Allyson lives west of Denver in Evergreen, Colorado, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. “It’s a beautiful place to return home to, and I have embraced the mountain way,” she said.

“Hikes start out my back door, while skiing and snowboarding are only an hour away. I read a tremendous amount and recently began studying Arabic after working in the Middle East. It’s slow but a fun way to learn more about the region.”

For Allyson, serving others is not only her calling in life, it’s her passion. She said it’s extremely satisfying and motivating to strategize and problem solve with dynamic team members. “My days are never the same, and that keeps things interesting,” she said. “Working with so many different groups ensures I’m always learning about new cultures and ethnic groups and enables me to explore new parts of the world. It’s both humbling and inspiring to witness lawyers and activists in other countries fight for political and civil rights in their young countries and collaborate with one another.”

Spring 2017 | 19 SJA CONNECTIONS Spring 2017 | 19 SJA CONNECTIONS

GRADUATE LANDS RESEARCH JOB AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY St. Joseph’s Academy graduate Wellesley Dittmar has parlayed the experience she gained researching her SJA Science Fair projects into an equine research opportunity at Mississippi State University.

In just her freshman year at MSU, Wellesley also embraced the challenge of writing a grant to fund work to prolong the viability of lung tissue from euthanized horses to ensure maximum experimental data.

Wellesley grew up with horses and has always been interested in equine veterinary medicine. She said the six horses at her family’s Baton Rouge home are her inspiration. “Knowing creatures like them made me passionate about learning how to heal illnesses and injuries,” she said. “My interest in the research aspect of veterinary medicine came from SJA’s Science Fair program. During my junior year, [Science Fair Coordinator] Mrs. [Linda] Messina placed me with a mentor in the vet school at LSU, and while we did completely different research from what I’m doing now, the experience made me realize how much I loved the exploratory potential that research offered me. When I came to Mississippi State, I was able to take that love for research and transfer it to equine medicine, which has always been my dream. I guess you could say that I’m living the best of both worlds at this point.”

Wellesley, the recipient of an MSU Provost Scholarship, works in a lab dedicated to researching equine diseases, specifically equine asthma. “I do a lot of work evaluating the airway smooth muscle present in the lung tissue of affected horses and judging the breathing of each horse in the herd that we keep at the vet school,” she said. “I’m also working to design an improved cell culture plate lid with my professor at the vet school and the head of my engineering department, an idea that hopefully would improve the life span of refrigerated tissues. I’ve been incredibly blessed with the opportunities that I’ve received so far, and I love everything that I’m doing.”

At the completion of her undergraduate program, Wellesley plans to go to vet school. Her goal is to attain a dual DVM-Ph.D. degree and possibly teach in a university setting. “Whatever I do, I definitely know I want it to involve horses and research,” she said.

In addition to her 19 credit-hour load, working with two research horses and playing an active role in her lab’s ongoing research, Wellesley works weekends at a food pantry sponsored by her church. She is also enjoying the college experience and MSU community.

“The atmosphere here is amazing,” she said. “Everyone on campus is incredibly friendly, and the community here is truly something special. My favorite part about being here is being part of the Bulldog family with so many amazing and kind people. I love the horses that I get to work with here and the church that I go to. I love going to baseball games with my friends and being able to show off my campus to my family when they come to visit. I’ve even grown to love the incessant ringing of the cowbells during football season, even if it took a little getting used to at first.

“I also really enjoy the freedom I have to plan my own schedule,” she added.

“Since I have so many things going on this semester, it’s been a challenge to balance everything in a way that means I can research, study, see my friends and still sleep every once in a while. It’s a challenge that I enjoy, though. I love how busy I am. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Wellesley Dittmar ’16 and one of the herd horses at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Alums Today | 20 SJA CONNECTIONS

ALUMNA ELECTED PRESIDENT OF SPRING HILL COLLEGE SGA

the cafeteria. I also advocated for healthier foods and worked with the staff to provide more options.”

In addition to her work with SGA, Ellie is a member of Phi Mu Fraternity and participates in the Women’s Sodality, a religious group whose members strive to live like our Blessed Mother.

Ellie Seiter, center, is pictured at her 2015 graduation with her mother, Elizabeth Dauzat Seiter ’79, and grandmother, Shirley Marino Dauzat ’55. Ellie was named the recipient of The Medaille Outstanding Classmate Award.

Her mother received the same award 36 years earlier.

Ellie Seiter, a 2015 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy and a sophomore at Spring Hill College, has been elected president of her school’s Student Government Association (SGA) for 2017-2018. Ellie is in the Honors College at Spring Hill, majoring in psychology with a biology and health science double minor.

Off campus, Ellie helps teach children’s dance classes and volunteers with the Young Life youth group. She serves as a mentor and counselor to high school students and leads a devotional lesson each Wednesday morning. “I also attend various high school sporting events and activities to really just be a presence in these kids’ lives,” she said.

Ellie said her involvement with SGA is particularly meaningful because it enables her to meet the needs of her fellow Badgers. “Our school is a very special place, and being able to help others make this place their home, whether it be students, staff, faculty, administration or anyone in the Spring Hill community, has been beyond amazing,” she said.

“I am very shocked and excited, especially considering I am the first female president elected in more than 10 years,” Ellie said.

Ellie’s involvement with the Student Government Association began during her freshman year when she was elected to the SGA senate and, subsequently, as freshman class president. At the conclusion of her freshman year, she was appointed to the SGA cabinet and served as secretary of campus life during her sophomore year. “In this role, I deal with student concerns,” she said. “You hear an issue? It comes to me. As a result, I have developed great relationships with students, but also I worked closely with the administration. Transparency is a big thing I value in my position, so I basically act as a liaison between students and administration. I’m very thankful for these relationships. It will help a lot next year.”

Among Ellie’s areas of focus are the Spring Hill housing system and cafeteria. “One specific thing I did this year was meet with students with dietary needs/allergies to see what we could do,” she said.

“I was able to get an ‘organic cart’ in the back of

Ellie Seiter is the newly elected president of the Student Government Association at Spring Hill College.

CONNECTIONS | 21| |21 SJA 21SJA SJA CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS Spring 2017 Spring 2017Today Alums

ALUM EMBRACES ANCIENT ART FORM and accomplished icon writer. Michael Anne expressed her interest in learning to write icons.

Two years later, the Botanic Gardens at Burden sponsored a weeklong workshop, and Mrs. Bolin was the instructor. She invited Michael Anne to attend. “I immediately jumped on the opportunity and attended the workshop, where we wrote St. Thomas,” Michael Anne said. “She taught us a little of the history of iconography and guided us through each step of the process, which involves layers upon layers of paint to achieve the luminescent effect. We also applied actual gold leaf for the halo which added to the overall beauty of the icon.”

