Skip to main content

The Talon - 2026

Page 1


THE TALON

WINTER 2026 EDITION

ONE COMMUNITY, ONE PRAYER: LIFTING UP OUR HEROES

Surrounded by our students, staff, and families, the St. John School community came together Wednesday, October 15th in faith, honored to be joined by local law enforcement officers as we our prayers for Deputy Charles Riley and the continued recovery of Captain Brett Stassi Jr..

The Living Rosary served as a powerful reminder of the strength found in unity and the comfo h d d i diffi lt ti W t f l f th presence and partnership of the Ib gether as one community.

CELEBRATING FEAST OF BLESSING OF THE PETS

Families and students gathered on Friday to celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of the annual Blessing of the Pets

From dogs and cats to horses, parrots, an beloved animals were welcomed as prayer offered for their health and for all of Go

The cherished tradition brought the Eag community together in a meaningful cele faith, stewardship, and love for all living

REMEMBERING

Over the summer, our Eagle Family experienced a profound loss with the passing of Father Greg Daigle.

In his memory, our Eagles gathered at St Clement Chapel for a prayer vigil honoring the f i h j d l h f l h d i h

“To our St. John School family you from the bottom of our hear continued support and prayers m to us than words can express.We a grateful to have been part of the Rosary It was a beautiful remind faith, unity, and the power of pra the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Offic

4-H IN ACTION: LEADERSHIP AT WORK

The 4-H Club continues to provide meaningful opportunities for students to grow as leaders while learning through hands-on experiences

Seven students recently represented St. John at the Southwest Region 4 H Challenge Camp.Two students, ElizabethAlleman (10th) andAndrew Hanks (11th), attended as counselors, helping guide and mentor younger participants. Students attending camp included Karsynn Bujol (7th), Kynslee Bujol (7th), Madelynn Purpera (7th), J.D.

year, St John’s youngest Eagles also take part in 4-H dventures, where first through fourth graders explore ulture through interactive activities ranging from ery to making homemade ice cream. Several high school members volunteered at the event, helping create a fun ngaging experience for younger students.

ing the St. John 4-H Club this year are President rew Hanks,Vice President Sarah Lin, and Secretary Marie Cheramie, who continue to promote leadership, service, and learning within the Eagle community

HALLOWEEN FUN FOR ALL EAGLES

Halloween week was filled with fun, laughter, and cheri traditions at St. John School as Eagles of all ages celebr together.

The campus came alive on Halloween with the annual P Party, where families enjoyed sweet treats, train rides, th classic cake walk, and confetti eggs.The beloved fall tradition once again brought students, parents, and sta together for an evening full of smiles and school spirit, possible by the dedication of the St John Home and Sch Association, faculty, and volunteers

Earlier in the day, Halloween excitement kicked off with a spook-tacular First GradeTrunk orTreat. Senior and firstgrade buddies gathered at the KC Hall parking lot, where creative decorations, laughter, and candy-filled bags made the morning unforgettable This special tradition continues to highlight the joy of Halloween and the strong sense of community shared among our Eagles.

Together these celebrations made Halloween a memorable a

Father Lawrence serves as the acting priest and administrator at St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine.

Father Lawrence is an extern priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls and previously served as administrator of St. Mark the Evangelist Church. He brings with him a strong pastoral presence and a deep commitment to faith and service

ce joining our community, Father Lawrence celebrated several school Masses and joined Eagles for cherished traditions, including l Bl i f th P t W t f l

MEET THE NEW FACES OF OUR EAGLE FAMILY

This school year, we proudly welcomed 15 new staff members to our Eagle Family

These talented educators and team members bring fresh energy, experience, and a shared commitment to serving our students.

As part of this introduction, we invite our school community to put a face to the name of the teachers and staff who support our Eagles each day.

We are excited to have them on campus and look forward to the positive impact they will make throughout the year.

