Academic luncheon honors students
Published 12:05 am Saturday, June 29, 2019
- Parish officials, school leaders and superb students gathered for the annual Academic Luncheon, hosted Wednesday afternoon at Petra Restaurant & Lounge in LaPlace.
LAPLACE — “If you’re nervous, that’s OK — it just means you care about what you’re doing.”
Those were words of advice Councilwoman At-Large Jaclyn Hotard Gaudet offered to students, teachers and principals at the annual Academic Luncheon, hosted Wednesday afternoon at Petra Restaurant & Lounge in LaPlace.
Among the attendees were recent valedictorians and salutatorians from public and private schools in the parish, each preparing to take on a new adventure in college.
Others honored included students, teachers and principals of the year.
Hotard Gaudet offered words of encouragement and reminded all that life doesn’t always go as planned.
“Don’t be afraid to recreate yourself,” she said. “Reinvent yourself and change. The only regret you’ll have later in life are the chances you didn’t take.”
Parish President Natalie Robottom and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary Student of the Year Julian Ruffin look over an achievement certificate.
Other special guests to the event, hosted by Parish President Natalie Robottom and staff, included Councilman At-Large Larry Sorapuru Jr., Sheriff Mike Tregre, Interim St. John Superintendent Heidi Trosclair and incoming St. Charles Catholic principal Dr. Courtney Millet.
Recent LSU chemical engineering graduate and 2015 St. Charles Catholic alumna Emily Bergeron served as guest speaker. She reminded attendees to “stay focused, work hard and never lose sight of yourself or what you want to do in life.”
Sorapuru was happy to see a room full of people full of energy and life. He reminded guests to work hard every day and never let the negative opinions or differences of others become a roadblock to personal success.
Parish President Natalie Robottom and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary Student of the Year Julian Ruffin look over an achievement certificate.
Robottom, a former speech therapist and educator of 23 years, started the academic luncheon under her tenure nine years ago to recognize young people as the future leaders of the parish.
Education is key to all future success, according to Robottom.
“I encourage you to continue to aspire to be the best you can be, and I wish each of you the best of luck and much success as you move on to the next chapter of your life,” Robottom said.
All attendees received a complimentary meal, a certificate of achievement and a photo keepsake.
For additional photos from the event, please visit the St. John Parish website at sjbparish.com.