As a third grader at St. Joseph’s Academy, Michael Anne Kleinpeter Percy had the good fortune of studying art with Adelié Brent, a renowned artist and the school’s art teacher from 1954 through 1966.

Mrs. Brent’s legacy at SJA is pervasive: Her paintings of the Stations of the Cross hang in the Chapel, and she designed the enamel work and faceted glass windows.

Michael Anne credits Mrs. Brent for instilling in her an appreciation for drawing and painting and encouraging her to pursue art as a fun and rewarding pastime.

In 2001, Michael Anne accompanied her daughter’s high school Latin Club on a trip to Europe, spending time in Italy and Greece. “In Greece, I remember being awestruck by the beautiful Greek icons on display in the churches and shops,” she said. “I bought a St. Michael and a St. Anna icon for my children.”

Ten years later, the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden presented an icon show which Michael Ann attended. Again, she was struck by the beauty of the icons and embraced the opportunity to visit with some of their writers. “In iconography, I learned that you do not paint an icon but rather write it, as it is a holy prayer,” Michael Anne explained. “It has been an art form since the early days of Christianity.”

While there, Michael Anne met show organizer Ginnie Coerver Bolin, a 1948 Academy graduate

Michael Anne continues to participate in workshops, including one at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington conducted by world-renowned iconographer Phillip Zimmerman and another conducted by Raymond Calvert, who has been commissioned to do works in churches throughout the New Orleans area. She has completed 14 icons to date.

“It has truly been a very spiritual and rewarding endeavor,” Michael Anne said. “I have met and made some dear friends while attending the workshops. As a result, six of us formed our own icon group. We meet once a week and select a group icon to work on or sometimes just do our own. I am very grateful to Ginnie Bolin for introducing me to this beautiful art form.”

Michael Anne Kleinpeter Percy ’69 is pictured with some of her icons, an art form dating to the early days of Christianity.

Alums Today | 22 SJA CONNECTIONS

GRADUATE TRAVELS TO INDIA TO VISIT NATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR Natalie said she especially enjoyed touring university research facilities and discussing science with college students working there. “It provided me with both an educational and social perspective on Indian young life,” she said. “We were able to share our different experiences in different labs in different countries but still bonded over our common love for discovery. Our group was able to give advice to the participants of the national Indian fair and provide feedback on their projects; in turn, they opened their country to us and kindly welcomed us. These science fair participants do represent the future, so interacting with such a group is scientifically enriching and rewarding.”

Natalie Bush, a 2016 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, traveled to India in December to visit the country’s national science fair: Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS). Natalie earned the trip as a Best of Category winner in the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held in May in Phoenix.

Natalie also received $8,000 in scholarship awards for her project, Staying Afloat: Utilizing the Physiological Adaptation Mechanisms of Marsh Vegetation and the Use of Mathematical Modeling for Barrier Island Restoration, Year Three.

While in India, Natalie met her international science fair peers, visited universities and research facilities and enjoyed the unique culture of the Indian subcontinent.

“This learning experience exposed me to the rich culture and traditions of the earliest civilizations,” she said. “This cultural and educational trip to India allowed me to trace the roots of history to the present day and reflect on how science influences cultural development. Science is such a central part of my American life, but it is also crucial to lives all around the world, and the journey to India proved that science connects researchers from different countries.”

A freshman at Baylor University, Natalie is pursuing a degree in biochemistry with a secondary degree in classics in the Honors Program and Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC). She said the years she spent researching her science fair project as a student at SJA instilled in her a desire to connect her studies to real environmental and societal issues. “The mix between science and humanity courses has allowed me to pursue my scientific passions but also learn the importance of acting on one’s education and making observable change,” she said. “In the future, I hope to continue conducting research and studying the interplay between organisms, disease and environmental impacts.”

Natalie Bush, second from right, traveled to India in December to visit the country’s national science fair.

She was accompanied by fellow Intel ISEF finalists Jiwoo Lee and Edward Kim Sanyoong.

Spring 2017 | 23 SJA CONNECTIONS

SJA HOSTS CAREER DAY The St. Joseph’s Academy Alumnae Association and Counseling Center hosted Career Day 2017 on March 15.

Nearly 90 career women gathered on campus to share their career experiences with sophomores and juniors.

Career Day 2017 featured four sessions: guest speakers Jenni Peters, owner of Varsity Sports, and Kellie Michelli Barton ’86, director of education and talent management at Our Lady of the Lake; a panel of young alumnae who are current university students or recent graduates; and a business expo, enabling students to visit 21 different tables and talk to women in careers of interest to them. Career areas included fashion/hospitality management; interior design/architecture; graphic design/art; web design/videography/technology; engineering; chemistry/forensics/pharmacy; animal sciences; finances; dental hygiene/dentistry; marketing/advertising; catering/event coordination; physician’s assistant; physical therapist/athletic trainer; medicine; nursing; public relations/ communications; law; learning specialists/religious education; social work; education; and counseling.

The 68 Academy graduates who participated in the business expo were Yvette Barbier Aillet ’09, Amy Andrews ’06, Ana Andricain ’86, Lauren Arikol ’09, Stephanie Gremillion Babin ’05, Natalie Bratton ’04, Lizzie Butler Broussard ’03, Stephanie Spielman Cargile ’88, Elizabeth Beyer Carter ’86, Stephanie Cauble, MD ’96, Rebecca Carriere Christofferson, Ph.D. ’98, Lisa Westmoreland Collier ’81, Kate Butler Cook ’01,

Eighty-eight career women, including 68 Academy graduates, participated in this year’s Career Day.

Aimee Cronan ’96, Mary Kadair Crump ’76, Mandy Poche Cushing ’98, Allison Davis ’07, Stacie Lambert deBlieux ’97, Allison Brocato Dillard ’84, Erin Dauterive DiPalma, MD ’00, Monique Douglas ’08, Elaine Vidrine Duke ’10, Conchetta Foshee ’86, Claudia Poche Frantz ’06, Kristin Loup Green ’03, Merritt Guercio ’09, Angela Begue Hammett ’92, Kali Sanches Hay ’04, Stefania Himpler ’04, Anne Hindrichs ’81, Jeannemarie Drane Hinkle, MD ’86, Mary Dedeaux Honoré ’02, Maia Key ’08, Leigh Ann King ’06, Kelly Davis Leff ’03, Kristen LeBleu Losavio, MD ’00, Jennifer Rome Maggio ’02, Marlo Constantino Martin ’02, Sarah Elisar McCann ’08, Elizabeth Allgood McKnight ’02, Gina Lato McKnight ’86, Emily Hipwell Monsour ’99, Sara Hipwell Monsour ’93, Hayden Moore ’05, Jennifer Duplechin Oberthier ’04, Gracie Palombo ’09, Stephanie Fife Parenton ’04, Kathryn Dugas Podorsky ’86, Deanna Ledet Saab ’02, Christi Schott ’03, Liz Dauzat Seiter, MD ’79, Shannon Speeg ’02, Angelle Lavergne Terry ’03, Terrie Thomas, MD ’93, Sarah Jeansonne Wampler ’04, Tia Lockett Whittington ’04 and Nicole Willoughby ’06.