EAGLES LIFT THEIR VOICES TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON

The Christmas season came alive through the joyful voices and musical talents of our Eagles during this year ’ s Christmas concerts

From the sweetest performances by our PreK and Kindergarten students to the impressive showcase by our 1st 5th grade performers Middle School

The evening performances featured stunning solos nd instrumental performances on piano, drums, ello, and clarinet, highlighting the depth of alent within our school community. One specially memorable moment came as members f the senior class arrived dressed to impress, heering on the Senior Choir and showing their Eagle pride

We extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers and staff, and special appreciation to Ms. Redditt, whose passion and commitment were evident in every note Together, these concerts created unforgettable moments and captured the true spirit of Christmas at St. John.

A CHRISTMAS SEASO

Service was on full display this season as members of the St. John School Beta Club and National Honor Society dedicated their time to giving back and spreading Christmas cheer throughout the community

Students assisted with decorating and preparing the Knights of Columbus Christmas Party, helpe Are the Difference at City Hall during a special v from the Grinch, served and cleaned up at theAR Christmas Party, and sorted and wrapped Giving gifts at the church hall

Through their hard work and generosity, these E demonstrated what it means to lead with servant hearts and truly make a difference

A MAGICAL SEND-OFF TO CHRISTMAS BREAK

Holiday cheer filled the campus on the last day of school as Santa, Mrs Claus, the Grinch, and Mickey & friends greeted our littlest Eagles during morning carpool. Smiles, waves, and festive fun made the surprise a moment to remember for students and parents alike.

A heartfelt thank you to the St John Home & SchoolAssociation for creating such a magical send-off to the holidays.We wish our entire Eagle family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy and special memories.

Madeline Acosta laurie barbier
hayden gilkinson sara grey samantha hergruder
stephen laurent christy meyer casie mire
jennifer ourso becky purdom martique reddit
margo rivet logan rodriguez grayson schnebelen
NICOLE BRUMFIELD

HONORING THE 2025 STUDENTS OF THE YEAR

We proudly recognize Madison David (5th Grade), Molly Coker (8th Grade), and Caroline Schlatre (12th Grade) as the 2025 Students of the Year.

This honor is awarded annually to students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, service, and true Eagle spirit through their character, involvement, and thoughtful essay submissions.

Madison, Molly, and Caroline will be recognized during the Diocesan Mass for Catholic Schools Week and will represent St John in the Diocesan Student of the Year Competition this spring.

A NIGHT FOR EAGLE ROYALTY

We proudly crowned the 2025 Homecoming King and Queen, celebrating a special Homecoming tradition filled with Eagle pride.

EAGLES CELEBRATE ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS

Eagles honoredAll Saints’Day andAll Souls’ Day through meaningful activities that brought faith and creativity to life across campus.

Students processed into Mass withAll Saints Day projects, while sixth and seventh graders shared their learning through creative saint displays, including posters and“Bottle Saints” museum walks for younger Eagles. Eighth graders honored loved ones with heartfelt remembrance boxes filled with memories and

keepsakes

Continuing a cherished tradition, sophomore students completed a service project at St. John Cemetery, cleaning and caring for graves as an act of service and respect

Together, these experiences beautifully reflected faith, remembrance, and the spirit of the community.

Jordan Dorsey was named Homecoming King, and Charli Neumann was crowned Homecoming Queen as they were honored on the field in front of students, families, and fans.

VETERANS DAY: A TRADITION OF HONOR

We proudly came together to host our annual Veterans Day Program, a cherished tradition honoring the brave men and women who have served our country.

