[StBernard] Man and Woman of the Year

[Westley Annis]

ST. BERNARD BPW CLUB ANNOUNCES MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR FOR 2007- BERTUCCI AND BOUDREAUX TO BE HONORED AT ANNUAL BANQUET

 

Forty-six years of honoring outstanding leaders in St. Bernard Parish will continue on Sunday, October 14, 2007 when the St. Bernard Business and Professional Women’s Club hosts its annual Man and Woman of Year Banquet.  This year’s event will be held at Riverbend Bistro in Arabi and honor Dr. Bryan J. Bertucci of Chalmette and Polly Campbell Boudreaux of Meraux. The Man and Woman of the Year banquet is traditionally the highlight of the local organization’s celebration of National Business Women’s Week. 

 

A pre-luncheon social will begin at 11 a.m. with a cash bar.  The luncheon program begins at noon and is a ticketed event in the private dining room. Tickets are $40 per person and must be purchased in advance. “Due to the limited capacity of the restaurant, we ask that those interested in attending the luncheon contact Lauren Gibson, co-chair, at 504-715-7525 to ensure tickets are available,” says club president and chair of the event, Deborah Keller. “No tickets will be sold at the door as we anticipate as sell-out.”

 

            Prior to Hurricane Katrina the event had grown to over 200 people which only the parish civic center could accommodate.  “Our members feel very strongly that this event must be held in St. Bernard Parish, even if it means limited seating, because it makes a statement about our belief in our community,” said Keller. 

 

            Man of the Year, Dr. Bryan Bertucci, is familiar to many as the parish coroner and a dedicated family physician. He was graduated from Jesuit High School and received a B.S. degree in Biology from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama as well as a B.S. degree from the University of Alabama in the Physician’s Assistant Program. He then obtained his medical degree from Louisiana State University.  Dr. Bertucci is an active member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church and the St. Bernard Chapter of the American Red Cross.  He and his wife of 30 years, Ruth, have four sons and one daughter, two grandchildren and anticipating a third. 

 

            Dr. Bertucci remained at Chalmette Medical Center during Hurricane Katrina and worked continuously for weeks afterwards giving medical attention to the overwhelming number of victims of the storm.  For his courage, conviction, dedication, and leadership  to the community after the storm, as well as his lifetime of service to the community, the members of the BPW Club wished to honor this unsung hero.

 

            Equally dedicated in her commitment to the people of St. Bernard Parish is the member’s Woman of the Year honoree, Polly Campbell Boudreaux.  A single mother of Sophie, 13, and Alex, 10, Boudreaux holds Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in French and Biology from Louisiana College in Pineville. She later obtained her Masters degree from the University of New Orleans in Educational Administration.  

 

            Boudreaux began her career as a high school French and Biology teacher in the St. Bernard Parish School System.  After 14 years, she became middle school curriculum coordinator for social studies, science, and physical education, a position best described as teaching teachers.  In addition, she coached girls’ high school volleyball for eight years.  After a 20 year career in education, Boudreaux embarked a new career path as Clerk of Council for the St. Bernard Parish Council, where she served from 2003 thru 2007.  What was a “normal” job prior to Hurricane Katrina suddenly became a monumental effort for the past two years.  As the liaison between the parish president and his administrative staff and the parish council, Boudreaux was responsible for coordinating all the council meetings and managing all council records. 

 

            In addition to recognizing her years of service in the field of education, the BPW members are honoring Boudreaux for her volunteer activities that make the parish a family oriented community. She was instrumental organizing the effort to raise funds and find volunteers to build the children’s playground at Torres Park and to sustain its upkeep with the unique “Black Tie and White Boots” fundraiser.  Holiday events that she has spearheaded include the parish Christmas Parade, the 4th of July “St. Bernard Salutes America” celebration, and most recently “Trick or Trunk” event held the weekend before Halloween so that children can Trick or Treat for candy in a safe environment since the storm has ravaged so many neighborhoods.