Young alumnae participants were Rebecca Andries ’12, Laura Flandez ’12, Caroline Gremillion ’11, Mary Miller ’11, Morgan Simpson ’11, Megan St. Germain ’11, Emily Tassin ’12 and Adrienne Wood ’11.

Career Day was coordinated by Alumnae Director Katie Jeter ’04 and school counselor Amy Scheurich House ’98.

Alums Today | 24 SJA CONNECTIONS

ALUMNAE DONATE ITEMS TO SJA ARCHIVES Several St. Joseph’s Academy graduates recently donated school memorabilia to SJA Archives.

As we prepare to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of SJA in Baton Rouge by the Sisters of St. Joseph, we welcome the donation of items that will help us to tell our story. Please contact Archivist Gretchen Fairbanks at (225) 383-7207, ext. 415 or fairbanksg@sjabr.org.

Lynn Bergeron Robertson ’47 made a gift of the following items that belonged to her mother-in-law, Elizabeth Uter Robertson ’32: a casual photograph of the class of 1932; a basketball scorebook with entries from 1931 and 1932, complete with players’ names and opponents; a photograph of the 1930-1931 basketball team; and a framed picture of the class of 1932 that was given as a souvenir to members of the class. Lynn also donated items that belonged to Eloise Bernard ’41, including a photograph of the class of 1941 and a bound copy of Student Prints, Volume XI, Nos. 1-8.

Archives scanned and printed a picture of the kindergarten class of 1952-1953. The photo is owned by Mary Dardenne Michel ’67.

Yvette DuCote Babin ’71 donated an oil painting of a magnolia blossom by Sister Agatha Chauvin.

Spring 2017 | 25 SJA CONNECTIONS Spring 2017 | 25 SJA CONNECTIONS

ALUMNAE TRAVEL TO SAN FRANCISCO AND THE NAPA VALLEY St. Joseph’s Academy hosted the 2017 SJA Alumnae Trip to San Francisco and the Napa Valley March 29-April 2.

Among the highlights of the trip was a reunion with West Coast graduates on March 30 at the Casemore Kirkeby Gallery hosted by Julie Casemore ’86.

During their stay, the group enjoyed a bus tour of San Francisco featuring the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and Haight Ashbury. Day two took the travelers to Napa and Sonoma Valley, where they embarked upon private tours of two vineyards. Also included was free time to explore the San Francisco sights of interest to the alums.

Representing SJA were Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald and Alumnae Director Katie Jeter ’04.

Enjoying the sights and sounds of San Francisco are (front row, left to right) Susan Hill Hoffman ’77, Karen Hebert Briggs ’76, Leslie Hebert Carbo ’77 and Katie Jeter ’04; and (back row, left to right) Jane Conley ’67, Anita Parsons King ’77, Liz Conley Walker ’69, Sandy Darensbourg ’66, Sarah Jeansonne Wampler ’04, Michael Anne Kleinpeter Percy ’69, Patti Kleinpeter Hart ’71, Karen Edward Styron ’01, Jere Kleinpeter ’07, Colleen Conley George ’77 and Gwen Conley Bizette ’73. Not pictured: Meg Gerald, Pat Richards, Courtney Rhodes McGraw ’89 and Elizabeth Chesson Richards ’89.

A reunion for alumnae living in the Bay area was held on March 30 at the Casemore Kirkeby Gallery hosted by Julie Casemore ’86. She is pictured, second from right, with Alyse Talbot Manglik ’04, Lynn Samuels LaPorte ’72 and Helen Luikart-Arnold ’79.

Members of the class of 2004 posed for a picture at the March 30 reunion. From left, they are SJA Alumnae Director Katie Jeter, Sarah Jeansonne Wampler and Alyse Talbot Manglik.

The Conley sisters enjoyed family time in San Francisco. They are, from left, Gwen Conley Bizette ’73, Colleen Conley George ’77, Liz Conley Walker ’69 and Jane Conley ’67.

On Campus SJA CONNECTIONS | 26 26SJA SJACONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS Annual Fund| |26 Alums Today

WE’RE CLOSE TO REALIZING OUR GOAL; PLEASE JOIN US! “A good goal is like a strenuous exercise: It makes you stretch.” ~ Mary Kay Ash In July, we set a goal to raise $535,000 of our 2016-2017 school budget through the Annual Fund. Mary Kay Ash was right: It has been like a strenuous exercise, but like all exercise, it promises great benefits for the girls and our school.

Currently, faculty/staff, parents, alumnae and friends have raised $466,877. We are so close to realizing our goal.

We need to continue to stretch in order to reach our goal before the end of the school year.

Your gift to St. Joseph’s Academy produces great effect: in classrooms, science labs, art spaces and on the field of competition. Your gift helps sustain the academic programs that support our Innovation and Design students winning the Junior Achievement’s Big Pitch; our choirs bringing home the Sweepstakes Trophy from the District Choir Assessment Festival; our swimmers winning their sixth consecutive state championship; an increased number of AP and Merit Scholars; and seniors who garner college scholarships. Every student and future student will benefit directly from your gift to the Annual Fund.

This year, funds will be used to increase the number of AP classes, create the AP Capstone program, renovate classrooms and enhance our athletic training facilities. Each of these improvements underlines our commitment to continuing the tradition of excellence Baton Rouge has come to expect from this four-time Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

The Annual Fund continues to be the primary vehicle for members of the Academy community to join together in a meaningful effort to support the mission of this great school. If you have not yet had the opportunity to give, please consider making a donation online or by check. Every contribution, of any size, to the Annual Fund makes a difference! All gifts work together to provide direct benefits for the girls and our faculty.

If you have any questions, please contact Mission Advancement Director Meg Gerald at (225) 3882254 or geraldm@sjabr.org.

STICKA FIYA ENGAGES SENIORS IN ANNUAL FUND Since 2013, a committee of current seniors has worked to educate their classmates on the importance of SJA’s Annual Fund. The Sticka Fiya program engages current seniors in partnering with their alma mater over the next five years and, hopefully, beyond.

SECOND GIVE DAY A SUCCESS

Seniors make a pledge of $5 during their last year at SJA and of $10 a year for the next four years of college. Gifts can be made in honor of a parent, faculty or staff member or friend.

Family, friends and alumnae of St. Joseph’s Academy showed their love for SJA on February 14 during the second Give Day. The 24-hour online giving campaign brought in $28,379 from with 314 donors across the country. Thank you to all who contributed as one of SJA’s Valentines this year, especially Laureen Callo ’83 and Liz Batchelor McKowen ’72, who provided the event with matching gift challenges.

