District honors volunteers, support staff and state fitness champions at May 8 meeting

At the May 8 committee meeting the St. Tammany Parish School Board highlighted volunteer appreciation, support staff awards and the district—itness team chievement. The superintendent opened the program by thanking residents and volunteers and the meeting included video tributes and individual recognition.

The board recognized volunteers, secretaries, TRTs, food-service workers and administrators in a series of videos and presentations. District-level support employees of the year were announced: Bethany Renee Simmons (paraprofessional, Magnolia Trace Elementary), Paul McClain (head custodian, Folsom Junior High), Jennifer Norman (secretary, Fontainebleau High School), Mary Ann Ladner (braille transcriber, Harrison Curriculum Center), Ashlyn Messer (district substitute of the year, North Shore High), and Alita Spears (outstanding health provider, Marigny Elementary).

The board also celebrated students who competed in the district fitness meet and then at state. St. Tammany Parish earned the state championship for the 2024-25 school year with 2,442 points, edging Livingston and Lafayette parishes. Individual placings highlighted included Benjamin Bearden (top state placings in pull ups and curl ups), Joey Lacour, Reese Morris (third overall in state) and Lillian Young (state champion in multiple events). The district said the top two boys and top two girls represent the parish at the state meet and then compete representing St. Tammany Parish rather than individual schools.

Board members and the superintendent thanked staff, families and the Channel 13 production team for videos used in recognition.