2011-2012 Distinguished Graduate

St. Joseph School is proud to announce Stephen Edmund Pugh, SJS class of 1975, as our 2012 Distinguished Graduate.

Our Distinguished Graduate said his Catholic education gave him a strong foundation on which to build his future, develop his personal ethic, and prepare for life's highs and lows.

He is now the Louisiana State Representative for District 73 and serves the community and church in numerous ministries.

Pugh said he has been able to bring Catholic values into the community and world by "promoting my Catholic education, beliefs, and faith to the public through my Christian work ethic, kind spirit, and Christ-like actions".

Pugh is a member of the Ponchatoula Kiwanis and Tangipahoa Volunteer Council on Aging and serves at St. Albert the Great Church in Hammond as extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He is a member of the administration and liturgical committees and the 50th Anniversary Committee at St. Albert and as an advisor to the pastor. He has also been involved in the Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula.

After attending St. Joseph, he graduated from Ponchatoula High School and Southeastern Louisiana University's College of Financial Planning.

He and his wife Liz have two sons, Stephen Edmund II and Christopher Jacob.

Mother Seton Winner is Alum

The 2011-2012 SJS Mother Seton Award Winner is Veronica Kraft Pierson. 

Veronica is a graduate of St. Joseph School (1987). She and her husband Lawrence havebeen married 20 years. They are the parents of two boys. Logan (SJS 2010) is a sophomore at Ponchatoula High School. His brother Lane is in 6th grade at St. Joseph. Veronica teaches 3rd grade at Springfield Elementary. This is her 17th year as an educator. 

Veronica is a busy volunteer in her church parish, at Ponchatoula High School, and at her school of employment.
     • SJS - Home & School member since 2005, Room Mother since 2006, Mother/Son Tailgating Committee, Strawberry Festival Parking volunteer, Spring Fair volunteer, Advisory Council member (2nd term)
     • St. Joseph Parish – Eucharistic Minister, Vacation Bible School, Lifeteen coordinator and volunteer
     • PHS – FFA Mom, JROTC volunteer, PTA member
     • Springfield Elementary School – “Dollars for Dogs” (fundraiser for K-9 bullet-proof vests – LACOP Foundation) 

Amid all this activity, Veronica makes time to also lead other volunteers in efforts which benefit St. Joseph School. Her positive and upbeat nature inspires others to step up to the plate and help out. She is always goes above and beyond. Veronica can always be counted on for positive, gracious, and untiring volunteerism which makes her a perfect Mother Seton Award recipient.

Schmaltz Boys

Congratulations to Cody and Trey Schmaltz. 

Cody, SJS Class of 2010, has been accepted to LSU's Vet School Class of 2016. He will graduate from vet school when he is 23 years old! 

Trey, SJS Class of 2006, has been promoted to Executive News Producer at WBRZ.

Their mother tell us, "I wanted to thank those of you who had an integral part in helping my children reach their goals. My children were fortunate enough to have identified their passions by the time they reached high school. Once at PHS, you helped to nurture that passion. Thanks so much."

PHS Cheerleaders

Six of the twenty cheerleaders at Ponchatoula High School are SJS alumni.

Posing for pictures at their recent banquet are, from left, former SJS cheerleaders Brittany Cuccia, Jean Girdwood, Erin Pereria, Colleen Atkins, Dani Majeau, and Krystal Waddell.

Our Past Distinguished Graduates

1996 Dr. Randolph Howes
1997 Deacon Larry Melancon
1998 Mr. Dennis James
1999 Mr. Danny Heitman
2000 Mrs. Barbara Allen
2001 Dr. Larry Ernst
2002 Mrs. Kim Zabbia
2003 Mrs. Barbara Martino
2004 Mr. Charles “Buddy” Pugh
2005 Mrs. Shirley Johnson
2006 Mrs. Ruth Ourso
2007 Mr. William Corbett
2008 Sr. Ancilla Roussel
2009 Mr. Raymond Braun
2010 Capt. Thomas Waller, Jr.
2011 Mrs. Jackie Mitchell 
2012 Representative Stephen Pugh

Contact Us

Please contact the school (see the "Contact SJS" selection in the menu) to register as a school alum or to submit alumni news.