This year’s Sticka Fiya committee is striving to reach 50 percent participation by the seniors’ last day of school.

They are currently at 42 percent with 118 girls participating in the campaign. This year’s committee members are Caroline Balhoff, Cora Barhorst, Gabby Bella, Madelyn Bridges, Donyelle Ford, Amelia-Ann Gillio, Abigail Green, Madison Hasenkampf, Gabrielle Jolivette, Sophie Landry, Allyson Lutgring, Paige Melancon, Mi’Yana Solomon and Ainsley Sonnier.

Planned Giving | 27 SJA CONNECTIONS

THE ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY LEGACY SOCIETY A planned gift is a way to impact the lives of students attending St. Joseph’s Academy beyond your lifetime. A planned gift can be implemented during your lifetime or as part of your estate through your will or trust. Anyone, regardless of income level, can make a tremendous investment in the future of SJA by initiating a planned gift. Planning your gift may also help minimize taxes for yourself and your beneficiaries.

Several options exist that could help you give more than you thought possible while achieving your personal financial goals. You can also specify how SJA is to use your gift. The most common planned gift is a bequest in your will or living trust. Other planned gifts include: •A n outright cash bequest (a fixed amount or a percentage of an estate) • Retirement plan assets • Appreciated property • Life insurance policy • Charitable lead trust • Oil and mineral rights

The following members of the Academy Legacy Society are helping to ensure the future of an Academy education for generations to come.

Mr. and Mrs. Sidney V. Arbour + Noblet Huye Barry + Mr. and Mrs. James M. Bernhard Jr., CRT Mrs. Catherine Gottlieb Boeker ’32 + Ms. Helen L. Bolin ’77 Mrs. Jane T. Boyce + Dr. Louis J. and Laura Capozzoli + Mrs. Raye Anne Chesnut + Louis D. Curet + Lawrence J. Delaune Sr. + Ms. Gail Gaiennie ’66

As an added benefit, when you make a planned gift or document an estate gift of any amount, the SJA Foundation honors you with membership in the SJA Legacy Society. If you have or plan to leave a legacy gift to SJA, please advise us. We would like to recognize and properly thank you for including St. Joseph’s Academy in your estate plans.

If you are interested in blessing our school with a legacy gift, or if you know of anyone who has already included St. Joseph’s Academy in his or her will, please contact Sister Joan Laplace at laplacej@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2220 or Meg Gerald at geraldm@sjabr.org or (225) 388-2254. We would be happy to work with your financial advisor or estate planner to help customize your gift or to suggest the services of a professional.

Rev. Howard Hall + Margaret Duchamp Halphen ’58 + Linda Fryoux Harvison ’66 Mrs. Stacey Emick Howell ’88 Alma S. Jolly ’37 + Mary deGeneres Jones ’49 + Ms. Jo Ellen Kearny ’67 Nolan J. Keller Sr. + Mrs. Shirley Copponex Killgore ’37 + Mrs. Anita Parsons King ’77 Mrs. Louise T. Kyle + Mr. and Mrs. Jules L. Lamothe + Claire Mackay Loup ’38 + Dr. and Mrs. Tom J. Meek Catherine Tarbett + and Servando H. Mendez +

Andrea Clare Miranda ’80 + Kathryn Trick Mount ’98 Madeline Ortlieb Nesbit ’40 + Ms. Penny L. Nichols ’64 + Marvin V. Ourso + Dr. Claude J. Patin + Mrs. Danni Bourgeois Pecue ’58 + Jane Brown Pirkle ’55 + Twana Michelli Pulliam ’84 Stefana Lungaro Ruiz + Ms. Peggy Stuart ’52 Suzanne Harris ’85 and Steve Vincent 4 Anonymous + Deceased

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 SJA 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 St. Joseph’s Academy in a will.

Name(s): Address: Email:

City: Phone:

State: ______

Zip: __________

On Campus | 28 SJA CONNECTIONS

SJA FINISHES THIRD IN TECH CHALLENGE St. Joseph’s Academy finished third in the 11th annual Louisiana High School Online Technology Challenge. This year’s event, held February 22, 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 2006, approximately 5,690 high school students from more than 100 high schools have participated in the competition.

Members of SJA’s Tech Challenge Team work on a task during the 2017 Louisiana High School Online Technology Challenge.

SJA Technology Operations Specialist Krysia Sherburne, a 2012 SJA graduate, served as coach of this year’s team. “It was incredible to watch the students work together to organize themselves, come up with creative and novel ideas to complete the tasks and create final projects that were professional, engaging and detailed,” Krysia said.

“Each and every student contributed to the team’s efforts, and the judges clearly took note of their hard work. Placing in the top three is an indication of these students’ tremendous skills, talents and creativity, and we are so proud of them.”

1982

Save the Date

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY CLASS OF 1982 35-Year Reunion

July 14: SJA Girls’ Night Out July 15: SJA/CHS Joint Event

Location and Time TBA For more information, contact Robin Duvieilh Parker ’82 at rpresearch@hotmail.com.

Spring 2017 | 29 SJA CONNECTIONS

SENIORS HOST JUSTICE FOR ALL BALL Three St. Joseph’s Academy seniors organized and hosted a formal dance for students with disabilities. The Justice for All Ball, held February 18 in the community room of Mother Alice Hall, was enjoyed by 19 guests, each of whom was paired with an SJA “buddy.”

Avery Davis, Caitlin O’Connor and Abigail Polson were inspired to create the Mardi Gras-themed dance after participating in this summer’s Community Builders for Peace Conference with students from sister school Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, Illinois. The conference kicked off participants’ yearlong commitment to experience the call to community, peace, justice and reconciliation as part of the Congregation of St. Joseph’s mission and charism.

Dean of Women Stacia Andricain applauded the seniors’ efforts. “When they first mentioned their idea to me, I thought it was a great one,” she said. “I was so proud of them for wanting to reach out to others in the community and form new friendships. The SJA students who attended the ball were wonderful ‘buddies’ for our guests. The affirmation from the parents of our guests was a beautiful testament to the need for this type of event. We plan on making it a yearly dance. It was a night of friendship, food and lots of dancing.”

Guests at the Justice for All Ball enjoyed an evening of dancing, friendship and fun.

Kick off SJA’s 150th Anniversary Celebration with

Wednesday, June 6, through Saturday, June 16, 2018

Lyon, Paris and LePuy, the birthplace of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1650.

Estimated cost: $3,500 (plus airfare) For more information, please contact Alumnae Director Katie Jeter at (225) 388-2244 or jeterk@sjabr.org.

On Campus | 30 SJA CONNECTIONS

WINTER SPORTS WRAP COMPETITION SEASONS The winter sports season came to a close in February, and the St. Joseph’s Academy track and field, soccer and basketball teams posted impressive finishes.

