LMR_November
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A Word from<br />
Our Affiliates<br />
conveyed her<br />
experiences on a<br />
recent international<br />
mission trip.<br />
On Friday morning<br />
the conference began<br />
with our Mayor’s<br />
Panel. Members heard<br />
from Mayor Darnell<br />
Waites of Baker, Mayor<br />
Richard Lee of Port<br />
Allen, Mayor David<br />
Toups of Addis, Mayor<br />
Jimmy Watson of<br />
Walker and, standing President Myra Streeter presents<br />
in for Mayor-President Merlyna Valentine with a token of<br />
appreciation for her dynamic message.<br />
Sharon Weston<br />
Broome, was the CAO<br />
of East Baton Rouge Parish, Mr. Darryl Gissel. After a<br />
short break, LAMSA participants were truly inspired by<br />
the extraordinary life story of Mrs. Merlyna Valentine,<br />
who has been an educator for the past 30 years and has<br />
now dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives<br />
of others. She had been honored as Teacher of the Year,<br />
Principal of the Year and Louisiana Regional Principal<br />
of the Year, but on August 17, 2007, Ms. Valentine was<br />
faced with a medical tragedy that has changed her<br />
life forever. She survived and lives life now as a quad<br />
amputee. Merlyna has embraced this tragedy with an<br />
extremely positive attitude. She truly believes that this<br />
tragedy has allowed her to serve as an inspiration to<br />
all to never give up. She has found strength in knowing<br />
that ultimately her tragic story can motivate people to<br />
embrace change and live life to the fullest. In honor of<br />
her story of survival, courage, and hope, Ms. Valentine<br />
was featured in a segment on the Today Show and in an<br />
article in Ebony Magazine. We were blessed to have her<br />
with us, motivating everyone with such a strong message<br />
of encouragement.<br />
After dispensing with hospitality gifts, a scholarship<br />
drawing, evaluation forms and attendance certificates,<br />
President Streeter closed out the conference by<br />
reminding everyone that we would meet again in the<br />
spring in Lafayette.<br />
LAMSA’s mission is to provide a forum where networking<br />
can take place, to enhance professionalism, and to<br />
be an educational resource for its members. Since<br />
1989, LAMSA has offered its members scholarships,<br />
certification programs, and educational opportunities<br />
through their annual spring and fall training conferences<br />
throughout Louisiana. For more information, call<br />
Marlaine Peachey at 985-630-1798.<br />
<strong>LMR</strong> | <strong>November</strong> 2018 Page 13
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