LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / August 26, 2000

LULING – When she was a student at Hahnville High School, young Rochelle Cancienne had a dream – to be a TV reporter. Along the way, she groomedherself toward that dream, acquiring skills, confidence and knowledge.

Now, 10 years after high school, Rochelle Touchard is having the time of her life as public information officer for the St. Charles Parish SchoolSystem. “I’m in perpetual motion, as my husband says,” she declared.That’s not surprising, with her constant duties working with the school administrations, serving as the legislative liaison in Baton Rouge and coordinating the cable Channel 8 productions.

“Fortunately, I have a very supportive school board and staff, and a very patient husband,” Touchard said.

Back in high school she was constantly involved – cheerleader, softball, marching band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student council. Whileshe was attending LSU she was also the 1992 Louisiana Catfish Festival Queen.

The next year she married Chris Touchard and, two years later, they had a daughter, Grayson, who begins kindergarten Monday.

“I’ll be involved in everything she does,” said Touchard.

It was television, though, which initially lured Touchard, so she pursued a mass communications degree with a focus in broadcasting. Prior tograduation, however, it was the struggles with having a new family which prompted her toward a more financially secure job than television, so she joined Gov. Foster’s Office of Rural Development. “I loved my job in thegovernor’s office, but the opportunity came to come back here,” Touchard noted.

Another lure was due to her daughter and the prospect of a quality education in St. Charles Parish. “She will be getting a better educationthan I did, and I feel I got a good education,” she said.

Returning to St. Charles Parish was a nervous prospect at first, but shecredits Superintendent Dr. Rodney Lafon with smoothing her way.”I never really anticipated that I would come back here, but Dr. Lafon issuch a great mentor. I was a little nervous at first, but Dr. Lafon made iteasy,” she said.

Now, being on a first-name basis with many of the teachers and principals she revered as a student is a heady experience for her. “It’s a nicefeeling,” she said with a smile.

About the same time she finished high school Touchard also entered the Army National Guard, an experience she wishes every high school graduate would go through for the discipline and maturing experience. She was inthe National Guard 10 years, leaving as a lieutenant last November.

“It made me aggressive,” she said. “I like to see things get done. I like togive 110 percent to everything I do.”And it shows, since some of her work has earned national recognition.

The military experience taught her the value of teamwork, as well as discipline, as well as setting and meeting goals. Touchard said of herNational Guard experience, “It’s a choice I will never, ever, regret. I hopeto go back in for another 10 years.”And, even with all this activity, she also finds time for leadership roles in United Way, Professional Business Women of the River Region, Economic Development Commission and her new appointment to the River Region Tourism Commission.

Does she relax at all? She also plays softball in a women’s league. “I’mvery competitive,” she said.

The daughter of Richard Cancienne and Stephanie Rester, Touchard has found a little slice of professional heaven working for St. Charles ParishSchools.

“There has not been a day when I would wake up and dread going to work. Ihave a taste for everything in this position,” she said.

“I’ve been accused of burning the candle at both ends, but that’s just me.”

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