TRACK AND FIELD The track and field team finished third in the Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA State Indoor Track Meet, the highest finish in school history. The championship meet, held February 18 in the Carl Maddox Field House at LSU, featured 40 teams, 31 of which scored points.

The 4x800 meter relay team of Elise Bordlee, Claire Andries, Leanne Livingston and Taylor Winters finished second in the indoor state championship meet with a time of 10:10.71.

Gabbi Chauvin, who will join the cross country and track and field teams at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette next year, finished second in the 1,600 meter run and fifth in the 800 meter run. Other top finishers were the 4x800 meter relay team of Taylor Winters, Leanne Livingston, Claire Andries and Elise Bordlee, who finished second; Lauren Hendry and Jennifer Bennett, who finished third and fourth, respectively, in the 3,200 meter run; Landry West, who finished fourth in the triple jump; and Catherine Couvillion, who finished fifth in the high jump.

SOCCER The soccer team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Division I LHSAA state soccer tournament before falling 3-1 to #2 Byrd on February 13. The #7-seed Redstickers finished the year at 16-7-3 and were the 2016-2017 District 5 champions.

Junior Meghan Johnson controls the ball during the quarterfinalround matchup against C.E. Byrd.

BASKETBALL The basketball team beat C.E. Byrd in the regional round of the state playoffs on February 20.

The #8-seed Redstickers defeated #9 Byrd 51-45 in overtime. The team advanced to the quarterfinal round on February 23, falling to top-ranked John Curtis 53-24.

Senior Ally Lutgring brings the ball up court during a regional playoff win versus C.E. Byrd.

Spring 2017 | 31 SJA CONNECTIONS

SJA CHEERLEADERS WIN BRONZE MEDAL AT CHEER NATIONALS

The St. Joseph’s Academy cheerleaders captured the bronze medal at the 2017 National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) in the Large Junior Varsity division. The competition was held February 11 and 12 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

The SJA squad finished first in Saturday morning’s 17-team semifinal round, advancing to the finals on Saturday night, competing against eight teams.

Coach Chelsea Milazzo expressed her pride in the squad’s effort. “I could not have asked for a more determined group of girls to work with this year,” she said. “Throughout everything they faced this season, they managed to accomplish a goal of being in the top three at UCA nationals. SJA definitely made a name for themselves this past weekend. I am so proud to be their coach, and I cannot wait for next year.”

The SJA Athletic Department hosted its 28th annual Seafood Supper on March 31. SJA student-athletes sell tickets for the fundraiser, which provides funding each year for major purchases beyond the Athletic Department’s regular budget.

The SJA cheerleaders are winners of the bronze medal at this year’s National High School Cheerleading Championship.

On Campus | 32 SJA CONNECTIONS

DADS, DAUGHTERS CELEBRATE DAY IN THEIR HONOR

St. Joseph’s Academy students and their dads gathered on campus March 12 for Father-Daughter Day 2017. The event is hosted each year by the SJA Dads’ Club. This year’s theme was My Dad’s A Catch.

The day began with mass in the Activity Center.

Father John Carville was the celebrant. He also blessed the medals which were given to the dads of seniors. Following mass, guests enjoyed a jambalaya lunch with salad and cookies. Fathers and daughters then teamed up for fun and games, including beanbag toss, bocce ball and horseshoes.

Father-Daughter Day 2017 was chaired by Dan Boudreaux. Planning the mass and liturgical music were faculty members Hugo Andricain, Dana Murray and Aimee Cronin. Awards and door prizes were donated by Dan Boudreaux, Benny’s Car Wash, Evan Cooper, Grand Cinema, Qdoba and Fleet Feet.

Academy girls and their dads enjoyed games and activities as part of SJA’s Father-Daughter Day 2017.

Spring 2017 | 33 SJA CONNECTIONS

STUDENTS AND MOMS ENJOY MOTHER-DAUGHTER BRUNCH & STYLE SHOW Nearly 1,000 students and their mothers enjoyed the 2017 Mother-Daughter Brunch & Style Show, hosted by the St. Joseph’s Academy Mothers’ Club on April 2. The theme for this year’s event, held at the Raising Cane’s River Center, was The Fantastic Voyage of SJA. Seniors, accompanied by their moms, modeled the latest spring fashions. Participating boutiques were NK Boutique, Hemline Boutique Towne Center, Head Over Heels, Love, Edit, Eros, Blu Spero, Hemline Boutique Highland, Aria and Chatta Box. A. Marcelite Salon and Friends did the seniors’ hair. Jeneé DeJean Scott ’00 coordinated the stylists’ efforts.

Door prizes were provided by Kendra Scott, The Royal Standard, Dorm Décor and European Wax Center. In-kind sponsors were Lamar Advertising of Houma, Raising Cane’s River Center and Premier Sound Services.

Robin Green chaired the 2017 planning committee. She was assisted by Jennifer Jones, Marsha Bruce, Allison Sceroler, Angelle Cooley, Jennifer Poe, Jill Sylvest, Lisa West, Laurene Hutchinson, Sheila Gordon, Gina Contini and Monte Brown.

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

Wendy Williams Lutgring ’84 and daughter Ally strut the runway in the 2017 Mother-Daughter Style Show.

Tribute Donations | 34 SJA CONNECTIONS

TRIBUTE DONATIONS The following tribute donations were made between January 1 and March 15, 2017. Please remember those being honored, as well as those who honored them, in your prayers.

If you wish to make a special gift in honor or memory of a family member or friend, you may donate online at www.sjabr.org.

In Honor of Mrs. Yvette Aillet ’09 Ms. Ally Abadie In Honor of Mrs. Mary Kay Alford Ms. Hope Black In Honor of Mrs. Tisha Villar Andrepont ’04 Ms. Katherine P. Jeter

Click the “Giving" tab at the top of the homepage, then “Other Ways to Give.”

If you have questions, please call the Mission Advancement Office at (225) 388-2219.

In Memory of Mrs. Colette Larson Berryhill ’56 Ms. Shannon Palombo In Honor of Ms. Catherine Bondy ’11 Mr. Petar Tomic In Honor of Ms. Jolie Boudreaux ’18 Mr. Donald Boudreaux

In Honor of Mr. Robert Daigrepont Ms. Claire Daigrepont In Memory of Mrs. Carroll Guillory Davis ’65 Mr. and Mrs. Randy Ellis The Class of 1965 Lunch Group In Memory of Mr. Don DeVille Ms. Olivia DeVille

In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Andricain Mr. and Mrs. George Troxell Sr.

