Seniors each ask a teacher to wear their jersey
The senior Tigers players each chose a teacher to honor as part of the M.A.D. recognition program that stands for “Make A Difference,” sees the chosen teachers asked by the players to wear their jersey throughout the day and on the night of a game, with their player offering a few words of appreciation for the positive impact that educator made in their life.
The program started during former Hahnville head football coach Lou Valdin’s tenure with the school and the decade-long tradition continued under current head coach Nick Saltaformaggio.
This year, the chosen teachers were honored before Hahnville’s home game with Central Lafourche.
Hahnville Assistant Coach Mike Silva is in charge of the program and has seen it evolve through the years. “Lou Valdin saw another school do it and thought, ‘what a great way to honor our teachers and let the community know how our kids feel about our faculty.’” Silva said. “What a better outlet could there be to display that than a football game with so many people of our community attending?”
Sometimes, the choices aren’t entirely simple.
“It’s pretty funny when the kids sometimes squabble over the same teacher,” Silva said. “We have to play referee.”Hahnville senior Devin Williams chose Denyse Keller as his M.A.D. teacher, noting the veteran teacher taught him the value of perseverance.
“Mrs. Keller has inspired me throughout my high school years,” Williams said. “She has always pushed me to do my best and has taught me to never give up. She is a great role model who has had a great impact on my life.”
For each teacher, being chosen can give that extra boost of knowing the word they do day in and day out is — as the program is named for — making a real difference in the lives of their students.
“I was extremely honored,” said Keller, who has taught at Hahnville for 28 years. “He continues to make be proud, both on the field and in the classroom. I sincerely believe he’s destined for great things in life.”
Keller said being asked to wear the jersey brings a wave of emotions.
“There is pride, hope and confirmation all mixed together. It’s quite a feeling,” Keller said. “It shows that this group of seniors appreciate their teachers, their school and their community, as well as the work we do for them.”
English teacher Jeanne Nouri was selected by Rashad Domino, who she expressed great pride in. She said that whatever she has been able to pass on to her student will assuredly be paid forward to those in Domino’s life.
“I’m very humbled that Rashad selected me as his MAD teacher because, honestly, he has taught me more than I have taught him,” Nouri said. “He is one of the most Christian, charitable, respectful students I have had the privilege to teach while at Hahnville High School … whatever he decides to do, I can promise you, he will make a difference in someone’s life.”
In some cases, the bond between teacher and student formed over many years. Senior Austin Perrin chose world history teacher Courtney Grabert to wear his jersey; Grabert taught Perrin religion in the fifth grade and social studies in seventh, eighth, eleventh and twelfth grade over their respective times at J.B. Martin Middle School and Hahnville.
“She has mentored me to be a good person and student,” said Perrin. “She taught me for four years in school and in religion and she has always cared about me. She’s made a big difference in my education and my life.”
Said Grabert, “I’m honored. I’ve known and taught Austin since he was much younger … I’ve watched him play football and baseball for over a decade. He definitely holds a special place in my heart.”
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