Lafayette Parish Honors Education All-Stars with Exciting Surprises

A wave of excitement swept through Lafayette Parish schools as 15 finalists for the Love Our Schools Education All-Stars were announced. Surprises unfolded on school campuses on February 6 and 7, 2025, as the dedicated teachers and support staff were recognized for their outstanding contributions to students and the community. Over 1,200 nominations were submitted to Love Our Schools, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the Lafayette Parish School System.

Millicent Nugent, Executive Director of Love Our Schools, emphasized that the initiative is anchored in gratitude. “Education All-Stars is about more than awards; it’s about gratitude,” she stated. Nugent expressed pride in celebrating the finalists and recognizing the countless educators who contribute daily to shaping lives and strengthening the community.

Meet the Education All-Stars Finalists

The finalists represent a diverse group of talented individuals across different school levels. In the Hall of Fame category for Elementary Schools, nominees include:

– Amy Word — Westside Elementary
– Annette Bodin — Milton Elementary
– Latoya Rideau — Cpl. Michael Middlebrook Elementary

The Hall of Fame for Middle Schools features:

– Britney Bonnet-Taylor — Acadian Middle School
– Steven Poulan — Carencro Middle School
– Mireille Mouton — Carencro Middle School

Finalists for the High School Hall of Fame include:

– Emily Benoit — Ovey Comeaux High School
– Mason Denux — Ovey Comeaux High School
– Sara Mulligan — Southside High School

The Breakout All-Star category, recognizing teachers with 1-3 years of experience, includes:

– Mark Mouton — Carencro Middle School
– Harley Dupre — Southside High School
– Emily Weber — Edgar Martin Middle School

Additionally, the All Heart category, which highlights support staff, acknowledges:

– Kathryn Twiner — Carencro Bob Lily Elementary
– Wilton Allen — Southside High School
– Ali Cantrell — Milton Elementary / Middle

The winners will be announced during the halftime of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette men’s basketball game, scheduled for 3 p.m. on February 7. Tickets for the event are available online.

Celebrating Educators and Their Impact

The recognition ceremonies brought immense joy to the finalists, who were greeted with cheers from peers and students. Jenny Baudoin from Love Our Schools remarked, “Recognizing these educators and support staff over the last two days has been an absolute joy. They give so much of themselves to their schools and students, and Love Our Schools is honored to create moments that publicly uplift and value their profession.”

For Brittney Bonnet-Taylor, an English-language arts teacher at Acadiana Middle School, the surprise visit from her principal and Love Our Schools representatives was overwhelming. “I feel like my passion and my purpose are aligned,” she shared, highlighting the personal motivation behind her teaching.

The significance of this recognition is not lost on the schools involved. Kris Leger, principal of Carencro Middle School, expressed pride in having multiple finalists from his institution. He emphasized the collaborative spirit among staff, stating, “It’s a collective effort from administration to teachers to be about the kids. Everyone is 100% on the same page, which is why it works.”

In the lead-up to the awards celebration, local media, including the Acadiana Advocate, will feature profiles of each finalist, capturing their stories and contributions to education. This initiative serves as a reminder of the vital role educators play in nurturing the next generation.