In Honor of Ms. Madeleine Bourgeois ’17 Mrs. Susan Daigle

In Memory of Mrs. Mary Ann Prejean Antrobus ’56 Mr. and Mrs. Holt Harrison

In Honor of Ms. Marigny Broussard ’18 Mrs. Joyce Broussard

In Memory of Mrs. Marie Hundemer Dick ’38 Ms. Blake Lea Aline Bueto

In Honor of Ms. Ryan Appleton Ms. Regan Appleton

In Honor of Ms. Rylie Brown ’19 Mr. and Mrs. Roger Boardman

In Honor of Ms. Autumn Dorsa ’20 Mrs. Tiffani Dorsa

In Honor of Ms. Margaret Armshaw ’17 Ms. Katie Armshaw

In Memory of Mr. Duane Brunet Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Brouillette

In Memory of Mrs. Anna Colligan Doucette ’52 Ms. Gretchen Fairbanks

In Memory of Mr. John Averette Ms. Robyn Cross In Honor of Ms. Phoenix Beauvais ’19 Mrs. Regina Staten In Honor of Mrs. Elizabeth Bellaire Mrs. Hannah Williams In Honor of Ms. Easton Berard Mrs. Morgan Berard In Honor of Mrs. Morgan Simoneaux Berard ’04 Ms. Katherine P. Jeter In Honor of Mrs. Zoraida Berrio Ms. Gabriela Castillo

In Honor of Mr. Brad Buras Ms. Elise Bordlee Ms. Jamie Schutte In Honor of Ms. Anna Carriere ’19 Ms. Madison Harris In Honor of Mrs. Su Chauvin Ms. Gabriella Chauvin In Honor of her Classmates ’04 Ms. Mackenzie Bowker In Honor of Mrs. Katie Comeaux Mr. and Mrs. Todd Thompson In Memory of Mr. Timothy Conley Ms. Janey Conley In Memory of Mr. Felton Crockett Mrs. Dyra Hughes

In Memory of Mrs. Michelle DeVille Ms. Olivia DeVille

In Honor of Ms. Karen Douet Ms. Hayley Hall Ms. Jenny Tran In Memory of Mrs. Carmen McGuire Esnard ’35 Mrs. Pamela Esnard In Memory of Mrs. Nell Fetzer ’47 Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Harvey In Honor of Mrs. Jennifer Menville Fontaine ’04 Ms. Sarah Bertrand Mr. and Mrs. John Broussard Ms. Kelly McDuff Mr. and Mrs. Ron Menville Mom’s Driving Academy Mrs. Cheryl Walsh

In Honor of Ms. Lauren Foshee ’16 Ms. Sarah Town

In Honor of Mrs. Jeanne Guidry Ms. Meredith Guidry

In Honor of Ms. Emily Heitman ’12 Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Heitman Sr.

In Honor of Mrs. Annie Francioni Ms. Sarah Francioni

In Memory of Mrs. Deborah Plaisance Gwin ’68 Mr. and Mrs. D. Blayne Honeycutt

In Honor of Ms. Erin Heitman ’09 Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Heitman Sr.

In Honor of Ms. Victoria Funes ’20 Mr. and Mrs. John Paul Funes In Honor of Mrs. Niki Banta Gautreaux Mr. and Mrs. George Troxell Sr.

In Memory of Mrs. Kit Stuart Hall ’77 Dr. and Mrs. Michael O. Stuart In Honor of Ms. Jenay Hansen ’20 Ms. Lauren Troxclair

In Memory of Mrs. Mary Delle Bogan Gerald ’47 Mrs. Jacquee Carvin Ms. Fallon Gerald

In Memory of Sr. Ursula Harelson CSJ ’45 Mrs. Peggy Brewer Mrs. Kaye Brignac Mrs. Zoe Broussard Ms. Celia Cangelosi Mrs. Barbara Chenevert Mrs. Helen J. DeFriece Mrs. Claire Harkless Mr. and Mrs. Holt Harrison Mr. and Mrs. Mike Kleinpeter Mr. and Mrs. William Kleinpeter Mr. and Mrs. Aashish Manglik Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Morris Mr. and Mrs. Donald Roubique Dr. and Mrs. Randy W. Thayer Dr. and Mrs. William D. Wall IV

In Memory of Mr. Joseph Gerdes Mr. and Mrs. Truett Fortenberry

In Honor of Mrs. Lillian Harris ’15 Ms. Raegan Griffin

In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gill Ms. Rachel Gill

In Honor of Ms. Madison Harris ’19 Ms. Allison Harris

In Honor of Ms. Amelia-Ann Gillio ’17 Ms. Martha Town

In Memory of Mr. Gerald Hartman Mr. and Mrs. Randy Adams

In Honor of Ms. Claire Gonsoulin ’17 Ms. Alyssa Bellelo

In Memory of Mr. Karl Harvey Mr. and Mrs. Holt Harrison Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Moret

In Honor of Ms. Amanda Gelpi ’07 Ms. Abigail Green In Honor of Mrs. Debbie Kleinpeter Gelpi ’77 Ms. Abigail Green In Honor of Ms. Emilie Gelpi ’09 Ms. Abigail Green In Honor of Mrs. Margaret Gerald Mr. and Mrs. Max Richards

In Memory of Mr. Jack Gray Mrs. Stephanie Hodges In Honor of Ms. Abigail Green ’17 Ms. Claire Andries In Memory of Monsignor William L. Greene Mr. and Mrs. Holt Harrison In Honor of Ms. Raegan Griffin ’17 Mrs. Sabria Griffin In Memory of Ms. Ann Guidry Mrs. Karen Darnall

In Honor of Ms. Madison Hasenkampf ’17 Ms. Amanda Doerr Ms. Avery Legendre In Honor of Mrs. Kali Sanches Hay ’04 Ms. Katherine Jeter In Honor of Ms. Anna Heine ’17 Mrs. Ann Heine In Honor of Ms. Annie Heitman ’18 Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Heitman Sr.

In Honor of Ms. Stefania Himpler ’04 Ms. Katherine Jeter In Honor of Ms. Lauren Hingle ’17 Mr. and Mrs. Stewart P. Hingle In Honor of Mrs. Sandra Edmonson Hudson ’77 Ms. Catherine Hudson In Memory of Mrs. Sylvia Hernandez Jeansonne ’46 Mrs. Claire Collier Mrs. Jackie McHardy In Honor of Ms. Katherine Jeter ’04 Mrs. Loretta Jeter In Honor of Ms. Gabrielle Jolivette ’17 Mr. and Mrs. John E. Jolivette In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Francis C. Jumonville Sandy and Greg Brown In Memory of Ms. Katie Keogh ’15 Mr. and Mrs. Randy Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Pat Flanagan Ms. Grace Ragland Ms. Caroline Trammell In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Leeland Kilpatrick Ms. Sydney Kilpatrick In Honor of Mrs. Penny Kimbrell Ms. Katherine Kimbrell In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Kotval Ms. Isabella Kotval In Honor of Ms. Nicole Kotval ’14 Ms. Isabella Kotval In Memory of Mr. Thomas Kovacevich Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Dave Buchner Goudeau Wealth Planning Group Ms. Joni Leggio Mr. and Mrs. John Tolley Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Topping

