[StBernard] Chalmette's Warner wins Henry Award

[Westley Annis]

Advocate news services 
Published: Dec 5, 2007 

NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana High School Athletic Association, The Louisiana
Sports Writers Association and SMG, the management company of the Louisiana
Superdome, announced on Tuesday that the 2007 Tommy Henry Courage Award will
be presented to Wayne Warner, an administrator at Chalmette High School.

Warner will be recognized this weekend at the LHSAA State Farm Prep Classic
in the Louisiana Superdome.

Warner was chosen as a result of his heroics during Hurricane Katrina.

With the storm bearing down on the Gulf Coast, he chose not to evacuate and
opened the school for families and residents of St. Bernard seeking shelter.

Warner waded through chest- deep water in the halls to move people to safety
and to further secure the building. His actions saved untold lives and had
an impact on the entire community.

Warner's leadership was also integral to rebuilding the school. Chalmette
High School has become the focal point of unity for the entire parish,
providing the impetus for people to return to their neighborhoods and
lifestyle.

As stated in the nomination, Warner "is a true leader who cares so deeply
about people, his school and now about the quality of life in St. Bernard
Parish."

The award is named in honor of Tommy Henry, long time commissioner of the
LHSAA, who retired last year. During his tenure, Henry developed the Prep
Classic, which showcases all five LHSAA football championship games, into
one of the premiere annual high school events in the nation. Henry received
the first award at last year's Prep Classic.