School Board pays tribute to retirees, award recipients

The St. Mary Parish School Board passed along awards to teachers from a local company and said farewell to retiring staffers, including a woman who worked for local schools for more than half a century.
At its regular first-Thursday meeting in Centerville, the board recognized soon-to-be retirees, including paraprofessional Shirley Jones. A 1961 graduate of Willow Street High School, Jones began work at Willow Street Elementary in August 1973.
She worked there for 23 years before joining the staff at J.A. Hernandez Elementary for 20 years of service. Jones spent the last decade at Raintree Elementary.
“For 53 years, Mrs. Jones was more than an educator — she was a comforting presence, a compassionate heart, a champion for children, and a source of unwavering encouragement for every student fortunate enough to cross her path!” the school system said in a Facebook post.
Also recognized Thursday on their retirement:
•Theri Jo Candella, Centerville School.
•Gayle Thomas, M.E. Norman Elementary School.
•Felecia Henry, Berwick High School.
•Myra Wiggins, Franklin Senior High School.
•Brenda Preston, Wyandotte Elementary School.
•Wayne Mire, Central Office Complex.
•Patricia Harrington, J.B. Maitland Elementary School.
A familiar name topped the list of nominees in the 2026 Manuel Builders Building Foundations program.
The grand prize recipient is Donella Wagner, head custodian at Raintree Elementary.
Wagner was named earlier this year as a national Recognizing Inspiring School Employees winner. RISE honors outstanding support staff members.
As the grand prize winner in the Manuel Builders program, she received $1,000.
The first-place recipient is Candella, a guidance counselor at Centerville High. The second-place recipient is Kaylee Kidder, a teacher at Hattie Watts Elementary.