Photo by Eric Frank

Distinguished Graduates Honored

Renee Thibodeaux Brian, a 1986 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, was among the 28 Catholic school graduates honored at the 2010 Distinguished Catholic Schools Graduates Awards Dinner, held February 2 at the Marriott Hotel. The annual event, hosted by the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, recognizes graduates whose lives exemplify the principles of Catholic education and pays tribute to the contributions they make through service to family, community, education and church.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized by St. Joseph’s Academy.” Renee Thibodeaux Brian '86

The awards dinner is among the highlights of Catholic Schools Week each year. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life. Bishop Robert W. Muench and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melanie B. Verges presented the awards.

Brian earned a degree from LSU in communications with a minor in Spanish. Following graduation, she worked at the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center before fulfilling her dream of becoming a stay-at-home mom.

Brian dedicates her life to her family and is involved in every aspect of her children’s lives. She has served as a room mother, class coordinator, chaperone, Beta Club moderator and in countless other roles at St. Jude School, including as an active member of the Home and School and Athletic associations. She is currently teaching Come Lord Jesus to the eighth-grade classes.

She is an active member of St. Jude Church and is involved in several ministries. She often attends daily mass, participates in prayer groups and is a Eucharistic minister. She visits the sick and elderly in hospitals and nursing homes. She is also involved with the Parish Fair.

Brian teaches a dance class to mentally and physically challenged children at LaSalle Elementary, is involved with the Inner-City Nutcracker and is a volunteer at Woman’s Hospital. She is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and an active member of Junior League.

At SJA, her involvement includes serving as the Alumnae Annual Giving chairperson, a Parents Annual Giving volunteer, Partners in Excellence Breakfast committee member, class representative, Mothers’ Club volunteer and Alumnae Association volunteer. At Catholic High School, she is involved with several groups, including Parents Meeting in Prayer and the Mothers’ Club.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized by St. Joseph’s Academy,” Brian said. “It’s such a heart-warming feeling to be recognized for the things I love to do. I have such a strong devotion to this school, which comes from my mom. The Sisters and school have been so wonderful to my family, and I appreciate being named the distinguished graduate for this year.”

Brian was accompanied by family and friends, including several Academy graduates: mother Carol Roppolo Thibodeaux ’60, sister Michelle Thibodeaux Adams ’82, daughter Victoria Brian ’11 and best friend Suzette Rom Say ’86.
Several SJA alumnae were honored at the dinner as distinguished graduates by their elementary schools. They were SJA President Sister Adele Lambert, CSJ, SJA class of 1954, Sacred Heart School; Joan Robichaux Hutson, SJA class of 1973, St. Aloysius School; Kathleen Alley Lovretich, SJA class of 1977, St. Thomas More School; Lauren Barksdale Hill, SJA class of 2000, Our Lady of Mercy; Kate Butler Cook, SJA class of 2001, St. Jude School; and Callie Hollier, SJA class of 2005, Most Blessed Sacrament.

“The evening celebrating our commitment to Catholic Education was awesome,” Sr. Adele said. “Hearing the profiles of women and men from all walks of life, persons who have lived out their beliefs in our Catholic faith traditions, was an amazing experience. I was particularly impressed with the young graduates who have spent their early years in service of our dear neighbors in third world countries. I am challenged to continue our efforts to educate ‘young women for others.’”

Cook, who teaches social studies at SJA, said she was truly honored to be recognized by a school and church community that means so much to her. “To be there last night and hear the accomplishments and service of the other distinguished graduates was truly humbling,” she said.

Representing SJA at the awards dinner were Principal Linda Fryoux Harvison ’66; Development Director Molly Sanchez; Sister Joan Laplace, CSJ, of the Development Office; Alumnae Coordinator Lauren Griffin ’01; Alumnae Association President Francine Graphia ’83; Sister Lucy Silvio, CSJ ’59, president of the CSJ Ministries board of directors; and Sister Janet Fleischhacker, executive director of CSJ Ministries, based in Nazareth, Michigan.


Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director