Berwick council passes out praise for teacher, student, officers
BERWICK – The Town Council meeting on Tuesday was light on weighty business but full of praise for achievements by local people.
The council recognized the Berwick High Student and Teacher of the Year, the Police Officer of the Year and Reserve Officer of the Year.
The council also passed along $600,000 in grant money to the contractor working on the city’s sewer system upgrade.
Tuesday’s honorees included Jude Tarver, the Berwick High Student of the Year.
Tarver, a senior, is headed for LSU after graduation. Principal Toney Linn said Tarver is an A student and president of the Student Council and BETA Club.
His YouTube channel with play-by-play also became the voice of Berwick High football, and he provided game accounts for KQKI and the Review.
“He envisioned what we wanted to do,” Linn said.
The council also recognized Berwick High Teacher of the Year Brooke Scott.
Scott is in her fourth year at Berwick High. Linn praised her willingness to be a mentor to less experienced teachers. And, Linn said, Scott pushes the students in her classes and in the clubs she sponsors to do better and become leaders.
New Police Chief JP Henry also passed out some praise Tuesday.
He named Officer Ryan Veillon Police Officer of the Year.
Veillon joined the Berwick Department in 2024 after serving as a St. Mary Parish deputy. Among other accomplishments, Veillon is trained as a Taser instructor.
The Hilton Rebardi Reserve Officer of the Year Award went to a councilman: Raymond Price.
Henry said that in addition to service as a reserve officer, Price has chipped in when the department needed funds for equipment.
The reserve officer award is named for a longtime officer who is deceased. His wife, Lily Rebardi, was present for Tuesday’s award.
Also Tuesday:
•The council voted to make two payments to Insituform Technologies, the contractor for the town’s sewer system upgrade.
Both payments, for $400,000 and $200,000, go for work on Fourth, Sixth, Texas, Francis and Utah streets.
•The council approved a parade permit for the Krewe of Dionysus. That parade is scheduled for Feb. 14 in Berwick.
•Shannon McFate of the Berwick Heritage Museum said the museum is working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to participate in Wreaths Across America. The goal is to raise money for wreaths to be placed on the graves of local veterans.