STM Revolutionizes Educational Experience for Students
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December 2011 – Volume 2, Number 2 IN THIS ISSUE STM Revolutionizes Educational page 2 Alumni News page 3 Walking With The Giants Experience for Students page 4 Alumni Feature by Doug Meaux Remembering STM St. Thomas More Catholic High School’s with a recommended plan of action that includ- Facebook with STM tradition has long been centered on graduat- ed: adopting a laptop/student model, embracing page 5 Fishing Rodeo Results ing students who are critical thinkers, problem Cloud computing strategies, and replacing the Faculty Alumni solvers, communicators and leaders. In their entire wired/wireless network infrastructure at STM Career Day commitment to this vision, school administra- the school. page 6 Alumni Weddings tors are constantly seeking out resources that The computing and infrastructure rec- Triple Crown Winner allow students ommendations were page 7 Future Cougars to participate in aimed at providing Homecoming 2011 learning experi- students and teachers ences focused on with direct access to DATES TO REMEMBER developing essen- unique and innovative December 27 tial 21st century educational resources Sunkist Shootout Alumni Reception skills. on the internet to com- March 17 When Prin- pliment classroom in- 2nd Annual PTC Fashion Show cipal Dr. Audrey struction curriculums. March 28 Menard arrived on With 1100 students “Walk with the Giants” Career Day STM campus last and more than 100 March 31 year, she surveyed faculty members, Me- 5th Annual Sporting Clays Shoot the existing tech- nard knew this would July 21 nology landscape “...I saw that the need wasn’t not be an easy or inex- 3rd Annual STM Fishing Rodeo and noted the need just for computers – it was pensive undertaking. for improvement for 21st century education.” After combining some LEADERSHIP in how teachers creative budgeting, and students were – Audrey Menard a newly established Reverend Louis J. Richard utilizing the tech- student technology Chancellor nology tools avail- fee assessment and Audrey C. Menard able to facilitate a generous gift from Principal the educational a Foundation, the Dr. Christian Sawyer process. school was prepared to Assistant Principal Menard knew move forward with the Anne Pitre that her vision for ambitious, yet achiev- Advancement Director increased technol- able strategic plan. A Rich Lane ogy utilization in plan that would hope- Dean of Students the classrooms fully help Menard re- Kim P. Broussard needed a well- alize the educational Athletic Director thought-out and goals she envisioned www.stmcougars.net strategic plan to for the students and ensure a successful conclusion. With this in faculty at STM. If you would like to submit mind, she gathered a task force of community “When I first arrived at STM, computers an article for More On More, IT leaders to conduct a peer review of the exist- were present, but very limited, primarily for please contact ing IT environment at STM and to provide rec- teacher-use and a few carts with laptops. But I Danny Broussard at ommendations to help make the school one of saw that the need wasn’t just for computers – it 337-988-2550 or the most technologically advanced high schools was for 21st century education. It was time to email dannybroussard@ in the region, if not the country. The commit- take technology to the next level and integrate stmcougars.net tee completed a thorough review and returned continued on page 8 Shawn Carter ’95 has assisted clients in business organization become a partner with and counseling and litigation involving the firm Durio, McGoffin, contract disputes, intellectual property, Stagg & Ackermann unfair competition, trade secrets, (www.dmsfirm.com), employment disputes and premises liability where he maintains an and collections. He has represented active litigation and both residential and commercial James Debaillon ’03 general civil practice owners, developers, sub-consultants, recently accepted an in various fields, including health and primary consultants in both public Application Consultant care, professional liability, business, and private construction projects. position with Epicor employment, intellectual property, and After graduating from law school in Software Corporation’s construction. After graduating cum 2003, Shawn and his wife, Lori Giglio (formerly Acitvant laude from UL, where he was named the Carter ’97, returned to their hometown to Solutions) wholesale Outstanding Graduate for the College begin their careers and raise a family. They distribution group. He of General Studies, Shawn obtained his are the proud parents of two girls, Isabel will travel all over North America doing law degree from LSU, and served as the and Callie. Shawn, a former music major, system setups, process development, and Executive Senior Editor of the Law Review has recorded and performed with several