By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has chosen the people who will make up the interviewing committee that will choose the next athletic director at East St. John High School.

From a pool of community members nominated by School Board members, local residents Diedre Alexis and Herbert Carter will sit on the committee. Richard Lyons was selected as the alternate community representative.

These people will join a group of district employees. They include ESJ Principal Patricia Triche, ESJ Executive Assistant Principal Percy Williams, Director of Human Resources Leigh Ann Beard and Assistant Superintendent Herbert Smith. Saints special teams coach Greg McMahon will also sit on the committee.

According to Superintendent Courtney Millet, the group will begin screening applicants next week.

The School Board also voted to accept the apparent low bid for renovations at the St. John Child Development Center. With a bid of $497,900, Regal Construction LLC of LaPlace will handle the project, which includes the demolition of two structures on the campus, the creation of additional parking areas, restroom renovations and improvements to drainage, security and the electrical system at the facility.

Other companies that bid on the project were Lanco Construction of LaPlace, MBD Maintenance of Baton Rouge and Picciola Construction Co. of Cut Off.

At Thursday’s meeting, the board also recognized St. John’s 2010 students of the year. The overall students of the year were Lake Pontchartrain Elementary fifth-grader Corey Samuel, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary eighth-grader Aubrey Stewart and East St. John High 12th-grader Sean Thomas.

Other students chosen as students of the year by their respective schools included:

Fifth Grade

• Del’Ray Ceaser, East St. John Elementary

• Hoa Nguyen, Emily C. Watkins Elementary

• Dominique Fultz, Fifth Ward Elementary

• Lauryn Scott, Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet

• Brian Price, John L. Ory Magnet

• Jhajuan Countee, LaPlace Elementary

• Glasia Walker, West St. John Elementary

Eighth Grade

• Joe’Kur Jones, East St. John Elementary

• DeQuan Anderson, Fifth Ward Elementary

• Amanda Duhe, Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet

• Angelliot Thomas, John L. Ory Magnet

• Kayla Ceaser, LaPlace Elementary

• Michael Sanders, West St. John High

12th Grade

• Jordan Triche, West St. John High

The board also recognized the efforts of Reserve Telecommunications Co., which has sponsored the program for the past two years. RTC awarded each student of the year with a $100 savings bond and an embroidered shoulder bag.