Spotlight on Rodney Thornhill

by Margaret Sharpe

When I first asked Grover Rodney Thornhill if he would like to be the subject of the next Spotlight on a Retired Educator article, he responded with “Who, me?  I’m just a boring teacher from Sixth Ward!”

Even though I have known Rodney for years in a professional capacity, I assumed from his response that he was indeed from Sixth Ward and had taught there all of his teaching career until his retirement in 2013.  

Well, I was wrong on so many levels!

First, I found out quickly that Rodney does not live in Sixth Ward, and he is not boring!  How could someone whose father worked for an airline and flew his son all over the United States to attend major league baseball games grow up to be boring?  Not your typical father-son weekend outing!

Rodney actually grew up in New Orleans, attended Mater Dolorosa Catholic School, was a Rummel High Raider and then graduated from Loyola.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Rodney’s first job while he was working his way through college was at Moisant Airport in New Orleans working for Continental Airlines in Operations, specifically in Weights and Balances among other areas.  

Eventually, Rodney became a salesman, trying to support a young family and help his wife finish her nursing degree. He soon discovered that he was NOT cut out to be a salesman!

When Rodney’s wife Sandy began her career as a Nurse Practitioner, Rodney was able to work towards becoming a teacher, getting first his Master’s and then a Specialist Degree in Administration at Southeastern Louisiana College.

During these busy years, Rodney and Sandy were happily raising three children who all proudly graduated from Mandeville High School. Their oldest daughter Alison grew up to become an Army Nurse, retiring from the military as a major after 23 years.  She also has become a Nurse Practitioner like her mother and is now the mother of a 10-year-old daughter named Parker who attends Mandeville Middle School.  

Rodney and Sandy also had twins Jennifer and Jeffery.  Jennifer, a Speech Pathologist and her husband Kevin are raising three children:  Olivia, 13, who goes to Mandeville Junior High, Amelia, 10, who attends Tchefuncte Middle School and Eli, 5, who is a preschooler. 

The other twin, Jeffery, who was a Marine for five years, is married to Melissa.  They have two daughters:  Caroline, 11, and Lily, 8.  Both girls attend Lancaster Elementary.  From memory, Rodney was able to tell me the names, ages, and schools that all of his grandchildren attend since he can often be found in after-school bus lines picking up those grandchildren.  

In fact, he was ready to tell me all of their teachers’ names as well!  It is obvious he is proud of his family and loves each one of them dearly.

Rodney’s first teaching assignment was at Catherine Strehle Elementary School in Avondale where he taught sixth grade and was the only male on the faculty!  Although living in New Orleans, he lobbied Mr. Jabbia to give him a chance in St. Tammany Parish.  

While visiting Sixth Ward Junior High School, he fell in love with the little country K-8 school in Pearl River and landed the job as a teacher at Sixth Ward, moving his family to their home in River Forest Subdivision where they lived for 25 years.  Eventually, Rodney served as RHT for 3 years and assistant principal for five years at Sixth Ward Elementary.  His students knew him affectionately as “Mr. T.”  

But now, when not acting as Uber driver for his grandchildren, Mr. T can be found at the gym near his home in Madisonville.  Sandy is currently working part-time so they have found themselves going back and forth redecorating their vacation home in Destin, Florida.  That is, when they are not traveling around the globe!  

Last year they took 4 of their grandchildren on a memorable trip to Paris, Venice and Florence!  Last month, Rodney and Sandy took a river cruise to Amsterdam, Germany and Switzerland.  And in a few days, they will be leaving for Ireland!

When I asked Rodney what he misses most about his years as an educator, he said it was the socialization with people every day.  It is obvious that he loves people and lives by his own motto:  Let life come to me!

Grover Rodney Thornhill is living his life to the fullest with a family he loves and a wonderful, carefree attitude.  No, Mr. T is not a boring teacher from a little country school.  He has places yet to go and people yet to meet!

Retired Teachers To Meet May 9

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association will meet on Thursday, May 9., at the Treen Technology Center in Mandeville, beginning with a social networking time starting at 9:30 a.m. and the general meeting starting at 10 a.m. 

The Spring luncheon will feature the election of officers, the memoriam for members who have passed on during the past year, and the awarding of the annual college scholarship. Several annual awards will also be presented, including the John Foster Member of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award

Silent Auction

A silent auction will be held, with money raised from the auction of donated items to go towards the group's scholarship fund. To download a Auction Donor Form, CLICK HERE.