Tribute Donations | 36 SJA CONNECTIONS In Memory of Mrs. Tena Kron Mrs. Linda Marchand 1 anonymous donor

In Honor of Ms. Sophia Marchiafava ’18 Mrs. Debbie Marchiafava

In Honor of Mrs. Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Ms. Gloria Alvarado Ms. Megan St. Germain

In Honor of Ms. Ellyn Marks ’10 Kelly Nicole Marks

In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. John LaCour Ms. Victoria LaCour In Honor of Mrs. Diana LaFargue Ms. Maddie Marchand In Honor of Ms. Sophie Landry ’17 Ms. Olivia Sanders In Honor of Sister Joan Laplace, CSJ Ms. Suzanne Barone Dr. and Mrs. Bill Pryor In Memory of Mr. Thomas LaPorte Ms. Rachel LaPorte Mrs. Lynn Samuels In Honor of Miss Elizabeth Lato and Miss Cecilla Lato Mrs. Cherie Andries Lato In Memory of Mrs. Annalois Latour Mrs. Anev Singleton In Honor of Ms. Ondrea Lavallias Ms. Fallon Gerald In Memory of Ms. Ann Laws Ms. Samantha David In Honor of Mrs. Britney Malbrough LeBlanc ’95 Ms. Katherine Jeter

In Honor of Emily Marks ’14 Ms. Kelly Marks In Honor of Mrs. Amy Dunaway Marshall ’04 Ms. Katherine P. Jeter In Honor of Ms. Kylie Martin ’19 Mrs. Deborah Riddle In Honor of Ms. Catherine Martinez ’20 Mrs. Ann Garrett In Memory of Mr. Dale Mayeaux Mr. and Mrs. Chet Tucker In Memory of Marjorie Claire McAnelly ’95 Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Balhoff Mrs. Megan Cardaro

In Honor of Ms. Sarah Miller ’16 Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Miller In Memory of Ms. Kelly Murnane Dr. and Mrs. William H. Baird In Memory of Ms. Courtney Myshrall ’95 Mrs. Tara Johnson In Honor of Ms. Eloise Nelson ’20 Mrs. Rebecca Nelson In Memory of Ms. Penny Nichols ’64 Ms. Lurline Hamilton In Honor of Mrs. Erin Norenberg ’98 Mrs. Pamela Esnard In Honor of Ms. Aniko Nowakowski ’16 Ms. Gabrielle Jolivette In Honor of Ms. Caitlin O'Connor ’17 Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Connor

In Honor of Dr. Angela Sampson and Dr. Ray McClure Ms. Cecile McClure

In Honor of Ms. Sarah Odom ’17 Ms. Dianna Odom

In Honor of Ms. Katherine McCullen ’19 Ms. Karen McCullen In Honor of Mr. Cord McKeithen Ms. Anna Schutte In Honor of Meredith Mermigas ’15 Ms. Allison Mermigas In Honor of Mrs. Linda Messina Ms. Madison Hasenkampf

In Honor of Mr. Terry LeBlanc Ms. Anne Elise LeBlanc

In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Meyerer Ms. Lisa Meyerer

In Honor of Ms. Julie Louque ’17 Mr. and Mrs. Kent Louque

In Honor of Ms. Lauren Miller ’18 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller

In Honor of Mrs. Renee McCarthy Ms. Avery Davis

In Honor of Mrs. Linda H. LeBlanc Ms. Lynn Brown

In Honor of Mrs. Elisabeth Whitehead LeCorgne ’08 Mr. Jack Whitehead Jr.

In Honor of Ms. Kathryn Miller ’20 Mr. and Mrs. Mike Miller

In Honor of Ms. Kathryn Michaud ’04 Ms. Katherine P. Jeter Mr. and Mrs. Norman V. Ryan

In Memory of Mrs. Lauren Savoy Olinde ’02 Mrs. Barbara Bagwell Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Balhoff In Honor of Mrs. Stephanie Fife Parenton ’04 Ms. Katherine P. Jeter In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Pecue Mr. and Mrs. Will Pecue II In Honor of Ms. Jessie Petite ’19 Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Petite In Honor of Mary Pourciau ’18 Mr. and Mrs. Jacques T. Pourciau In Honor of Mrs. Lauren Salvant Pritchett ’04 Ms. Katherine P. Jeter

In Memory of Mr. Melvin Rambin Mrs. Sharon Dugas

In Honor of Ms. Mary Jane Supan Ms. Jamie Lato

In Honor of Kylie Briel RangeleyAllement ’20 Mr. and Mrs. Paul Allement

In Honor of Ms. Haley Sylvester ’16 Mr. and Mrs. James P. Sylvester

Spring 2017 | 37 SJA CONNECTIONS

In Memory of Ms. Bridget Ross ’67 Mrs. Beth Cannon

In Honor of Mr. Jamal Tajdaran Ms. Tamra Manfredo Ms. Ashley Roy

In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Rovira Ms. Marissa Rovira

In Honor of Mr. and Ms. Kevin Talbot Ms. Avery Talbot

In Honor of Ms. Ashley Roy ’16 Mr. Sanford Roy

In Honor of Mrs. Angelle Terrell Ms. Anne Marie Herring

In Honor of Ms. Mary Claire Saia ’20 Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Saia

In Honor of Ms. Michaela Torrance ’20 Mr. and Mrs. James J. Torrance

In Memory of Mrs. Martha Saucier Ms. Christine Schutte In Memory of Mrs. Stephanie Schexnayder Ms. Kate Wall In Memory of Mr. Roland Selig Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Iobst Ms. Virginia Lucas Mrs. Jackie McHardy Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Selig Jr. In Honor of Mr. Bill Sevario Mr. and Mrs. Michael Toler In Honor of Ms. Molly Shepherd ’18 Mr. and Mrs. Dan Braun In Memory of Mrs. Tammy Shore Mr. Alan Shore In Honor of Ms. Taylor Silvey ’19 Mrs. Amanda Silvey

In Memory of Miss Sarah Claire Touchstone Mr. and Mrs. Trey Touchstone In Honor of Ms. Anna Viso ’14 Ms. Madelyn Wilks In Honor of Mrs. Marie Vukovics Ms. Riley Stewart In Honor of Ms. Leslyanne Warrington ’17 Mr. and Mrs. Mark Warrington In Honor of Cameron Malone White ’17 Mr. and Mrs. Brian White In Honor of Jordan Diane White ’12 Mr. and Mrs. Brian White

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY/ CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2002

15-YEAR REUNION Let’s get together and have some fun!

Lunch, music and activities for the kids.

