By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

CONVENT — As 12 sixth-graders, one by one, took the stage inside the Romeville Elementary gymnasium Thursday morning, parents, faculty and the student body prepared to honor them as the students celebrated their “crossover” to Lutcher High School.

It was a historic day, and a historic class — these 12 students were the final crossover class in Romeville history. The St. James Parish School Board voted earlier this month to close down the facility and merge the majority of its student body with that of Paulina Elementary.

Thursday was the final day of school for Romeville Elementary.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Romeville Principal Becky Louque, who has held that position for the past five years. “In my heart … it’s breaking. But at the same time, we can’t dwell on the past. We have to move to the future and embrace a new adventure. I cried enough when the decision was made.”

The ceremony included words from Louque and other school administrators; a guest speaker in Darrence Williams, an undefeated welterweight boxer in Ohio who is also a pastor — and the brother of Romeville teacher Keisha Williams; awards for the schools top achievers in individual subjects and other categories; a poem by one member of the crossover class, Sheila Lemon, and a song by another, Mya Lafargue.

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, a video presentation was shown, outlining the school’s history.

The school board vote to close the school came as result of the diminished school enrollment, as Convent’s residential population has eroded with more industry moving into the area.

Most of the school faculty will be moving along with the students to Paulina after reassignment.

Louque, meanwhile, has been reassigned to become the virtual school principal, effective Aug. 6.

Still, as Louque said, it was bittersweet for many.

“It’s been a long journey,” said Lisa Francis, a special education teacher who has taught at Romeville for nine years. “It’s hard to see this place close … This is a family. But it’s good that we’ll finally all merge together.”

Added Cynthia Adams Joseph, an administrative assistant and the valedictorian of the Romeville class of 1985, “As a former student, this place is special to me. I did not want to see it closed … But I understand it’s for the betterment of the students, ultimately.”

As for the crossover students themselves, Romeville will be no less missed.

“I’ll miss my teachers,” said Laural Donald. “Being the last to graduate makes it really special. I’ve learned a lot here, from first grade to now.”

Said classmate Shane Felton of being part of the final crossover class, “It feels wonderful. I’ve been here nearly my whole life and have had so much fun over the years.”