This year ’ s guest speaker, Carlford Griffin, a proud veteran and grandfather of second graderTori Griffin, shared powerful reflections on service, sacrifice, and the importance of family.The program featured patriotic performances by second grade students and the Senior Choir, filling the gym with music and gratitude

The program also recognized winners of theVeterans Day Poetry, Essay, and Poster Contests, whose work helped remind all in attendance why this day holds such deep meaning

AGLES RECEIVE A HOLIDAY SURPRISE

day magic filled the campus as fourth-grade students ved a heartwarming Christmas surprise from the ville Parish Sheriff’s Office

student was gifted a personalized blanket featuring name, turning the visit into a meaningful and rgettable moment Adding to the excitement,WBRZ d the celebration, sharing the joy live on television

school extends sincere thanks to the Iberville Parish iff’s Office for their generosity and kindness. Moments hese beautifully reflect the spirit of the season and the g sense of community that defines St John

OUR ELEMENTARY EAGLES: LEARNING & GROWING

LITTLE EAGLES, BIG SAFETY LESSONS

What a blazing good time it was on campus this Monday as St. John School welcomed a special visit from our friends at the Plaquemine Fire Department!

In celebration of Fire PreventionWeek, PreK3 through 3rd grade students learned important fire safety tips, including how to identify emergency escape routes and what to do in the event of a fire. Firefighters led an engaging and age-appropriate presentation that kept our little Eagles excited while reinforcing life-saving lessons

Student safety is always a top priority, and we are grateful to the Plaquemine Fire Department for taking the time to educate our Eagles and make this visit such a meaningful and memorable experience.

STEM IN ACTION

STEM learning continues to come alive as Eagles explore science and engineering through hands-on, engaging projects.

Our K–2 students brought a festive twist to STEM class by designing and creating handmade Christmas ornaments, blending imagination, simple engineering, and holiday cheer.

In fourth grade, students wrapped up their force and motion unit with an excitingArcade Day, where they became game designers building creative, functional games using ramps, rollers, levers, and launchers.The classroom was filled with energy as science concepts jumped off the page and into action.

Through activities like these, STEM classes encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving helping our Eagles learn by doing and think like young engineers.

LEARNING LOCAL GOVERNMENT, FIRSTHAND

Second-grade students welcomed a special guest to campus JB Barker, Mayor of Plaquemine.

The visit complemented students’ classroom essons on local government as they learned more about the role of a mayor and other community eaders.

Mayor Barker spoke with students about eadership, citizenship, and how local decisions help shape the community.

He also surprised the Junior Eagles with sweet treats, making the visit both educational and fun

BUILDING BONDS THROUGH A BELOVED TRADITION

The Senior and 1st Grade Buddy Program continues to create meaningful connections as Eagles come together throughout the year During a Christmas gathering, buddies shared smiles and creativity while painting festive wreaths and making sweet holiday memories side by side.

The fall season also brought special moments as seniors and first graders reunited for Thanksgiving-themed activities, including creating a friendship fruit salad to celebrate gratitude. Earlier in the year, buddies also enjoyed time together during the school’s Trunk or Treat, adding a fun and festive start to the tradition.

These shared experiences reflect the heart of the Eagle community leadership, kindness, and the joy of connecting across grade levels As the year continues, we look forward to carrying on this cherished tradition with the beloved St. Patrick’s Day Parade this spring, another special moment our Eagles eagerly anticipate

SOARING THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL

LEADING WITH PRIDE: MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS NEON NIGHTS AND EAGLE PRIDE

The Middle School Student Council is proud to introduce its officers, who will help lead their peers and promote school spirit throughout the year

Serving as President is Brooklynn Cagnolatti, joined by Annalynn Allain as Vice President, Hailey Bayham as Secretary, and Caroline Doyle as Treasurer. Together, these student leaders will play an important role in planning events, representing the middle school student body, and upholding the values of leadership, service, and Eagle pride.

Congratulations to our Student Council officers!

Middle school Eagles kicked off the school year in glowing style on Friday as the Middle School Student Council hosted an 80’s Neon Glow Party in the St. John Gym.

Dressed in bright colors and retro looks, students enjoyed an energetic evening filled with music, dancing, games, snacks, and plenty of school spirit.

