By DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / May 4, 1999

Two River Parishes women have been recognized by the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs as part of the celebration of Older Worker Week across the state last month.

Lorenza Steib of Vacherie and Joann Borden of Luling received awards from the Governor’s Office as well as from their individual parishes.

This year marks the 12th anniversary the Older Worker of the Year Award ceremonies held across the state. The week is set aside nationally torecognize the many contributions senior citizens continue to make to our workplace.

Steib, 56, is a service worker and Title V supervisor for the St. JamesParish Council. She has held that position for 20 years and is responsiblefor assisting the needy in St. James Parish by working with variouscharity organizations to provide financial help to clients experiencing economic hardship.

“I love helping people,” Steib said. “I love the clients. I enjoy what I’mdoing.”Steib said she may retire in about five years but has not given it serious thought because she likes her job so much.

Steib was nominated for the honor by her supervisor, Sheila Clayton, supervisor of special programs in St. James Parish.She received her awards from the Governor’s Office and from the St.

James Parish Council at ceremonies in Lockport.

Also receiving an award at the ceremonies at Lockport was Joann Borden of Luling. Borden, 60, has been a math resource teacher at Norco K-3Elementary School for three years. She previously taught for 31 years inthe Ouachita Parish Public School system.

Borden was nominated for the honor by Norco Elementary Principal Edie Sirmon and faculty at the school.

Borden also received the 1994 Clinician Teacher of the Year for Louisiana and also was chosen in 1997 to participate in the LASIP (Louisiana Systemic Initiative Program) delegation to the National Math Conference.

Borden said she loves her job too much to retire soon.

“I love children and teaching,” she said. “I’m teaching at the best schoolI’ve ever taught at. Our faculty is one big family.”

Borden was also recognized for her award by the St. Charles ParishCouncil at its April 5 meeting.

Borden is married and has three children and four grandchildren.

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