"Now and Always" presented to the Principal of Joseph B. Lancaster Elementary School, Susannah Welch

While in Covington the week of February 6, I presented a copy of "Now and Always: A Louisiana Love Story" to the principal of Joseph B. Lancaster Elementary School, Susannah Welch. Earlier that week, while both of us were interviewed by Jim Derry of The Times-Picayune, Mrs. Welch said that before applying for the position she researched the life of Joseph B. Lancaster. What she found about him, especially his positions on education and his early, crucial leadership of public education in St. Tammany Parish, inspired her to apply for the job. Mrs. Welch said it was important to her, as a member of a family with deep roots in St. Tammany, that the principal of Lancaster Elementary share that heritage with Joseph B. Lancaster.

Pictured after the presentation at the February 9 meeting of the St. Tammany Parish School Board are (left to right): Linda P. Garcia, Peter J. Garcia, Edith Garcia Eason, Liz Garcia Smith, Principal Susannah Welch, Christian P. Garcia, St. Tammany Parish Supervisor Margaret Sharpe, Melie Garcia Freret, Yvonne Garcia Crawford, and John D. Crawford.