Tara Nolan Messenger, Class of 1970

Following her graduation from St. Joseph’s Academy, Tara Nolan Messenger entered Louisiana State University. Having what she admits was “too much fun,” Messenger found herself on academic suspension. Fifteen years and two children later, she returned to LSU full time, earning a bachelor’s and then master’s degree in five years.

With two years of post-graduate work and supervision, she successfully tested for her license, becoming a licensed clinical social worker in 1988.

Messenger began her career with Volunteers of America, serving as director of the $2 million program for persons with developmental disabilities. Following her retirement from VOA, she worked as a medical social worker in the home-health field, then with mentally ill adolescents and adults. She is now employed at a partial hospital program, serving individuals who are discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. She also teaches a graduate-level course at LSU.

Messenger has been married for 34 years to husband Terry, a supervisor at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge refinery. They have three children: Taylor, 31; Tammy, 30; and Christy, 20. Taylor is married to the former Caroline Pittman, and they are the proud parents of daughter Kelly Taylor.

Daughter Tammy was born with a rare and debilitating disorder called Aycardi Syndrome. She is severely mentally retarded and requires total care. Tammy was expected to live five years. Thirty years later, thanks to the love and care of her family, Tammy continues to exceed all medical expectations.

When Taylor and Tammy were teenagers, the Messengers adopted Christy, who was 4 years old. With her 2006 graduation from SJA, Christy became a proud, third-generation alumna. Messenger’s mother, Faye Marcello, is a member of the class of 1947, and her sister, Michelle LeBlanc, is a 1982 Academy graduate.

In addition to her busy work schedule and responsibilities at home, Messenger is a tireless volunteer. Numerous community organizations have benefitted from her time and talents, including the Cancer Society of Baton Rouge, March of Dimes, Association of Retarded Citizens, St. Vincent de Paul and the Stop Rape Crisis Center. She has served on the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and was the consumer representative to the National Developmental Disabilities Council. She has testified in the state legislature and on Capitol Hill on behalf of persons with disabilities.

Because of Tammy’s special needs, Messenger joined other parents in grass-roots efforts to offer in-home rather than institutional services to those with disabilities. Those efforts were eventually passed into law. Messenger received a $50,000 grant and produced a video used to promote the program across the state.

In her church parish of St. Thomas More, Messenger has served as an extraordinary minister, a member of the Parish Council, a Bible study leader and member of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference. She and Terry currently serve the Diocese of Baton Rouge as coordinators of the Retrouvaille Ministry.

SJA has also benefitted from her volunteer efforts. She participated on reunion committees, with phone-a-thons and pledge drives, becoming even more active during Christy’s Academy years. Then, she served as secretary of the SJA Mothers’ Club for two years, chairperson of the Serve Together Retreat for two years and on the Halloween Carnival Committee. She chaperoned dances and served in the cafeteria and as a substitute teacher.

“It was at SJA that the basis for my love of social work began,” Messenger said. “I admired the dedication of the Sisters and lay teachers and watched as they incorporated their Christian principles and beliefs into daily action. In addition to the academic education, religious training and moral standards that were taught at SJA, I also learned a lot about people and personalities. You can’t go to school with 100 girls and not learn patience, forgiveness and understanding, all traits that make for a good social worker.”

Messenger counts among her closest friends her SJA classmates, including the so-called ’70s YaYas, who gather for birthdays and other special events.

Messenger said Matthew chapter 26 best summarizes her life’s philosophy: Whatever you do for the least of thy neighbor; that you do unto me.

“I learned the importance of service to others in those formative years at St. Joseph’s Academy,” she said, “and I have made it my life’s work, as well as a daily effort, to serve Christ by doing so.”

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