The organization currently has 845 members and welcomes newly-retired school system employees to join and keep up-to-date about topics of local interest, opportunities to volunteer in the community, and visit with colleagues. A new membership directory will be printed in the fall, so new members will want to be included in that publication. Existing members may want to update their information as well. 

Spotlight on Ella Selmon

We often hear the term “Hometown Hero” and think of famous soldiers, policemen, or firemen who are honored with a lot of fanfare.  This morning I would like to introduce you to a true Hometown Hero who quietly goes about her business of making her community the best that it can be.

Ella Mae Davis Selmon was born at Lallie Kemp Hospital in Independence, LA on November 23, 1944.  She came home to Covington where two older brothers and two older sisters were waiting for her.  It is in this part of Covington that Ella grew up, attended Rosenwald School, and went on to live and work in this same area for all of her 74 years.

It was at Rosenwald School where one of her fondest memories is of her favorite teacher, Ms. Rawls, who taught her English.  She still remembers how finely dressed Ms. Rawls was every day with heels, stockings, and lipstick.  Her professionalism impressed young Ella.
At age 20, Ella married Edward Selmon and together they raised two children.  

Their son, Antonio Paul, graduated from CHS and went on to a career in the Army.  Antonio’s daughter Candace graduated from Slidell High.  Ella and Edward’s daughter Jennette graduated from CHS in 1979 and went on to spend seven years in the Navy, finally settling down in Baltimore, Maryland.  

Ella’s first job was as a School Crossing Guard right in her Rosenwald neighborhood where she had attended school.  After this job, Ella began substitute teaching but did not care for being inside very much, so she began substituting as a bus driver, especially on her  husband Edward’s school bus.  She was a substitute bus driver for 17 years.  Eventually, she got her own Special Ed bus and began transporting special needs students for 13 years until she retired.

While Ella is officially retired, she has not slowed down one bit.  She is a proud member of her neighborhood church, the Mount Zion Pilgrim Missionary Church, and has attended their annual convention in cities from Texas to Florida for many years.  She has been a Sunday School teacher and is still an active member of the choir, even though she admits her singing voice is not the best!  

All of these things have made Ella an important member of her Covington neighborhood.  But this is not all she does!  She is a regular participant in the Jail Ministry where she shares Bible Lessons with interested female prisoners.  Ella is a regular volunteer at the Northshore Food Bank and often walks across the street to volunteer at the Covington Boys and Girls Club.  

She is an important member of the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association, as well as a board member of the Covington Housing Authority.  Other board positions include the Covington Civil Service Board, and the Covington Tree Board.  

And she does all of this without any expectation of payment or praise.  Her volunteering comes from the heart.  When asked if she did anything for her own pure enjoyment, she said she reads the First Baptist Church Daily Lessons and the devotional books Daily Guideposts. 

Speaking of books, in Ella’s “spare time,” she admits that she is busy writing a book detailing her years growing up in the sleepy little Southern town that Covington was some 70 years ago.  While she has not divulged the name of the book yet, I think we can all agree it will be a big hit!

Ella’s tireless energy and boundless volunteering to improve the community where she grew up defines the term Hometown Hero.  When asked what she would like to put on her Bucket List, Ella responded that she wished she had a beautiful singing voice.  My guess is the Lord hears only beautiful music when Ella sings!

Retired Teachers To Meet March 14 at Mandeville Center

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association wll meet on Thursday, March 14, to hear LSU Agricultural Center County Agent Will Afton speak about Superplants and soil and lawn maintenance. 

The meeting will take place at the David Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville, with a social networking time starting at 9:30 a.m. and the general meeting starting at 10 a.m.

In connection with the presentation, there will be a "plant swap" and members are invited to bring a plant and take a plant of their liking. Group president Donna Harvin says, "Please bring a cutting or bulb from your favorite plant. Attach the name of the  plant as well as hints for the best light and watering conditions."

New  retiree memberships are always welcome. The decoration theme for this month's meeting is "St. Patrick's Day," so wearing the green is encouraged. For more information about the STRSEA, call Donna Harvin, STRSEA President at 985-502-9501. 

Festive Christmas Meeting Held

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association met Thursday, with more than 70 members turning out for the festive Christmas luncheon despite the drizzling rain.

Music was provided by Talented Music Teacher Mel Rogers of Covington High and three of his Covington High music students. They entertained the group with a variety of Christmas songs. 

Members enjoyed a report on the recent Home Tour of Houmas House held the week before, where 41 members participated. The group made $139 from the trip, which will go into the Educational Scholarship Fund. 

