Support Employees of the Year announced at annual Employees of Distinction Banquet

Ouachita Parish School System is pleased to announce the 2025-26 Support Employees of the Year for the district.

The awards were announced at the Employees of Distinction Banquet on Tuesday evening at the West Monroe Convention Center. Each school was represented with its Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year in attendance, along with its administrators and supporters.

In Elementary School, the Support Employee of the Year is Mrs. Polly Norris, the cafeteria manager for George Welch Elementary School.

Her administration describes her as more than a Cafeteria Manager at George Welch. She is “a leader who has changed the culture of our cafeteria.” Under her guidance, the staff smiles and shines, all while demonstrating their gifts and cooking with love. Polly finds gifts in everyone she meets—after giving them the biggest hug. Her contagious, positive energy can turn anyone’s day around. Her acts of kindness and service throughout the school are always noticed and go well beyond her assigned duties.

Outside of school, Polly stays busy taking care of her parents, visiting with grandchildren and loving on her big family, cheering on West Ouachita Chiefs, serving at her church in worship and women’s retreats, organizing for and serving food to the homeless on the weekends, and making everyone who sits in her hair stylist chair look and feel amazing.

Finalists for Elementary Support Employee of the Year were Josh Corrigan (Sterlington paraprofessional), Alyssa Nieves (Claiborne paraprofessional), Glen Smith (Woodlawn bus driver), and Janiyah Williams (Swayze paraprofessional).

West Ridge paraprofessional Stephanie Carey was named the Support Employee of the Year on the middle school level.

Ms. Carey’s principal describes her as “extremely deserving and encompassing what it means to be a West Ridge Patriot.” Stephanie goes above and beyond her duties as a paraprofessional. Her TOP priority is providing the tools and resources for her Special Education students to be successful in their academic environments. While in inclusion classes, she offers a lending hand to any and all students who need it. She adapts to any changes and does so with a smile on her face which helps encourage everyone else. She brings an innate, positive attitude and spirit with her wherever she goes, and whatever she does on campus, whether that be her “normal” para duties, covering classes as needed, helping children with various needs, or anything administration may need. She collaborates with and supports her fellow colleagues each day.

Finalists for Middle School Support Person of the Year were Myleigh Hopkins (Richwood Middle paraprofessional), and Zack Howse (Sterlington Middle paraprofessional).

Richwood High School Secretary Cassandra Davis was chosen as the Support Employee of the Year for Ouachita Parish on the high school level.

Principal Alvin Fields describes Cassandra as “a true professional and her work ethic displays that.” She wants to ensure that she does everything properly and in order, and she double checks to verify that things were done correctly. Cassandra’s infectious professional personality permeates the front office. She is a steady hand and always remains calm even during tense situations. Parents and students alike agree that even though she might not give them the news they wish to hear, she has never been disrespectful or short with them. Ms. Cassandra Davis uses her professionalism as her superpower and can handle any task assigned to her. She is one of a kind and leads with a professional example that we should all emulate.

Support Persons of the Year were nominated by their principals and voted on by their peers at the school level. They also went through an interview process before a panel of judges made up of school district and community leaders, as well as last year’s Support Person of the Year on their school level.

SUPPORT EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR:

Elementary: Polly Norris, George Welch Elementary Cafeteria Manager

FINALISTS: Josh Corrigan (Sterlington paraprofessional), Alyssa Nieves (Claiborne paraprofessional), Glen Smith (Woodlawn bus driver), Janiyah Williams (Swayze paraprofessional)

Middle School: Stephanie Carey, West Ridge Middle Paraprofessional

FINALISTS: Myleigh Hopkins (Richwood Middle paraprofessional), Zack Howse (Sterlington Middle paraprofessional).

High School: Cassandra Davis, Richwood High Secretary

SUPPORT EMPLOYEES BY SCHOOL:

Boley Elementary: Lee Brown, Building Supervisor

Calhoun Elementary: Amanda Nugent, Paraprofessional

Calhoun Middle: Hilary Standard, Secretary

Central Elementary: Lori Daniels, Paraprofessional

Claiborne Elementary: Alyssa Nieves, Paraprofessional

Crosley Elementary: Lauren Gilcrease, Paraprofessional

Drew Elementary: Stephanie Parks, Custodian

East Ouachita Middle: Darlinda Kelly, Cafeteria Manager

George Welch Elementary: Polly Norris, Cafeteria Manager

Good Hope Middle: Steve Barbara, Bus Driver

Highland Elementary: Sarah Pepper, Paraprofessional

Jack Hayes Elementary: Donameche Blunt, Bus Driver

Kiroli Elementary: Brenda Byrd, Cafeteria Manager

Lakeshore Elementary: Kristy Bayless, Paraprofessional

Lenwil Elementary: Brenda Dick, Cafeteria Manager

Ouachita Junior High: Ushavior Bonner, Building Supervisor

Ouachita Parish High: Rhonda Stites, Secretary

Pinecrest: Christi Cannady, Custodian

Richwood High: Cassandra Davis, Secretary

Richwood Middle: Myleigh Hopkins, Paraprofessional

Riser Elementary:  Brandon Crawford, Building Supervisor

Riser Middle: Judy Robinson, Custodian

Riverbend Elementary: Angelia Grant, Paraprofessional

Robinson Elementary: Zynequa Drew, Paraprofessional

Shady Grove Elementary: McQuiella Choice, Building Supervisor

Sterlington Elementary: Josh Corrigan, Paraprofessional

Sterlington High: Connie Kosik, Secretary

Sterlington Middle: Zack Howse, Paraprofessional

Swartz Lower Elementary: Emily Murphy, Paraprofessional

Swartz Upper Elementary: Yvette Dunn, Cafeteria Manager

Swayze Elementary: Janiyah Williams, Paraprofessional

West Monroe High: Miranda Blazier, Bookkeeper

West Ouachita High: Rob Roberts, Building Supervisor

West Ridge Middle: Stephanie Carey, Paraprofessional

Woodlawn Elementary: Glen Smith, Bus Driver

Woodlawn Junior High: Morgan Thomas, Paraprofessional