ALGIERS • GRETNA • TERRYTOWN • HARVEY • WESTWEGO • WAGGAMAN • MARRERO • BRIDGE CITY • AVONDALE
WEST BANK
N O L A.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, s e p t e m b e r 25, 2024
1Gn
MILITARY SIGN-UP PROVIDED PHOTO
Chalmette High School Principal Wayne Warner is interviewed for ‘The Warner Way.’
‘You know who he is’
State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley speaks to high school and college students who will soon join the armed forces.
Film looks at Chalmette principal and community icon Wayne Warner
BY KIMBERLEY SINGLETARY Contributing writer
He’s been called “the Mr. Rogers of Chalmette,” but Wayne Warner’s impact on area youth has been felt for much longer, and in a much more direct way, than any TV personality. For more than 50 years, Warner has served as principal of Chalmette High School, an incredible feat that earns him the title of the longest-serving principal in America, and one that is being recognized in a new documentary called “The Warner Way.” It will debut across Louisiana on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on WLAE-TV. Jim Dotson, an executive producer for the documentary, shared that it took about a year-and-a-half to complete, but one of the hardest parts was just getting started. “I’ve never met a person as humble as Wayne,” he said. “When we first approached him about the idea, he refused. He kept insisting that there was no story. Eventually, however — along with help from the Meraux Foundation, which sponsored the film — we were finally able to convince him.”
Louisiana students who have committed to serving in the U.S. military took the oath of enlistment at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans on Sept. 17, which was Constitution Day. The event was part of Celebrate Freedom Week, and it marked the commitment of high school and college students to the armed forces. The ceremony was held in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education.
Decades of memories The documentary includes interviews with students, teachers and alumni who share their thoughts and memories of Warner. Beryl Hargis, secretary for the Chalmette High School Alumni Association, said the group has been hard at work spreading the news about the film. “When I graduated in 1966, Warner had just started teaching at Chalmette High,” she said. “When he became principal in the 1970s, my brothers were there, and he was my son’s principal in the 1980s, when I also worked at the school. But even if you never went to Chalmette High or had kids there, you know who he is.” Hargis said Warner is widely recognized as a pillar of the Chalmette community and, maybe even more impressive, continues to command the respect of his students. “When my kids were in school, I remember when they’d have events in the gymnasium and the assistant principals would come in and struggle to quiet everybody. But all Wayne Warner ever had to do was walk out and everyone would settle down. He had, and still has, that kind of presence.”
St. Bernard and beyond Although it’s bound to be a hit in Chalmette, Dotson said the film was created to also have a wider appeal. “Our approach all along is that this guy has been a high school principal for 50 years, so just think of what that means,” he said. “He was leading a high school through all these major events, the Vietnam War, Nixon’s resignation, civil rights issues. Think of how much things have changed in education, in who students are and how they behave.” “Wayne is the thread that pulls it all together,” added
ä See WARNER, page 2G
Fall pet patrol
Some tips on keeping your fur baby healthy and summer without an ear It’s hard to believe that fall is infection, and I hope we can suralready upon us. These cooler, less-humid days are the perfect vive the fall allergy season, too. time to enjoy the outdoors with If the family canine suffers pets. from seasonal allergies, get Fall also comes with a round of ahead of things now before they Traci precautions. Here are some seareally kick in. Howerton CHANGING COATS: Pets’ coats sonal reminders for pets: change with the seasons. Expect ALLERGIES RETURN: Seasonal allerANIMAL RESCUE more than usual shedding as gies are miserable for pets and they lose their summer coats some people. My dog, Romeo, to make way for winter coats to come has already visited the vet to get his in. Frequent brushing, a lint brush and allergy shot ahead of his annual fall scratching, paw licking and ear infecä See PET, page 2G tions. We made it through both spring
SAVE
2
5
to
When You Buy 2
When You Buy 2
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Fall has its ups and downs for pet owners, but for pets themselves, the arrival of tasty pumpkins is a positive.
SAVE up
SAVE $ 98 2
$ 98
SAVE
STAFF PHOTOS BY BRETT DUKE
An army representative administers the enlistment oath.
8
$ 98
When You Buy 2
$ 00 LB
— ONLY — USDA PRIME BEEF
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak
6
$ 97 LBLB
5 LB BAG
— ONLY —
Rouses Russet Potatoes
5
2/$ LIMIT 2
15.25 OZ BAG
PARTY SIZE
Lay’s, Tostitos, Doritos or Cheetos
— ONLY —
9
2/$
12 PACK 12 OZ
Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or Mountain Dew
visit rouses.com for more weekly ad specials!
— ONLY —
10
2/$
Prices good at all New Orleans, Gretna, Kenner, Metairie, Marrero, Slidell, Mandeville and Covington stores September 25th - October 2nd, 2024.