Ashley Franklin and Joey David from the State Museums presented at our first General Session on Oct. 22. Ms. Franklin and Mr. David provided backstories on the museums and discussed volunteer opportunities and events with the museums. After the lunch break, our members learned some new dance moves from Leea Russell. They also learned about the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the impact their individual Arts Councils have on the community. Amy Wold from the Water Institute of the Gulf spoke with members about the impact the Water Institute has on their communities. On Wednesday Oct. 23, Dana Vicknair, director of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) gave our members an update on the retirement system. View the slides from her presentation here. She and our executive director Rodney Watson answered questions from the audience. Thank you to our guest speakers for taking the time to talk with us and helping to make our retirement years great!
Members of the Louisiana Public School Coalition came together for a panel discussion on Tuesday Oct. 22. The panel discussed the primary elections and the implications of the results (including the runoff races). Members of the panel also discussed the role the Coalition played in their individual organizations and how retired teachers continue to make an impact on education and the state of Louisiana. Thank you to the members of the Louisiana Public School Coalition for taking the time to come together and speak to our members.
Lazette Watterson, LRTA second vice-president and state programs chair, presented this year’s Unit Challenge Award Winners. They are:
Bronze:
Vernon RTA – Beryl Ford and Tresa Abramson, Co-Presidents
Winn RTA – Brenda Etheridge, President
Silver:
St. Landry Parish REA – Dr. Savoynne Williams, President
St. Mary RTA – Nelson Cortez, President
Acadia RTA – Rebecca Butler, President
Baton Rouge Area RTA – Leona Benoit, President
Beauregard RTA – Julie Porter, President
Lincoln Parish RTA – Barbara Kirkland, President
Webster RTA – J. O. Jefferson Thomas, President
Bossier RTA – Annette Lee, President
DeSoto RTA – Joe Hewitt, President (24 points)
Union Parish RTA – Janice Savage, President
Gold:
Ascension RTA – Peggy Aime, President
Lafourche RTA – Beth Plaisance, President
Ouachita RTA – Norene Smith, President
St. Landry Parish RTA – Patricia Woods, President
Vermilion RTA – Mollie Charpentier, President
Bogalusa RTA – JoAnna Frazier, President
Iberia RTA – James Broussard, President
St. Bernard Parish RTA – Paul Grethel, President
St. James RTA – Millie Matherne, President
St. Tammany Retired School Employee Assn. – Eric Sacks, President
Iberville RTA – Barbara Davis, President
Jeff Davis Area RTA – Frances Byler, President
Terrebonne RTA – Lynn Ellzey, President
Caddo/Bossier RTA – Raymond Love, President
Calcasieu Parish Unit of Retired Teachers – Ivy Mouton, President
Livingston Parish RTA – Cheryl Lass and Addie Barnes, Co-Presidents
Tangipahoa RTA – Linda Vaccaro, President
Sabine RTA – William Thomas, Jr., President
Solid Gold (30 points):
Assumption Parish RTA – Linda Gaudet, President
Caddo RTA – Emma Shepard, President
Calcasieu-Cameron RTA – Mary Margaret David, President
CENLA RTA- Jesse Turner, President
Rapides RTA – Gloria Hearne, President
Dorothy Wilson
During the 2019 Fall Meeting, LRTA honored Dorothy Wilson as the Name of Fame winner. Read the news release here.
(Lazette Watterson and Alva Martin pin Patricia Woods with her Life Member pin)
Patricia S. Woods received the Rupert Breland Memorial award during the convention banquet. Woods previously served as the president of District V. She currently serves as president of the St. Landry RTA. Woods remarked that Dan Verret recruited her to join LRTA and encouraged her to take on leadership positions early on. Alva Martin and Lazette Watterson presented the award.