R.J. Vial Elementary School celebrated its past, present and future, all at once.
On Monday, the school hosted a celebratory gathering for the “Jaguars’ Golden Roar,” the school’s 50th anniversary since it was first established in Paradis in 1975.
Former Jaguars, be it alumni or staff, and R.J. Vial’s current students were on-hand for what was an energetic, festive morning to kick off the week.
“It’s a reunion of all of our Jaguars here today,” said R.J. Vial Principal Christina Mullins. “Carrying on that legacy, moving from the past and propelling us into the future.”
Visitors got to take a tour of the school and look at photos and items highlighting the school throughout the years. Guest speakers included Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling, District 4 School Board representative Karen Boudreaux and Assistant Superintendent – and former Vial Principal Angelle Babin. Vial’s top Student of the Year candidates led the ceremony. There was also a recognition displayed for school namesakes R.J. Vial and R.J. Vial Jr., and Carolyn Woods, the school’s founding principal.
Gabrielle Touchard sang the National Anthem and there was a choir rendition of God Bless America.
Mullins said planning for the event began six weeks ago by a committee of R.J. Vial teachers and administrators.
She called R.J. Vial Elementary a special place.
“We stand out on our porch every day and greet our students when they come in. We make sure everything’s OK – and we get lots of hugs,” Mullins said. “And when we leave, we do the same thing, standing at those doors and wishing our students well. It’s something I know I’ll always cherish about it here … I would say it’s the single greatest honor of my professional career to be principal here at R.J. Vial and a part of the Jaguar family.”
For Babin, the school speaks to her as both a former principal and also a mother, as her two children attended Vial.
“This school has a rich history of accepting every student and pushing them to be the very best,” Babin said. “There’s a strong sense of community and tradition that runs through these halls. The teachers here pour their hearts into all they do, and the community rallies around us.
“(The event) felt like a great reunion of people who care for the same things and the memories they made here together. It’s wonderful for me just to be able to be part of that.”
R.J. Vial Sr. was a member of the St. Charles Parish School Board for 40 years, serving much of that time as president. R.J. Vial Jr. served as the parish’s schools superintendent for 29 years. Both were very influential figures in the development of the parish’s school system and oversaw significant progress. R.J. Vial Elementary was named in their honor for their devoted service to the schools and communities of St. Charles Parish.
Oertling said it was a special day to be able to celebrate the school and also its namesakes.
“R.J. Vial Sr. and R.J. Vial Jr. had such an impact not just here, but throughout the entire school system,” Oertling said. “So, highlighting the namesake school is very special for us. It also lends a lot of credence to what took place long before our time, and that we’ve continued to carry on that tradition of success and excellence forward.”
