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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH–Every new school year is an exciting time and with it brings change, for both students moving from one grade level to the next, and also for principals as they take on new challenges. The following are some of the changes that will come with the new school year.

Ascension of Our Lord will be headed by Addie Melancon, who has served for 17 years as a teacher and assistant principal at the school in LaPlace. Melancon is a 1995 AOL graduate and firmly believes in the three pillars of the school’s mission, inspired by St. Don Bosco: reason, religion and kindness. She said academic excellence and faith development are priorities. Melancon has two children, a sophomore son at St. Charles Catholic High School and a fifth-grade daughter at Ascension of Our Lord School. She also loves music. “I am looking forward to working with an amazing faculty and staff to make this year memorable and wonderful,” she said. 

Christine K. Creppel, who has served since 2018 as assistant principal of academics and advancement for St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace, has been named the new principal of St. Joan of Arc School in LaPlace. Creppel, a graduate of St. Joan of Arc and mother of a third grader, said, “I am invested in this school, this community and Catholic education in the River Parishes. I believe in the mission and philosophy of the school to ‘prepare students to proclaim and live the Good News of Jesus Christ’ and ‘to develop each student to his/ her full potential as an image of God and member of the body of Christ through (St. Joan of Arc’s) comprehensive education program.” She added, “I know that some (parents) sacrifice quite a bit to provide a Catholic education for their children. I want to honor them in that decision by partnering with them in their children’s education and nurturing their children’s individual developmental growth.”  

Dr. Shelly Chauvin has been named head of school at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace. Chauvin succeeds Dr. Courtney Millet. Chauvin has more than 18 years of professional experience both in the classroom and in school administration. Having spent the majority of her professional career in public education as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, she has devoted recent years to post-Katrina challenges of integrating technology into curriculum. “As products of Catholic education, my husband and I have a high respect and value for Catholic education and have been committed to providing our own five children with the opportunity to attend Catholic schools,” Chauvin said. “I am excited to begin this new role as head of school for St. Charles Catholic so that I can be a part of each student’s and family’s Catholic school journey.”

St. Charles Catholic also announced Carly Flynn, class of 2009, has been named the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Communications for the 2023-2024 school year. During her four years at SCC, Flynn was an active student. Flynn earned a BA in English from Southeastern Louisiana University, an MFA in Poetry from Pacific University in Oregon, and a certificate in Educational Leadership for Catholic Education from Merrimack College in Massachusetts. Flynn has taught in SCC’s English and Social Studies departments and has served as the Director of Admissions and Communications for the past three years.

Kelly Arnett, class of 1997, will serve at the Director of Admissions and Alumni at St. Charles Catholic for the 2023-2024 school year. When asked about her new role, Arnett said: “Being a huge advocate for the school, Director of Admissions is a job that will come naturally because SCC is a place that I truly believe in. I hope to show the students and parents in this area how St. Charles Catholic can educate the whole student academically and spiritually, allowing students to showcase their talents academically, athletically, or in extracurricular activities. It’s such an exciting time to be a COMET!”

Zach Weber, class of 2016, will serve as the Director of Development while continuing to serve as Head Boys Basketball Coach and Head Softball Coach. Weber earned his BA in Business, concentrating in Human Resource Management, and he’s served SCC as an Introduction to Business teacher, Assistant Baseball and Basketball Coach, and Head Basketball Coach. Since joining the SCC staff, Weber has undertaken impressive improvement projects for his program, leading an educational partnership with Louisiana Federal Credit Union for the Introduction to Business class and renovating the boys locker room for his team. 

Connie Powell, class of 1984, will serve as the Director of Human Resources and Athletics Assistant for the 2023-2024 school year. Connie Fisher Powell, JD, currently serves as the Director of Human Resources, and her new duties will include overseeing LHSAA compliance, ticket sales, and more for the SCC athletic department. Powell also serves as the Academic Games Team coach. Powell earned her BBA in Accounting and Finance from Loyola University 1987 and her JD from the LSU Law Center in 1992. Her three daughters, Margaret, Allison, and Erin, are all recent graduates of SCC.