Over 400 community members and leaders joined the St. Bernard Parish Public School System to celebrate the district’s annual Day of Reflection Breakfast. Held at the Chalmette High 9th Grade Academy on Friday, August 29th, this year’s event marked a special milestone: 20 years to the day since Hurricane Katrina devastated St. Bernard Parish. With a focus on the District’s theme of “Strong Roots, Bright Futures”, the breakfast was a celebration of food, music, camaraderie, and growth of the school system and surrounding community in the two decades since the storm.
Chalmette High School seniors Celine Bioc and Christian Miller served as the narrators for the program, which included live performances by the CHS Talented Music Program, the CHS Voices, Alumni, and District Middle School Invitational Choir, all accompanied by a live orchestra. The morning’s lineup of speakers included remarks from Superintendent Doris Voitier, School Board Vice President Diana Dysart, School Board President Katherine Lemoine, and guest speaker US Senator Bill Cassidy. The program also showcased several videos, ranging from touching to comedic, and starred a number of elected officials, community leaders, and footage from previous celebrations over the years.
In her time at the podium, Superintendent Voitier reflected on loss, love, resilience, and the power of working in unison toward a common goal. “Our community lost so much – buildings, homes, businesses, and of course, our wonderful schools. But we never lost each other. It is because of our combined strength, hope, and collaboration that our schools and our parish have rebuilt and are now flourishing, stronger than ever.”
Voitier also used her time on stage to express her gratitude for the school system’s community leaders.
“Our continued work together is the legacy we leave for the next generation. When I look at where we are today – at the growth, the resilience, the hope that fills our schools and our community- it is clear what made it all possible. It was love. Everything we did, we did for love.”
The challenges and achievements of the district over the years were also highlighted in the school system’s Quality Report, a yearly publication that provides a comprehensive understanding of the scope and accomplishments of the St. Bernard Parish Public School System. This year’s Special Edition Quality Report featured the story of the school system’s devastation and subsequent recovery in the St. Bernard Unified School in 2005.
Guests in attendance also received two gifts from the students of Chalmette High School- a reusable insulated mug embossed with the district’s roots logo and a commemorative gold coin marking both the day of the storm and the day of the breakfast.
As a 12th grader, Celine Bioc explained, “Because of the knowledge, guidance, and care we’ve been given, we have been able to dream big and blossom into who we are meant to be. And whether that future is as a doctor, a welder, a nurse, or a teacher, we carry those lessons forward with gratitude.”
The event concluded on an emotionally powerful note with a performance of “Grow Your Garden” by the CHS Voices and a call to action by 12th grader Christian Miller. “Let’s Grow Something Extraordinary – together.”
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