training. Congrats James, looks like he Board. Since beginning his law practice local artists, including Shawn and Lance, will be accumulating some frequent flier in 2003, he has represented hospitals and Marc Broussard, Rex Moroux, Richard miles! doctors in medical malpractice litigation Revue, Mike Dean, Brian Marshal, Drew and other health care matters. He has Zaunbrecher, and many others. Shannon Becnel Trahan ’88 has recently joined Keller Williams Realty FORMER COUGARS Acadiana. She is a lifelong resident of Lafayette and is looking forward to helping those who are buying, selling, or investing in real estate. Shannon taught kindergarten at St. Genevieve from 1993- 1994 and at Our Lady of Fatima from 1994 to 2006. Three STM Alum are currently members Ben Domingue ‘09 celebrates LSU’s victory of the Ragin Jazz Dance Team at UL over Oregon. Lafayette. Pictured left to right are: Jim Keaty ’96 attended Victoria Lane 09, Brittany Broussard ’10, college at The University of and Stefani Domingue’10 Colorado at Boulder where he received a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree with a minor in Economics. In 2004, Jim returned home to Lafayette and opened one of the fastest growing real estate companies in Acadiana, Keaty Real Estate LLC. Since his return, Jim has been actively involved Members of the UL Lafayette Ragin Cajun in the Lafayette community. He has football team include former Cougars: Former Cougars, Tucker Nims ’11 and served as president of Faith House, House Andre Huval ’10, Lance Kelley ’07, and Brandon Monrose ’10, are members of the Cooper Gerami ’09. Captain for Rebuilding Together Lafayette, Northwestern Demons football team. graduated from Leadership Lafayette and Louisiana Realtor Leadership, and served on the Board of Directors of LA Members of the Tulane Realtors as well as the Realtor Association Green Wave football team of Acadiana. Jim is married to Danielle include former Cougars: Chastant and they have two beautiful Cameron DeJean ’10, Brandon Schmidt ’11, daughters, Mae and Joey. Jim resides with Kasey Stelly ‘08, Evan his family in downtown Lafayette and is a Tatford ’11 and Samuel strong advocate of the downtown area. Jim Scofield ’11 maintains contact with STM alumni and contributes his success to the support of his STM family. 2 More on More WALKING WITH THE GIANTS Our first selection is Chris Ledet ’02 who works at Mission Control Walking With The Giants, a monthly video presentation featuring an STM alum Center, and here is his story. can now be viewed on the STM website training, and planning associated with under the Alumni page. The video concept My name is Chris Ledet, and I am a upcoming missions. came to me by the way of Religion teacher, member of the STM Class of 2002. After It takes a lot of knowledge and Mary Collins. “You know Danny, we have graduating from STM, I went on to get a experience for the Mission Control team to had some very talented students graduate mechanical engineering degree from the do something as dangerous as spaceflight from STM over the years, and wouldn’t it University of Louisiana. I’m currently on a consistently safe basis. Now that be nice to honor some of those alum with a living in Houston, Texas, with my wife the shuttle program is complete, we are little video clip of where they are and what Kathryn and our three dogs. lending that expertise to the design of a great things they are accomplishing, so During the last five years, I have been next generation space vehicle. The new here was our introduction given by Coach working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center vehicle will be smaller, lighter, and faster, Danny after mass of our first segment of as a flight controller for the Space Shuttle enabling us to explore further into the Walking With The Giants: Program. We are the people you might have seen on TV, wearing headsets and solar system. We’re also embarking on a series of advanced research projects to help I wish you could know the thousands looking at data in the Mission Control develop the systems that will get us there of extraordinary men and women that Center. I am a member of the Emergency, safely, effectively, and cheaply. have walked these halls over the last 29 Environmental, and Consumables Manager Looking back on my time at STM, I years. I have been blessed and privileged (EECOM) group, and have supported have lots of great memories. I remember to cross paths with 16 shuttle tailgating for football games and heckling every one of them. flights from We have had some very opponents at basketball games. As They have gone on to “ that console a member of the golf team, the state become the leaders of talented students graduate in Mission championship in 2001 will always stand our community, our Control. We from STM over the years, and out, though I wish I could still play as well church; our state and are in control wouldn’t it be nice to honor as I used to.