A big thank you goes out to the student council members, staff, and chaperones who made this fun kickoff event a huge success and set the tone for an exciting year ahead.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN ACTION

Our Eagles made a big impact this holiday season through the Thanksgiving Food Drive an effort that goes far beyond collecting cans.

Students filled boxes and hallways across campus with non-perishable food items, collecting more than 3,000 pounds of food to be donated to local food banks and families in need this Thanksgiving. The inspiring effort caught the attention of WBRZ, who visited campus to highlight the students’ commitment to giving back

As part of the drive, donations also supported GUMBO – Global United Mission Benefitting Ourselves and Others, a local food pantry led by Mrs Debra of Mrs D’s Soul Food in Plaquemine Faculty shared that the experience helped students understand the importance of generosity, compassion, and true community service.

ENGINEERING WITH IM

Future Eagle engineers were hard at work as students in the 8th-grade STEM class took on an innovative design challenge. Using cardboard as their primary material, students designed and built architecturally inspired furniture while following each step of the engineering design process

From researching architectural styles to sketching prototypes and constructing full-scale designs, Eagles demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, and problemsolving skills at every stage.

Annalynn Allain
Hailey Bayham
Caroline Doyle

TAKING FLIGHT: HIGH SCHOOL YEARS

PWe continue to invest in Eagle Futures by giving our high school students real-world exposure to college and career pathways This week, our Eagles explored opportunities in healthcare through Central LouisianaAHEC (CLAHEC), connected with colleges at the NACAC Fair, and learned about industry careers through Dow and River Parishes Community College (RPCC)

From college fairs to career presentations, these experiences help our Eagles plan with confidence as they prepare for the next chapter of their journey.

S IN FAITH AT RETREAT

The Class of 2026 experienced a memorable weekend during their senior retreat at Feliciana Retreat Center in St. Francisville, continuing a cherished tradition within the school’s Religion curriculum.

Over three days, senior Eagles were given the opportunity to pause, reflect, and grow in their faith while strengthening friendships that will carry them through their final year at St. John.The retreat blended fun and fellowship through activities like kayaking and hammocking with powerful prayer services and a meaningful Mass celebrated alongside classmates and faculty chaperones.

LTHE CREATIVE FORCE BEHIND EAGLE MEDIA

The Creators Club continues to play a vital role in telling the story of our Eagle community through creativity, design, and storytelling

Throughout the year, members sharpen their graphic design skills through seasonal projects such as holiday logo contests, while also developing strong photography skills by capturing moments across campus

So far during the 2025–2026 school year, Creators Club students have taken 1,019 athletic photos that have been shared and celebrated across our school’s platforms highlighting games, victories, and Eagle pride in action

Beyond the sidelines, Creators Club students serve as the creative backbone of The Talon, the very newsletter you are reading. From layout and design to photography and content support, their behind-the-scenes work helps bring our stories to life

BOOK

CLUB BUZZ

The Book Club wrapped up the first half of the year with thoughtful discussions and student-led leadership.

During the first nine weeks, members read One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, rating the suspense-filled novel 3.63 out of 5 stars.

For the second nine weeks, students explored Paper Towns by John Green, earning a group rating of 2 67 out of 5 stars and sparking conversation about themes, characters, and storytelling style.

Leading the Book Club this year are President Caroline Schlatre, Vice President Calise Landry, and Secretary Elizabeth Alleman, who help guide discussions and keep the club engaged.

PLAY HARD. FLY HIGH. EAGLE ATHLETICS.

WHERE EAGLE PRIDE SHINES

TheheartofSt.JohnspiritshinesthroughourEaglePrideorganizations theCheerleaders,Eaglettes, andDrumCorps whobringenergy,tradition,andunitytoeverygame,peprally,andcampus celebration.

Aswereflectonthe2025season,weaskedeachfacilitatorandcoachtosharetheirthoughtsontheyear highlightinggrowth,dedication,andthepridethesestudentsbringtotheEaglecommunity.From thesidelinestothestands,thesegroupssetthetone,inspireschoolspirit,andrepresentwhatitmeansto leadwithpassionandpride.

