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St. Joseph’s Academy dedicated the new Pillars Plaza, a green space located between Medaille Hall and the Activity Center, in a morning ceremony on October 5. The plaza celebrates and symbolizes the three pillars of the SJA mission statement: faith development, academic excellence and personal growth.

SJA President Jan Breen welcomed the guests in attendance, including Sisters Adele Lambert, Anna Schellhaas, Annie Ramagos, Cynthia Sabathier, Dianne Fanguy, Evelyn Mee, Frances Landry, Joan Laplace, Julie Kraemer, Kathleen Babin, Lucy Silvio and Adelaide Williamson. She led the gathering in prayer. 

Breen said the exemplary work of the Academy has been guided over the years by its mission statement. She introduced Principal Stacia Andricain, who explained how the three areas of the plaza symbolize the pillars of the mission statement. 

The St. Joseph’s Academy Labyrinth symbolizes faith development. Located in the center of the plaza, the labyrinth is a walking meditation, a physical expression of the interior journey towards Christ. “This spiritual tool reminds us of the forgiveness and redemption found in Jesus and symbolizes our walk with and towards God,” Andricain said, adding that the labyrinth is dedicated to Sister Adele Lambert, who served as the Academy’s first president from 2004 to 2012. 

Symbolizing academic excellence, the Coastal Roots Native Plant Nursery traces its beginnings to 1999, when teacher Linda Messina was looking for a real-world, data-based activity for her science students. That led to SJA serving as the pilot for the LSU Coastal Roots program, in which students grow native seedlings and grass plugs to plant in a coastal restoration project each year. Today, the Science Club continues to participate in the program, helping restore coastal environments impacted by hurricanes.

Personal growth is symbolized by the SJA Butterfly Garden. The butterfly has become a symbol that signifies change and represents the diversity of people on the autism spectrum. It also symbolizes the full lives of members of the autistic community. “After being diagnosed with autism, Margaux Mayeux, class of 2023, became a driving force behind SJA’s first Autism Awareness Day,” Andricain said. “The SJA Butterfly Garden commemorates our ongoing commitment to celebrating the spirit and abilities of neurodivergent people.”  

Senior Audrey Rothkamm read from the Gospel according to Matthew. Father Mathew Dunn, SJA’s chaplain and pastor of Christ the King, blessed and dedicated Pillars Plaza.

“We celebrate the students’ journey towards God, their search for truth and development of their person and gifts,” Fr. Matt said. “Pillars Plaza celebrates this growth and celebrates the seeds of faith sown and grown into the mighty tree of SJA that nourishes all who take rest under her branches. Those seeds sown by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and by the many faculty and staff, continue to flourish in our graduates. As so we bless and dedicate these pillars to acknowledge that love has grown here and will continue to grow for years to come.” 

Breen invited Mayeux to come forward to release a butterfly, then asked student representatives to join her in the symbolic release. Following the singing of the alma mater, led by sophomore Sophie Stelly, Patricia Brignac Talbot ’84 took the ceremonial first walk of the SJA Labyrinth. Talbot is the niece of Sister Adele Lambert. 

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director

Photos by Jennifer M. Fontaine