Former educator and Pine Prairie principal Ardoin passes away

Long-time principal of Pine Prairie High School, Terry B. Ardoin, has passed away. He was a 1962 graduate of PPHS. When he was 21, he began teaching social studies at his alma mater. Ardoin also coached track, baseball, and basketball. He later became assistant principal, and then principal for 12 years. In 2001, Ardoin retired after over 35 years of service to the school.
Evangeline Parish School Board President, Wayne Dardeau, knew Ardoin all of his life. “He graduated two years ahead of me in high school,” said Dardeau. “He was a dedicated person, teacher, coach, and principal. I had the pleasure of working with him for around 10 years as a school board member. I enjoyed working with him and we had a good working relationship. He always had the right attitude, putting the kids first and the school first. He was a fixture around Pine Prairie. He really liked his home town, and he was here his whole life. I’m sad to see him go.”
Former student, Becky King Nelson said, “He was my favorite principal. He was a very kind, caring person. He always had our best interests at heart. He made going to high school fun. He was also a fair man who listened to the students.”
Superintendent Darwan Lazard, who was principal at Carver Elementary when Ardoin was principal at PPHS, said, “Mr. Terry Ardoin was definitely a long-time, dedicated educator and administrator in Evangeline Parish. He served nearly four decades in education, and I was pleased to be one of his colleagues as we served as principals at the same time, although at different schools. My condolences go out to his family.”
The Pine Prairie High School Alumni Facebook page shared their memories of Ardoin. In their announcement, they said “Mr. Terry was a stickler for the rules, but he had a heart of gold. He touched us all with his kindness, compassion, and endless positive attitude. His laugh was infectious and will truly be missed. As the alumni, we thank him for his lifelong dedication and devotion to PPHS. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.”
In lieu of flowers, the Ardoin family requests donations to be made to the “Terry Ardoin Scholarship Fund,” or mass donations to St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Pine Prairie. Scholarship donations can be mailed in care of Mr. Tom Ardoin, P.O. Box 400, Pine Prairie, LA 70576.