Ryan Smith Award

Local members of the Knights of Columbus came to the aid of the Diocese of Shreveport on September 14th after a request for assistance was sent by the Chancellor of the Diocese. Mike Rose, State Faith Director put together a team from several of the councils including Marian #3779, Santo Nino #16094, Christ the King #16355, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans #10728, Bossier #4873 and Broadmoor #3407; that responded in force to assist in cleaning up a donated piece of property just off of the intersection of Mansfield Road and Highway 3132. Between 20 and 30 brother Knights and staff members of the Catholic Center facilities department reported to clean up an area which had previously been used over many years as a homeless refuge and dump site. Many Knights brought family members to help the cause and assist in the clean-up.

A large commercial dumpster was over filled with furniture, clothing, office equipment, make shift tents and beds, an abandoned fire place and all types of assorted trash. The Diocese rented a “bobcat” earth moving machine and the Knights of Columbus brought in a front end loader to move the big stuff around. With all of the effort put out by those in attendance, the job was completed in less than 3 hours.

The Diocese of Shreveport would like to thank all of those who took part in the clean-up, namely the Knights of Columbus and their family members and the facilities staff of the Diocese of Shreveport.

This is a list of the knights and family members that came to the aid of the diocese that we wish to personally than: Mike Rose, Richard Gust, Tom and Marilyn McKissick, John Selloriquez, Patrick McKinnon, Steve Piraino, Madeleine Wasik, Richard Guzman, Israel Belvites, Oscar Gomez, Ignacio Gomez, PGK Rey A. Pangatungan, Ronald Pradez, Lad Cazedessus, Steve Cadwell, Joe Sepulvado; facility staff members: Ed Hydro, Tyrone McMiller and Dell Harris and Randy Tiller, Chancellor. Job Well Done! By Randy G. Tiller

Each year an award is presented to a teacher of Loyola College Prep and St. John Berchmans School; and an employee at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. The award is given to those who have shown to be an outstanding teacher or an extraordinary employee.

This year, Stewart Maxie won the award for teaching an Introduction to Engineering for the first time in school history at Loyola College Prep. The award has deeper meaning for Mr. Maxie as he was Ryan’s football coach and instructor throughout his years at Loyola. Catherine Mackey won at St. John Berchmans school. Finally, Pam Schaughnessy is the recipent for the Cathedral employee award.

Ryan William Smith was born in 1985 at Schumpert Hospital, one block away from LCP and SJS. Ryan attended preschool at SJS and continued his Catholic education all the way through 12th grade at LCP. He spent his entire childhood and teen years on that city block. He went on to LSU in Baton Rouge and received a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering. He moved back to Shreveport, got married and entered an MBA program at LSUS. Then in 2012, Ryan was diagnosed with a type of cancer not many people have heard of. He fought the battle at MD Anderson in Houston and contributed his own genetic materials for scientific research to help find a cure. In June 2014, Ryan passed away. Ryan Smith Award By Robin Smith