PUBLISHED ON May 21, 2026
Archbishop Chapelle High School is proud to share a recent feature from Arete Scholars highlighting the extraordinary career and upcoming retirement of our longtime Financial Director, Michelle Lambert.
For 38 years, Michelle has faithfully stewarded the financial health of our school while walking closely with generations of families. Her work has never been simply about numbers; it has been about people. Through her guidance of families receiving Arete scholarships, Michelle ensured that the process was not just accessible, but compassionate and dignified. She was known for taking the extra step, personally guiding families through applications and offering steady support every step of the way.
Her leadership behind the scenes has helped make visible growth possible on our campus. From expanded programs and increasing enrollment to new facilities and continued mission-driven excellence, Michelle’s careful stewardship has played a vital role in Chapelle’s progress over nearly four decades. In 2024, she and her husband were honored with the Deus Providebit Award, recognizing their outstanding commitment and service to our school community.
As Michelle prepares to retire at the end of this school year, we are deeply grateful for her loyalty, fairness, integrity, and compassion. Her legacy will continue through the systems she built, the relationships she nurtured, and the countless students whose dreams were made possible through her dedication.
We invite our Chapelle community to read the full Arete Scholars feature and join us in celebrating Michelle’s remarkable impact and the path forward for Archbishop Chapelle High School.
Recommended Posts

Chapelle Shines at District & State Literary Rally 2026 This spring, Chapelle students proudly represented our school at the District Literary Rally at SLU on March 14, 2026, and the State Literary Rally at LSU on April 18, 2026. From English and World Languages to Fine Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, our Chipmunks demonstrated exceptional academic talent, dedication, and perseverance. We are incredibly proud of each student who competed and represented Chapelle with excellence. District Literary Rally – SLU March 14, 2026 District Qualifiers Leila Abbate – Journalism I Rosemarie Cardella – Family & Consumer Science Ellie Concepcion – English I Audrey Dubuc – Health Isabella Holt – English IV Jordan Legaux – Art (Two-Dimensional: Oil, Acrylic, or Water Medium) Anna Poche – Chemistry Olivia Wurster – Advanced Math (Functions & Statistics) District Qualifiers & SLU Scholarship Winners Christina Pierce – Art (Two-Dimensional: Oil, Acrylic, or Water Medium) Lucy Guillot – Art (Two-Dimensional Black & White: Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Digital Art) Emily Ledet – Spelling District & State Qualifiers Keira Bachemin – French II Brianna Borne – Advanced Math (Pre-Calculus) Gia Chester – Psychology Ashley Garcia-Morera – Sociology Caroline Hill – Chemistry Kristin Munch – Algebra II Kayla Palacio – Government Si’lah-Michele Payre – Spanish I Emma Rogers – Calculus II Lily-Grace Theriot – World Geography Aasha Varkey – English IV Alina Varkey – Biology Yara Zeitoun – World History District Qualifiers, State Qualifiers & SLU Scholarship Winners Kathleen Elmer – Geometry Egan Guidroz – Journalism I Amelia Hassel – French I Abby Hebbler – Advanced Math (Functions & Statistics) Kate Marks – Financial Literacy Elise Nelson – English I Mallory Pansano – English II Molly Saia – Nutrition & Food Addison Terrio – Health Emily A. Wilson – Family & Consumer Science State Literary Rally – LSU April 18, 2026 State Award Winners Lauren Rieth – Latin II – 🥇 1st Place Egan Guidroz – Journalism – 🥈 2nd Place Kate Marks – Financial Literacy – 🥈 2nd Place Addison Terrio – Health – 🥈 2nd Place Kathleen Elmer – Geometry – 🥉 3rd Place Ashley Garcia-Morera – Sociology – 🥉 3rd Place Peyton Klotz – Treble Solo Low Voice – Superior Rating Margaux Mouton – Treble Solo High Voice – Superior Rating Valentina Martinez-Flores – Spanish II Extemporaneous Speaking – Superior Rating Lia Reinecke – Treble Solo High Voice – Superior Rating Jazmin Interiano – Spanish II Extemporaneous Speaking – Excellent Rating Xenia Trejo – Treble Solo Low Voice – Excellent Rating State Finalists We are also proud of the following students who advanced to State Rally and represented Chapelle with dedication and excellence: Keira Bachemin Brianna Borne Gia Chester Eden Flowers Amelia Hassel Abby Hebbler Caroline Hill Emily Karcher Jenny Mains Gabriela Mejia-Aguilar Kristin Munch Elise Nelson Kayla Palacio Mallory Pansano Si’lah-Michele Payre Emma Rogers Molly Saia Caroline Sander Lily-Grace Theriot Sarah Turnipseed Aasha Varkey Alina Varkey Yara Zeitoun In total, 49 Chapelle students represented our school at District and/or State Literary Rally this year. Their commitment to academic excellence reflects the heart of Chapelle’s mission. We are incredibly proud of each of these students for their hard work and dedication.