Jack Loup announced there would be no legislatve meeting in January, so the group will hold its next meeting next March, according to Donna Harvin, President. 

Lunch was served

How many words can you make using the
letters from the phrase: Merry Christmas?

Music provided by CHS Mel Rogers and three of his students

Covington High School retirees at the meeting

To see even more photos, click on this link 

for a PDF File.

Spotlight on Paul Bowman

     Our Spotlight shines this month on an educator who has dedicated his career to making sure his students were never bullied!  Why?  Because he knows exactly what it feels like to be picked on as a child!  

     Paul Bowman was born in Frankfurt, Indiana.  He was the 6th of nine children.  The first eight (Max, Dale, Glen, Rex, Mark, Paul, Karl, and Gene) were all boys and Number 9 (Lois) was the lone girl!  But at birth Paul had a problem with the growth of his neck muscles which caused him to develop a severe stutter.  He became a victim of teasing and bullying by other children.  

     Paul remembers he drew his strength from the singer Mel Tillis who had a severe stutter when he spoke but could sing perfectly without stuttering.  This gave Paul hope, as well as the story that Moses was also a stutterer.  He figured if they could overcome obstacles, he could, too!  And with the help of several surgeries as a child, his stuttering was virtually eliminated!

     Following in the footsteps of his hardworking farming parents, Paul’s first job was at age seven, mowing the grass of a retired school teacher with a push lawnmower.  At age eleven, he became a farm hand, milking cows and driving a tractor for 50 cents an hour!  In later years, he became a laborer at a Firestone tire factory and an ammonia company.

     After high school, Paul left Indiana for Southeastern Louisiana College in Hammond, LA where his older brothers Rex and Glen, who had received a full basketball scholarship, attended.  Paul participated in track and field events and graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1970.  

     Although he returned to Indiana to teach science and physical education for nine years, he eventually settled in St. Tammany Parish where he taught for 30 years at Fifth Ward Junior High.  During that tenure, Paul taught life, earth and physical sciences as well as physical education.  He also coached football, basketball, volleyball, track and served as the Athletic Director.

     Retiring in 2011, Paul worked with five principals during his time at Fifth Ward:  Coyt Woods, Bruce Davis, Bill Brugman, Brandon Clanton and Jimmy Smith.  

     During these years as a teacher, Paul was also busy being a father to two sons, Adam and Derek, a step-daughter Kelli and a step-son David.  He married his current wife, the former Debra Booth from Covington in 2000.  Now he is busy being the ultimate grandfather to grandson Michael, age 15, and granddaughters Kaitlin, age 13, twin 5-year-olds Ava and Alexa, Beckett, age 2 and one on the way in June!

     While Paul is officially retired from the school system, he is still very much involved with many of the sideline activities he participated in for many years.  He has been a major figure in promoting the annual Punt/Pass and Kick contests in this area where he was recently the Head Official at the National Punt/Pass and Kick contest at the Saints Facility earlier this month. 

     Paul is one of the main officials in Track and Field meets at LSU and various universities as well as the high school championship meets.  He also coordinates, officiates and participates in the Louisiana Senior Olympic Games.

     And in his spare time, he drives a charter bus!  A lot!  He has been a certified charter bus driver for 38 years and is also a tour director for KOA Campgrounds.  He is still a full-time driver during the summer and on holidays and has been all over the United States!

     When asked what was his favorite trip while driving the charter bus, he said it was the school trips he would take with his students from Fifth Ward exploring the historic sites in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington DC.  This was a tradition every three years for many years at that school.  He cherishes the note he received from a grown man who thanked him years later for one of those trips because the man had never gone out of state again.

     This is also a very busy time of year for Paul because he creates handmade wooden Christmas ornaments for about 80 of his closest family members!  From cutting the figures out of wood to carefully painting each by hand, Paul celebrates the season with his own version of a street car, a fleur-de-lis or the St. Louis Cathedral.  He then thoughtfully wraps each one and mails them to his siblings, nieces and nephews just in time for Christmas.

     Paul enjoys meeting with what he calls the Senior Coffee Club each Monday and Wednesday around 7:45am at McDonalds in Covington.  Favorite restaurants that he and his wife Debra enjoy are Chick-Fil-A, Copelands and Texas Roadhouse.  His favorite TV show is NCIS-New Orleans, and his favorite movie is The Christmas Story.

     Paul’s bucket list includes a trip to Alaska, one of the few states he has yet to visit.  Upon reflecting on the sixth son of a farmer in Indiana, and what that little boy with a stutter has grown up to accomplish, there is no doubt that Paul will make it to Alaska soon!  And he will probably be distributing Christmas ornaments while he drives a charter bus to get there just in time to officiate a track meet!

