For the first time, St. Charles Parish Public Schools has created alumni associations for Destrehan High School and Hahnville High School, with inaugural officers elected March 18.
The associations include Legacy Chair positions for alumni of Mary M. Bethune High School and G.W. Carver High School, both of which served Black students prior to the desegregation of public schools in the late 1960s.
Kelsey Pollock, community engagement coordinator for the school district, said the primary goal of the associations is to build a thriving and united alumni community for every graduate of parish public schools.
“The mission of these alumni associations is to support current students, preserve the unique legacy of each school and strengthen connections between alumni and the wider community,” Pollock said.
The associations will also honor distinguished alumni and support volunteer efforts and scholarship fundraising. Activities coordinated by the groups may include organizing homecoming tailgates or creating mentorship programs.
The groups are the first official, district-supported alumni associations, and they are working toward nonprofit 501(c)(3) status.
Pollock said the initiative is a tribute to the parish’s history and a commitment to keeping alumni connected to the heart of parish schools.
“Whether you graduated 50 years ago or just last year, there is a place for you in these associations to help us build a lasting foundation for future generations,” she said.
Pollock said it was a priority for the district to properly honor the rich histories and contributions of Mary M. Bethune High School and George W. Carver High School.
“By including dedicated Legacy Chairs in our leadership structure, we ensure that the foundational roles these schools played in our community are never forgotten and remain a central part of our unified story,” she said.
Last year, the district announced its search for alumni to serve as association leaders. It sought candidates who have been alumni for at least five years, represent diverse professional backgrounds and graduating decades and demonstrate strong ties to the parish community.
The elected leaders are listed below.
Alumni Association of Bethune–Destrehan High School Officers
President: Erin Incardona
Vice President: Kila Marbley
Secretary: Melody Walsh
Treasurer: Aaron Hurd
Bethune Legacy Chair: John Smith
Bethune Legacy Vice Chair: Kandyce Henry
Alumni Association of Carver–Hahnville High School Officers
President: Nicholas Binet
Vice President: Maria Cancienne
Secretary: Abby Trauth
Treasurer: Alexis Dillon
Carver Legacy Chair: Ellis Alexander