Chapelle Students Attend LASC 2026 From May 31 – June 4, six Chapelle student leaders traveled to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana to attend the Louisiana Association of Student Councils (LASC) Workshop. They returned inspired, energized, and ready to lead. This year’s theme, “Sow, Grow, Lead,” centered around farming as a metaphor for leadership. Throughout the week, students focused on planting seeds of purpose, nurturing their individual strengths, and growing into impactful leaders for their school communities. Representing Chapelle at LASC 2026 were: Audrey Dubuc, 12th grade Victoria McCann, 12th grade AnnaClaire Occhipinti, 11th grade Lauren Delagardelle, 11th grade Sloan Boudoin, 11th grade Kasey Orlando, 10th grade During the week, our Chipmunks participated in interactive workshops, team-building activities, and leadership sessions designed to strengthen communication, collaboration, and service. Between fun games, meaningful discussions, and shared experiences with students from across Louisiana, lifelong friendships were formed. Sloan Boudoin, Student Council Executive Board Historian, shared one of her biggest takeaways from the week: “What I took away most was the positive environment and how seen and heard it made me feel. It was so eye-opening and refreshing to be in a place so supportive and welcoming. The inclusivity and love at LASC is truly like no other.” The environment at LASC encouraged authenticity, confidence, and servant leadership, which are values that align beautifully with Chapelle’s mission. Our six delegates are already planning how to “sow” what they learned into the Chapelle community this upcoming school year. With the multitude of lessons and leadership skills they gained, they are ready to help our campus continue to grow in spirit, unity, and purpose. We are so proud of these young women for investing in their leadership journeys and representing Chapelle so well. The seeds have been planted, and we cannot wait to see how they grow.

Presenting Our Gift to the Gayle & Tom Benson Cancer Center 💗💚 In April, Mrs. Benson personally invited our students to the Gayle & Tom Benson Cancer Center to present our Pink Month earnings to their leadership team. Walking into the Cancer Center with Mrs. Benson was a powerful experience for our students. It was more than just delivering a check. It was an opportunity to represent the heart of the Chapelle community and to see firsthand the impact of their efforts. Sharing that moment with the leadership team made the months of preparation and fundraising even more meaningful. Throughout Pink Month, our students worked tirelessly to raise funds in creative and spirited ways. They sold pink socks, the official Pink Month t-shirt, donuts, and pink lemonade, along with organizing other campus initiatives to support the cause. They also took time to write heartfelt notes and prayers of healing to oncology patients — messages that Mrs. Benson and her team truly loved and appreciated. Being able to stand together and formally present our donation was a beautiful reminder that small acts of generosity can come together to create something powerful. It was a proud day for our students and a reflection of Chapelle’s commitment to faith, compassion, and service. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support the patients and programs at the Gayle & Tom Benson Cancer Center and proud of our Chipmunks for living out our mission in such a meaningful way.

Summer Soirée 💚🍷🎻 We had the joy of celebrating our New Parents at our annual Summer Soirée at The Crossing, officially welcoming them into the Chapelle Family! 💚 The evening was filled with warm conversations, laughter, and the excitement of a new chapter beginning. It was the perfect opportunity for Chapelle’s Administration to personally meet our newest families and for parents to begin forming connections with the families of their daughters’ future classmates. Events like the Summer Soirée are a special reminder that Chapelle is more than a school — it is a community rooted in faith, friendship, and support. Watching new relationships begin to grow is always one of our favorite parts of the summer. We are so grateful to all who joined us and helped make the evening so meaningful. We hope our newest Chipmunk families are enjoying a wonderful summer, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone to campus in August!

Founder & President, Special Olympics College Club at UL Lafayette Chapelle is proud to spotlight Marissa Rinderle ’24, who is already making an incredible impact during her time at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Marissa is the Founder and President of the Special Olympics College Club at UL Lafayette, a student-run organization dedicated to creating meaningful connections between college students and individuals with disabilities through athletics and campus events. “I actually founded the club after Special Olympics Louisiana reached out to me in hopes of expanding the college club program,” Marissa shared. “Rachel Meariman ’23 and I collaborated to get it all started!” The Special Olympics College Club at UL provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to connect with college students through various athletic events. The mission is simple yet powerful: to promote inclusion on the UL campus through sports, friendship, and the celebration of all abilities. Marissa’s passion for inclusion is deeply rooted in her involvement with the UL LIFE Program, which is designed to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience college life while furthering their education and life skills. “The LIFE Program has encouraged and prepared me to begin Special Olympics UL,” she said. In addition to leading the Special Olympics College Club, Marissa also serves as Vice President of the Kinesiology Professional Association, demonstrating her continued commitment to leadership and service. At Chapelle, Marissa served as a Student Ambassador, a role she credits with helping her grow as a communicator and leader. “Being an ambassador enhanced my communication and leadership skills, preparing me for the various roles I now have in college,” she shared. Marissa exemplifies the Chapelle mission by leading with compassion, courage, and a heart for service. We are so proud of the difference she is making and can’t wait to see how she continues to inspire inclusion and build community. Congratulations, Marissa! Your Chapelle family is cheering you on!