Project Christmas Gift Ideas For Dec. 13

Retired school employees will once again be taking part in "Project Christmas" by bringing donated gifts to the group's December 13 meeting.

The STRSEA will be holding it's Annual Christmas Meeting and Luncheon for all members on December 13, beginning with a special guest performance at 10:00 a.m,  Participants are asked to contribute an appetizer, vegetable or desert for this Pot Luck Event.  Donna Harvin, president, said, "We will be collecting new toys for Project Christmas including items for children, teens, and the elderly.  We hope you can attend and join us in some holiday cheer." 

Suggested gift deals overall include

Art Set/Art supplies
Bath Set
Bath Toy
Bike/Scooter/Ripstick
Board Games/Card Games
Books
Building Blocks
Camera w/San Disk Memory Card
CD Player
Chemistry Set
Clothes
Comforter Set/Sheets – size & color/pattern
Craft Kits/Model Kits
Dolls/Accessories
Dress-up Clothes with size
DVD Player-Portable ($60+) or TV connected
Easy Bake Oven/Age Appropriate
Educational Toys
Hair Products – specify type
Head Phones (Generic)/Ear buds
Jewelry
Kitchen Play Set
Legos

Make-up – specify type and colors
MP3 Player w/Google play card
Musical Toys
Perfume/Cologne
Puzzles
Race Car Set
Radio
Remote Control Toys
Skates – specify size
Socks/Fuzzy Socks
Sports Balls/Equipment
Stuffed Animals
Trains
Trucks
Wallet
Watch
Gift Cards – Barnes&Noble, Bath & Body
Works, Books-A-Million, Game Stop,
Google Play, Movie theater, I-Tunes,

Suggested gifts for teens include

Anything Saints/Pelicans - hats,
footballs, basketballs, accessories
Art sets/Art supplies
Bath towel sets (color)
Belts (Size)
Board games for older kids like Battleship, Jenga, Monopoly
Bulletin boards, decorations for a room (color)
Comforter sets/Sheets (Specify size and color)
Duffle bags
Electric razor
ENO hammock
Fishing pole
Fleece throws (color)
Gift box sets for :
Bath accessories
Colognes
Nails
Young men’s toiletries
Hair accessories - bows, ribbons, etc.
Hats/gloves/scarves/caps
Jewelry / jewelry boxes
Keychain
Makeup kits (teens)
Models
Oil diffusers

Personal journal or diary
Sleep wear
Slippers (Specify size)
Socks/fun socks/athletic
Sports balls - footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, soccer
Sweaters/zippered jackets (Specify Size)
Throw pillows (color)
Ties – young men’s
Wallets/purses/wristlets
Water bottles/cups
Watch

Gift Cards
Barnes & Noble
Bath & Body Works
Books-A-Million
Game Stop
Google Play
I-Tunes
Movie theater
Ulta

NO big box stores giftcards like Walmart or Target. 

Suggested gifts for seniors:

Belts (Specify size)
Clothing (Specify size)
Comforter Sets/Sheets-Size and
color/pattern
Dishes
Electric Razor
Fleece Throws
Gift box sets for Nails, cologne or bath  accessories
Gift Box Sets of Toiletries/Cologne
Hats/gloves/scarves
Hats- ball caps, knit
Jewelry / jewelry boxes
Pots/pans
Robe (Specify size)
Rugs (Specify size)
Sleep wear (Specify size)
Small Appliances – toaster, coffee pot,can opener
Socks
Sweaters/zippered jacket – Specify size

Throw pillows
Ties
Towels
Wallets/purses/wristlets
Watch
Gift Cards
Barnes & Noble
Bath & Body Works

Books-A-Million

Plantation Tour Planned

STRSEA is sponsoring a bus trip to the Houma's House Plantation and Gardens for members and their guests.  If you are interested, please see the poster below for information and respond to Roxanne Lagarde @lagarderoxanne@gmail.com with any questions.

Click here for the flyer in PDF format.

"Don't miss out on this fun event.  Get your tickets today!  

Spotlight on Lyn Monteleone

When we hear the word Magnolia, we often think of something beautiful, sweet and gentle.  How fitting that the next person to be in the Spotlight was born in a town called Magnolia!  Magnolia, Arkansas!

Yes, Lyn Monteleone comes to us in a roundabout way from that small town in Arkansas.  As the oldest of four girls, Lynda Ketteringham moved around quite a bit as a child.  Lyn’s father, an engineer in the oil field and then in the burgeoning space program, worked in numerous locations after leaving Magnolia.  

