School Board Hosts 13th Annual Breakfast

First Lady of Louisiana Donna Edwards and Louisiana School Boards Association Executive Director Janet Pope Hebert joined members of the St. Bernard Parish School Board at the recent 13th annual Day of Reflection Breakfast. [L-R]: Janet Pope Hebert, Diana Dysart, Donna Edwards, Clifford Englande, Darlene Asevedo, Joseph Long, William Egan, Katherine Lemoine, and Doris Voitier.

Over 500 people attended the recent St. Bernard Parish School Board’s 13th annual Day of Reflection Breakfast. CHS senior Jaida Alphonso served as the narrator for this year’s breakfast held at the Chalmette High School Lacoste campus. The event brought members of the community together to celebrate the parish’s most valuable resource – the children of St. Bernard Parish.

The morning centered on strength, the district’s theme for the year, as audience members learned about the school district’s strong academic, athletic, and artistic programs.

Superintended Doris Voitier welcomed guests and explained, “Providing our parish with an elite and high-quality public school system is the primary goal of the St. Bernard Parish Public School District. Strong public schools are the heartbeat of a thriving community,” she said. “As families continue to choose St. Bernard Parish as a place to raise their children, we as a district, are committed to providing a viable, first-class public school system where children can thrive academically, athletically, and artistically all within our state-of-the-art facilities.”

Former music teacher and current First Lady of the State of Louisiana Donna Edwards was the guest speaker. An advocate of educating the “whole child” through Teach MAM (Music, Art, and Movement), students and alumni paid tribute to her contributions to arts education through several musical numbers.

The Legacy Quartet, comprised of three generations of music teachers, Kenny Kerth, Jason Rusk, Kenan Jabr, and Kaleb Lambert dedicated, “When You’re Smiling” to the First Lady in honor of her lasting legacy of learning.

“Sometimes, as teachers, we are never sure if our message is getting through,” Kerth said, “Here in St. Bernard we are teaching and reaching them – which is music to my ears.  Mrs. Edwards, we dedicate this song to you and to all who have left a legacy of learning.”

Those who have attended previous breakfasts were in for a surprise as previous Masters of Ceremonies were spotlighted throughout the program, giving the audience a glimpse of their achievements since graduating from Chalmette High School.  Featured alumni included Ryan Gregoire, Melanie Benit, Mitchell Robinson, Shawn O’Neil, Gabrielle Glapion, Scarlett Saizan, and Emily Jones.

Alumni testimonials highlighted the strength of their K-12 experience in St. Bernard.

Gabrielle Glapion said, “The thing about Chalmette High School is that the teachers there don’t just teach you to pass the test or to graduate, they prepare you for everything that the future might hold.”

Under the direction of Annelise and Arianna Cassar, nearly 30 CHS Voices alumni also returned joining this year’s nearly 80 member choir. Musical selections included “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman and Rachel Platten’s high-energy, pop hit, “Fight Song.”

The morning concluded with Superintendent Voitier thanking community members and partners for their continuous support of traditional, public education.

“All that we do, all that we are able to accomplish with our students is in great part due to the support we receive from our community members and partners who continuously give of their time and resources.”

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