Celebrating Excellence at the Spring Athletic Awards 💚🌸 Chapelle Athletics proudly honored our spring student-athletes at this year’s Spring Athletic Awards Banquet. The evening celebrated dedication, perseverance, teamwork, and academic excellence across Bowling, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field, Flag Football, and Softball. Team Awards Track & Field Most Improved: Nikita Molaison Academic Award: Allyson Dardar Golf Most Improved: Egan Guidroz Academic Award: Miley Perkins Flag Football Most Improved: Olivia Atkins Academic Award: Allyson Dardar Tennis Most Improved: Ava Landry Academic Award: Ava Landry Softball Most Improved: Ava Martinez Academic Award: Kamryn DiMaggio Bowling Most Improved: Alexandra Young Academic Award: Alexandra Young These awards recognize athletes who showed tremendous growth throughout the season while maintaining a strong commitment to their studies. LHSAA Academic All-State Composite Team Each year, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association selects the All-Academic Composite Team for each sport. This prestigious recognition is awarded to seniors across all classifications and divisions who maintain the highest Grade Point Average among athletes during their academic career while participating in varsity athletics for two or more consecutive seasons. (Students must earn an unweighted 4.0 GPA with no B’s on any report card.) Bowling: Alexandra Young Tennis: Ava Landry We are incredibly proud of these student-athletes for their exceptional dedication in the classroom and in competition. LHSAA All-Academic Scholar Athlete Program This award is presented for outstanding academic achievement by seniors maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5000 or higher during their academic career while participating in varsity high school athletics. Tennis: Blythe Bonnaffons Track & Field: Allie Mixon Softball: Kelsie Schmidt These athletes exemplify what it means to balance academic excellence with athletic commitment. The Linda Munn Award A meaningful highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Linda Munn Award. This award is given to student-athletes who exemplify sportsmanship and teamwork. They are kind and well-rounded, care deeply about representing their school and team in the best possible light, and display the utmost school pride. The award is named in honor of Ms. Linda Munn, who served as a teacher and coach at Chapelle for over three decades. Ms. Munn embodied these same qualities throughout her distinguished career and remains deeply loved and respected by the entire Chapelle family. We were honored to invite Ms. Munn on stage to help present the awards. Linda Munn Award Recipients: Bowling : Taylor Bourdonnay Golf : Elise Nelson Tennis : Blythe Bonnaffons Track & Field : Saige McReynolds Flag Football : Macey Lane Softball : Kelsie Schmidt

Celebrating Excellence at the Winter Athletics Awards 💚❄️ Chapelle Athletics proudly celebrated the accomplishments of our winter student-athletes at this year’s Winter Athletics Awards ceremony. The evening honored not only athletic achievement, but also dedication, perseverance, leadership, and academic excellence. Team Awards: Soccer Varsity Most Improved: Sophia Stevens Varsity Academic Award: Allie LeSieur Powerlifting Varsity Most Improved: Adamarise Melare Varsity Academic Award: Isabella Arboneaux Basketball JV & Varsity Most Improved: Karoline Roche Varsity Academic Award: Penelope Haley These student-athletes demonstrated tremendous growth throughout the season while balancing the demands of competition and academics. LHSAA All-Academic Scholar Athlete Program We are especially proud to recognize several seniors who were honored through the LHSAA All-Academic Scholar Athlete Program. This award is presented for outstanding academic achievement to seniors who have competed for two or more consecutive seasons and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5000 or higher within their sports division during their academic career while participating in varsity athletics. Soccer: Gabriella Saia Basketball: Jena Gaudet Kelsie Schmidt Penelope Haley Powerlifting: Victoria Frey Isabella Arboneaux Ella Growl Isabella Holt These student-athletes exemplify what it means to compete at a high level while excelling in the classroom. The Linda Munn Award One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was the presentation of the Linda Munn Award. This award is given to student-athletes who exemplify sportsmanship and teamwork. They are kind and well-rounded, care deeply about representing their school and team in the best possible light, and display the utmost school pride. The award is named in honor of Ms. Linda Munn, who served as a teacher and coach at Chapelle for over three decades. Ms. Munn embodied these same characteristics throughout her distinguished career and is deeply loved and respected by the entire Chapelle family. We were honored to invite Ms. Munn on stage to help present the awards. Linda Munn Award Recipients: Soccer : Allie LeSieur Basketball : Penelope Haley Powerlifting : Kathleen Sunseri

New Principal of St. Louis King of France School We are proud to spotlight Shannon Landaiche Culotta, Class of 1993, who has been named the new Principal of St. Louis King of France School. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience and success as both an educator and administrator. She currently serves as the Assistant Principal at St. Angela Merici Catholic School, where she continues to demonstrate strong leadership rooted in faith and academic excellence. Reflecting on her time at Chapelle, Shannon shared: “During my time at Archbishop Chapelle High School, my Catholic faith truly deepened and strengthened the values that guide me today. Chapelle not only provided me with leadership opportunities that helped me grow in confidence, but it also rooted me in the value and mission of Catholic education—something that continues to guide me now as a Catholic school administrator.” We are incredibly proud of Shannon’s accomplishments and grateful to see a Chapelle alumna continuing the mission of Catholic education. Congratulations on this exciting new chapter!