Lyn attended schools in Shreveport, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and finally in Slidell.  Here she asked her parents to please let her get to know her classmates and graduate with friends.  And they did!  Lyn is a proud graduate of Slidell High School, as were two of her sisters, Genie and Georgia.

After graduating from high school in 1966, Lyn attended Southeastern Louisiana College and lived in Cardinal Newman Hall.  In 1968, she wound up on a blind date with a guy from Covington and his buddy Bill Brady.  The blind date was Lennie Monteleone and the rest was history!  Lyn and Lennie were married in 1969.   

Together Lyn and Lennie raised two boys, Paul and Payton.  Paul lives in Zachary and works as an account manager for the State Department of Education Community and Technical Schools and has two girls, Maddie, 15, and Sarah, 4.  Payton is an assistant principal at Lee Road Jr High where his two children, Sophia, 11, and Luca, 8, attend school.  This makes it very convenient for Lyn to carry out some of her grandmother duties at a school close to home in Lee Road.

While Lyn’s first job was babysitting at age 12, she has held a variety of positions throughout her career.  After receiving a degree from Meadows Draughon Business College, Lyn worked at Slidell Memorial Hospital in Medical Records and as the administrative assistant to Johnny Bankston at the Agricultural Extension Service.  

Eventually, she began working for St. Tammany Parish School System as secretary to Richard Tanner, para-professional at Covington Elementary, and then secretary at Covington High School for 18 years!  After that, Sylvia Dunn needed her to help run Food Services, so she worked clerical in that department for six more years.

While Lyn is officially retired now, she is still working!  She tries to follow a schedule with Mondays dedicated to volunteering at Monteleone Junior High.  On Tuesdays, she works with the Student Assistance Team at Lee Road Junior High in the morning and does gardening there in the afternoon.  

Wednesdays are devoted to the Master Gardening organization.  She keeps Thursdays open for the St. Tammany Retiree School Employees Association where she is 1st Vice President-Membership, and on Fridays, she is often found substituting at Lee Road Jr High.  This does not sound like the schedule of a retired person!
  
However, Lyn has carved out some time to do a few things for fun.  She’s been on cruises to Alaska and Hawaii.  She went on a Disney Cruise with her family and even was able to take a trip to Paris!  She enjoys going to see the Christmas lights in Natchitoches. 

 And one of her favorite things to do was visit her grandmother’s family home on Tybee Island, Georgia.  Her beloved grandmother was a school principal and a college teacher, so it seems Lyn was destined to live in a family of educators.

Lyn spends her small amount of free time these days tending her chickens, gardening, visiting her sister in Slidell, and passing time with her old buddy Bill Brady and his wife Angela and friends Paula and Jim Fauntleroy.

When asked about her still busy schedule involved with the school system, Lyn replied, “I miss the family atmosphere.  How can you step away from something that you love?!?”      
We are so happy that you have not stepped away!  Lyn, please stand while we thank you for your many years of service to STPSB!

STRSEA To Honor Veterans

The next meeting of the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association will be held on Thursday, November 8, at 10 a.m. at the Treen Technology Center, 2024 Livingston Street, Mandeville. 

The Association invites all school system retirees to our November meeting and Health Fair on November 8 at the Treen Technology Center on Livingston Street in Mandeville. For more information, call 985-502-9501. We hope to see you there.

This meeting will include our annual Health Fair where you may choose to receive your flu shot and participate in demonstrations along with receiving information in regard to healthy living presentated by Humana.  

Social hour and the administration of flu shots will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at 10:00 a.m.  If you plan on participating, please bring a photocopy of your insurance card.  There is no charge for this preventative shot.  

Since this is also our last meeting before Thanksgiving, please bring a non-perishable item for the Samaritan center.

We will be selling tickets for a December 5th trip to Houma's House Plantation via a Hotard's motor coach.  The cost of the trip will be $45.00, which includes transportation and tour of the house.  Lunch will be Dutch Treat at The Cabin restaurant.  The sale will be limited to members and a guest with only 55 tickets being sold on first come, first sold basis.  Come and get your tickets while they last.  

The meeting will include our annual Health Fair where you may choose to receive your flu shot and participate in demonstrations along with receiving information in regard to healthy living presented by Humana. Social hour and the administration of flu shots will begin a 9:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at 10:00 a.m. Since this is also our last meeting before Thanksgiving, please bring a non-perishable item for the Samaritan Center.