Saturday, April 29 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

After the Hat Run 5K

Hat Run Festival Area: Pennington Biomedical Research Center $5 for those not registered for the Hat Run

In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Ms. Cheryl Ann Smith In Honor of Ms. Megan St. Germain ’11 Ms. Madelyn Bridges Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bryant Mrs. Kema Bueche Ms. Katherine P. Jeter In Memory of Mrs. Ruth Stabiler Mr. and Mrs. Philip Ragusa

Contact Jaci Craven Engemann at jacie1021@yahoo.com

Transitions | 38 SJA CONNECTIONS

MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, PASSINGS MARRIAGES ’70 Danielle Donahue Bayham to Richard G. de Tarnowsky 2/24/2017 ’02 Jennifer Ann Rome to Christopher Wesley Maggio 7/30/2016 ’04 Rachel Marie Merey to Gary Thomas Simms Jr. 2/10/2017 ’05 Courtney Elizabeth Myers to Brian Joseph Minor 6/17/2016 ’06 Ellen Sinclair Abadie to Alexander Derek Farr 1/7/2017 ’10 Kathryn Ann Jakuback to James Daniel Burke 1/6/2017

BIRTHS ’00 Ashley Woods Marbury: daughter, Annabelle Carmelite, born 7/9/2016 ’02 Jacqueline Barker Savoia: son, Matthew James, born 2/17/2017 ’03 Danielle Gagnet Stuart: son, Robert Morgan IV, born 12/7/2016 ’04 Minette Judice Guidry: daughter, Vivienne Noelle, born 1/2/2017 ’04 Rebecca Nobles Larriviere: son, Andrew James, born 1/12/2017 ’04 Lauren Salvant Pritchett: son, Wright Paul, born 1/13/2017 ’06 Stephanie Heine Potter: twins, Owen Leon and Kennedy Ruth, born 1/8/2017 ’06 Natalie Messina Marocco: son, Noah Thomas, born 01/10/2017

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 the family whenever possible. Notices which appear in this issue were received by March 17, 2017.

Robert C. (Bob) Adams Husband of Lorraine Langridge Adams ’59 Pat William Almond Grandfather of Olivia Brown ’16 and Vivian Brown ’18 William “Bill” Anderson Jr. Grandfather of Emily Anderson ’02 and Paige Anderson ’11 William “Billy” “Iggy” Ashby III Husband of Davie Kennedy Ashby ’72 Noelie D. Barnett Mother of Kathy Barnett ’76 Grandmother of Jennifer Gatz Fowler ’97 Cecelia Plauche Baudin Mother of Karen Baudin Allen ’84 Grandmother of Melissa Anne Allen ’13 John William Beck Sr. Father of Mary Alice Beck Rupley-Rathe ’72 and Martha Beck Upton ’79 Grandfather of Rachael Upton ’01, Emily Upton Fitts ’03 and Camille Beck ’14 Ferdinand Bello Jr. (Boy of SJA) Father of Rebecca “Becky” Bello DeJohn ’67 Grandfather of Dara DeJohn Scott ’00 Brother of Mary Ann Bello Molony ’51 (dec.) and Theresa Bello Amos ’54 (dec.)

Donna Jo Hudson Bologna ’54 Mary “Beth” Glaser Bourque Mother of Catherine “Theresa” Bourque Bowman ’01 Grandmother of Madisyn Glaser ’20 Ava Grace Branstetter Daughter of Emily Gregory Branstetter ’00 Lucille “Baba” Buchart Grandmother of Mary Katherine Buchart Buzhardt ’03 and Alexandra Buchart ’15

Donald John Bugea Jr. Father of Jillian Bugea Freiberg ’05 Uncle of Catherine Tricou Shelfer ’02, Jessica Smith’02 and Emily Smith ’04 Former spouse of Dana Murray (SJA faculty) Carmela Greco Calandro Mother of Judith Calandro Bernhard ’75 Howard Leon Denham Grandfather of Katie Denham ’15 Anna Mae Colligan Doucette ’52 Sister of Janelle Colligan Hanna ’57 Denice Mary Mayer Cyrex Ducote Mother of Amy Cyrex Sins ’94 Lawrence Christian Dumestre Father of Grace Dumestre Holifield ’07 and Olivia Dumestre ’12 Emily Cancienne Fertitta Mother of Frances Barbera (SJA faculty) William Thurn “WT” Firesheets Grandfather of Kelly Firesheets ’97 James Randolph “Jack” Gray Son of Jennifer “Jenny” Gauthier Gray ’84 Tammie Roussel Guillory Daughter of Nina Carazo Snapp ’58 Sister of Morgan Snapp ’14 Holt Benton Harrison Father of Susan Claire Harrison ’04 Grandfather of Kyleigh Malynn Harrison ’11 Patricia Bourgeois Hebert ’47 Sister of Pamela Esnard ’64 Rebecca “Reba” Hegmann ’06 Sister of Sarah Hegmann ’02 Katie Elizabeth Keogh ’15 Thomas Robert Kovacevich Father of Kathryn Kovacevich ’79

Spring 2017 | 39 SJA CONNECTIONS

PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH!

Tammy Andree Messenger Daughter of Tara Nolan Messenger ’70 Sister of Christy Messenger Richardson ’06 Granddaughter of Georgia Faye Marcello ’46 Rose Culotta Oakley ’42 Grandmother of Amy Bruce Crochet ’91 and Ann Bruce Bercegeay ’97 and Bailey Boudinot ’14 Aunt of Dyra Culotta Hughes ’66 Great-aunt of Anglyn Hughes Brown ’89 Marian “Pie” Richard Pendley Grandmother of Pamela Pendley Baudin ’86 and Stephanie Elmer Robin ’97 Georgiana Vallery Perez Grandmother of Elly Brignaze ’11 and Kacy Brignaze ’13 Leo Scallan Sr. Father of Laurie Scallan Morrison ’75 Grandfather of Melissa Morrison Gaffney ’06 Roland Neff Selig Sr. Husband of Eloise Arbour Selig ’42 Father of Jane Selig Andre ’72 Marion Crawford Spann ’43

Send to: SJA Connections, 3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 or email your news to connections@sjabr.org. Send us your news. We would love your photo, too! We would also like to keep your record up to date. Please let us know if you have a change in address, phone number, email address or occupation.

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Alexander Joseph Spano Brother of Lydia Spano ’08 and Sophia Spano ’13 Patrick Donald Staub Grandfather of Katie Armshaw ’11 and Maggie Armshaw ’17 Marie Vicknair Sutton Mother of Sandra Sutton Dykes ’80 and Michelle Sutton Plauché ’90 Grandmother of Amy Bloodworth Sellers ’97, Catherine Gauthier ’15, Madelyn Plauché ’20 and Caitlyn Sutton ’20 Janice Trosclair Sweeney Mother of Suzanne Sweeney Keagle ’81 Augusta Harper Waggenspack Mother of Claire Hayes ’71 and Anne Sporn ’77

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1991 • 1996 • 2002 • 2016