2009-2010 Distinguished Graduate

St. Joseph School is proud to announce Captain Thomas J. Waller, Jr., SJS class of 1994, as our 2010 Distinguished Graduate. 

Tommy is an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He and his wife Rebecca live in Ponchatoula with their twenty month old son Oran. He is the oldest of Tom and Julie Waller's seven children, all alumni or current students at SJS.

As a young man raised in the Catholic Church, Tommy learned at a very early age the meaning of honor. He learned the importance of honoring God and his family and his fellow countrymen, to treat others as he would wish to be treated, and to be grateful for the blessings bestowed upon him. 

The qualities of maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that he learned throughout Catholic school enabled him to set the example in various orgnaizations and in the community. In the Boy Scouts of America he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and served as a mentor to younger scouts for many years. 

His demonstration of personal honor through hard work and discipline in both academia and athletics throughout his years in high school resulted in him being named Mr. PHS and being awarded the Wells Athletic Award for having contributed more than any other to PHS athletics throughout his four years. During this same period, his leadership performance in the Marine Corps Junior ROTC earned him a full-paid scholarship to Tulane University, and his desire to honor the sacrifices of those who earned his freedom led him to serve his country as a United States Marine.

As a Marine Infantry Officer, Tommy needed both moral and physical courage to accomplish his duties on a daily basis. In his well-disciplined Catholic upbringing, Tommy quickly learned that adherence to a high standard of personal conduct required courage and perseverence. 

His teachers and parents focused on developing him as a well-rounded person and taught him the importance of maintaining an inner strength to do what is right at all times. Most importantly, he knew from his early years that God is always in control and at his side. His vision of reality was grounded in the sacredness of creation and the sacramental traditions of the Church.

While Tommy had to brave personal danger throughout his three combat tours to both Afghanistan and Iraq, he depended on the Lord for strength and for guidance as he continues to do today on a daily basis. His faith in the Lord's divine assistance and in the Virgin Mother still compel him today to pray the Rosary for strength and courage.

Catholic school taught Tommy commitment to God and to others. The demanding academic requirements and disciplinary standards of Catholic education helped form both spiritual dedication and an unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of excellence in every endeavor. 

Tommy has and continues to commit much of his life to the service of his nation and others. Most importantly, throughout his upbringing in the Church he has come to recognize the commitment that Jesus made to the world in dying on the cross, and it is within the shadow of Calvary that Tommy continues to gauge his own level of commitment to God, Family, Country, and Corps.

"Catholic education helps form the cornerstone within one's character from which a person advances themselves and others toward Christ, bridging life from earthly to eternal." -- Captain Thomas J. Waller, Jr.

Teacher of the Year

Veroncia Kraft Pierson (class of 1987), a third grade teacher at Springfield Elementary School, was recently awarded the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award by the American Legion.
The award was presented in a “surprise” ceremony by American Legion Post 258.

Toast 'n' Jam Poster

Congratulations to LESLIE GUAY (class of 2003)! Her artwork was chosen to be the official poster for the 2008 Strawberry Jam 'n' Toast to the Arts.  

FBLA Honors

JENNY STEIB (class of 2004) placed 3rd in Accounting I at the FBLA State Leadership Conference this week. This qualifies her for the FBLA National Leadership Conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.

2007 Valedictorians

Five of the thirteen 2007 valedictorians at Ponchatoula High School are alums of St. Joseph School. LOGAN DAVIS, CHAD MITCHELL, MEGHAN ZAYAS, STEPHANIE STEVENS, and AIMEE KOLWE 
recently visited St. Joseph to sit for this photgraph.
St. Joseph School is very proud of these students and their many achievements.

2008 Valedictorians

Three of the  2008 valedictorians at Ponchatoula High School are alums of St. Joseph School. 
THERESA PEVEY, CHELSEA HERRICK, EMILY NICKENS 
recently visited St. Joseph to sit for this photgraph.
St. Joseph School is very proud of these students and their many achievements.

Class of 1946

Many, MANY thanks to ANN BOUDREAUX (class of 1946) for providing the school with the names and current addresses for the entire class of 1946! St. Joseph School much appreciates this wealth of information!

National Honor Society

Congratulations to LANA GUAY, ASHTEN LANDRY, DANA OSBORN, EMILY PEVEY, KYLE PLAUCHE, and CODY SCHMALTZ (class of 2006) for being honored as members of the National Honor Society at Ponchatoula High School!

Centurion Queen

AMY COX (class of 2004) has been named Queen of the Centurion Krewe for the upcoming Mardi Gras season. Also serving in her court are her brothers Duke  BILLY COX (class of 2000) and Duke JIMMY COX (class of 2007) along with Maid TAYLOR DIETZ (class of 2007).

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