“The future is bright We have a group of trying young dancers this year We lost nobody We have a group of dancers interested in coming from 8th to 9th We can grow on number and we all have a lot of training to do but I do believe we have a bright future.”

- Pam Mechana

“I feel like the drum corps had a great season this year We had 8 drummers who played in sync Everyone was excited to play It was also nice having backup drummers when someone was out ”

- Melissa Hanks

“We set high expectations that they just soared to! Now, we are ready to bring the same energy into basketball season! We can't wait to cheer on the Eagles as they take it to the hoop!”

- Margo Rivet & Jackie Brouillette

SETTING THE EAGLE STANDARD

The 2025 football and cross country seasons were defined by discipline, determination, and pride. Our Eagles showed what it means to represent St John through hard work, teamwork, and commitment on the field and on the course

As we reflect on the season, our coaches share their perspectives on the growth, grit, and character that shaped these teams

“The 2025 football team had a great year and lots of accomplishments A few important accomplishments are the first winning season for St John football in 10 years and the opportunity to host a playoff game just to name a few The future is bright, and we appreciate what the 2025 team accomplished and wish our seniors the best of luck moving forward."

- Coach Troxclair

“It was a very successful season filled with lots of running and lots of laughs.”

- Coach Kornaker

EAGLE FANS IN THE STANDS

At each home football game, a Fan of the Game was selected from the student section to recognize outstanding school spirit. Sponsored by Texas Brine Company, the honor celebrated the loudest and proudest displays of Eagle Pride, with selections made by the St John Cheerleaders

The season concluded with the introduction of Fan of the Season, recognizing year-long dedication across all sports. Congratulations to Gary “Gee” Hydel for exemplifying the true spirit of the Eagle community

PATRICK DOYLE ATHLETIC AWARD

Congratulations to Daniel Braud and Carson Doyle, the 2025 recipients of the Patrick Doyle Athletic Award. This year ’ s honor recognizes two student-athletes who exemplify Eagle Pride, dedication, and character.

PLAY HARD. FLY HIGH. EAGLE ATHLETICS.

SENIORS SHARE WHAT’S NEXT

As the season turns forward, our seniors reflect on what lies ahead for Eagle athletics. Their words capture excitement, and favorite quotes, for upcoming sports seasons, confidence built through hard work, and pride in the legacy they leave behind. From lessons learned to goals still ahead, these reflections highlight leadership, growth, and the Eagle Standard that will continue long after graduation.

GOLf

baseball

“I am very excited to start this season off fresh We did lose some seniors last year, but I believe this just gives the younger girls a chance to find their voice and step up! I hope you all are looking forward to this season because I sure am ” - Meredith Landry

“We had a very strong team last year, and we are all very excited about all of the potential mixed in with experience.”

- Charli Neumann

“This year we have a whole new program, with Coach Logan stepping up and taking over He is pushing us to our limits and driving us to our maximum potential I'm excited to see what this season holds and hope it's a season we will remember forever ” - Maddox Quebedeaux

“We have a full returning team and are looking forward to returning to state. We’ve been working hard, and all of the seniors are excited for one last season together ” - Cole Markins GIRLS BASKETBALL GIRLS POWERLIFTING

“Don’t chop at it, it’s not a sword ”

- Senior Boys

COACH’S CORNER: EYES ON TRACK & FIELD

Coach Jordan is looking ahead to Track & Field season with excitement and focus, emphasizing preparation, growth, and setting the standard from day one With a strong foundation in place, the Eagles are ready to compete, improve, and represent Eagle Pride every step of the way

“I’m very excited about the upcoming track and field season here at St John We have a talented group of Veterans returning along with some promising young athletes. I expect the Eagles to compete for a district championship in 2026!"

- Coach Jordan

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
The Talon - 2026 by St. John Creators Club - Issuu