Soileau is state finalist

Staff Report

The Louisiana Department of Education announced finalists for the state’s Outstanding School Support Employee awards program. The 10 finalists represent schools across Louisiana and a wide range of professions. Employees eligible for the annual honor serve students and families in roles such as teacher’s aide, bus driver, food service worker, clerical, and custodial.
Among those selected as finalists is Tonya Soileau from Pine Prairie High School.
The school, in its description of Soileau, said, “Mrs Tonya is not only a dedicated secretary, she is a dedicated Panther. There is not a school event, club, or athletic team that could thrive without the help of her in one way or another. Present and past students of Pine Prairie High School, along with the community, see her as family due to her dedication to the school since she arrived.”
“Here on campus, Mrs. Tonya is known as the ‘Knower of All Things’ because, when a question comes up, we all know who to call on for the answer, and if she doesn’t have it, she will find a way to get it. Her co-workers are almost extremely dependent on her, but she knows where to draw the line. We love her open honesty.” 
“She acknowledges the staff’s joys and also shares our sorrows and for that we are truly grateful to have her with us at Pine Prairie High School. Thank you, Mrs. Tonya for everything you do. We love you and there is nothing you can do about it!”
An overall state honoree and the finalists will be recognized during the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) meeting on April 10. Finalists were selected among over 700 nominees submitted from across the state. All public school systems were eligible to make one selection per category: elementary, middle, and high school.
The LDOE recognizes that outstanding school support staff are critical to school success. Annually, the Department recognizes and celebrates some of the state’s most exceptional school support staff through the Outstanding School Support Employees award program. This program provides the opportunity to acknowledge those support employees who have rendered time and talents beyond the call of duty. These staff exemplify Louisiana’s best in the education profession and play an integral role in school and student success.
Selections were based on the following criteria: display of outstanding leadership qualities in inspiring or motivating others, evidence of service or achievement above and beyond what is expected in the usual school operation, professionalism in her or her role as a support to the operation of the school, in addition to other specific factors such as skill and dedication, plans to continue active employment, respect and rapport with students, respect of and rapport with parents, respect of and rapport with coworkers, and community leadership.
The other finalists for the 2024 Louisiana Outstanding School Support Employee Awards are:
Elementary
Lafayette Parish: Maria Yaraure-Reyes (Paraprofessional/ Katharine Drexel Elementary)
Ouachita Parish: Malcolm Gay (Paraprofessional/George Welch Elementary)
Plaquemines Parish: Nicole Sylve Consuello (Custodial/Belle Chasse Primary)
West Feliciana Parish: Eric Mendel (Paraprofessional/Bains Elementary)

Middle:
Caddo Parish: Carlton Hardy (Security Coordinator/ Caddo Middle Career & Technology)
Jefferson Parish: Neil Perry (Custodial/Marrero Middle)
Livingston Parish: Ashley Guzzardo (Clerical/ North Corbin Junior High)
High:
East Feliciana Parish: Leo Brown (School Bus Driver/ East Feliciana High)
Jefferson Davis Parish: Deidra Reed (Clerical/Jennings High)