Dr. Lanny Acosta started his career in 1964 as a data analyst for Chrysler Corporation’s Space Division. His teaching career began in 1971, when he taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics at Ridgewood Preparatory School. In 1976, Dr. Acosta was named Principal at St. John Catholic Interparochial High School. He served in that role for 22 years before becoming the Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi. Though he retired as Superintendent in 2004, he continues to make an impact on students by teaching a number of college exam preparatory courses.
Thomas Bourgeois grew up in Biloxi and attended Nativity BVM Elementary before enrolling at Mercy Cross High School and graduating in 1989. He has a 30-year career in Higher Education, and is currently serving as Dean of Students / Associate Provost for Student Success at Mississippi State University. He is married to Dr. Angi Bourgeois, the Dean of the College of Architecture, Art & Design at Mississippi State University. They live in Starkville with their three children.
Nanette Burke attended Nativity BVM Elementary before graduating from Sacred Heart Girls High School in 1968. She enjoyed a 26-year career teaching in public schools. Upon retirement, she eagerly accepted a teaching position at Nativity BVM Elementary School, where she taught students for another 20 years. Nanette continues to volunteer at the school as Assistant Choir Director. She and her husband, Dennis, led the Nativity BVM Parish Youth Ministry for 14 years.
Joseph Canizaro grew up in Biloxi and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1954. He has been described as the "single most influential business executive from New Orleans, " and is responsible for many of the buildings that make up the Crescent City skyline. Locally, Mr. Canizaro developed Tradition and played a pivotal role in the development of projects such as William Carey University Tradition Campus, the Bryant Center School of Nursing at MGCCC, and the Mississippi Veterans Home. Mr. Canizaro graciously donated the land for St. Patrick Catholic High School and was instrumental in building the school we love today.
“Clem” Dellenger was a 1960 graduate of Notre Dame High School where he was an outstanding three-sport letterman. He graduated from Tulane University where he was an All-American end and a baseball and football letterman. Clem was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and signed, but did not report. He went on to coach 25 years at MGCCC, and was part of the coaching staff that won two Junior College National Championships. From 1992 until 2000, Clem was the assistant principal at St. John High School.
Stan Dellenger was a football, basketball and track star who graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1976. He received a scholarship to play football at USM, and after earning his degree in Athletic Administration and Coaching, Stan went on to teach at six Catholic schools in two states, including Mercy Cross, St. Stanislaus and St. Patrick Catholic High School. In his 40 years as a head track coach, Stan’s athletes earned 40 gold medals and numerous state titles.
Michael Eckert is a 1982 graduate of Mercy Cross High School who went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Tulane University (Summa Cum Laude) and then his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently the Senior Director of Technology Incubation at Dolby Laboratories and has invented 15 U.S. patents. Michael, his wife and two children live in Australia.
Deacon John Richard Henderson graduated from St. John High School in 1962 and then the University of Southern Mississippi before embarking on a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force. He was commissioned by the U.S. Air Force in 1967 and completed his pilot training in 1969. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals for aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia in 1971. Deacon Henderson was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal four times. He was ordained a permanent deacon in 1993 and is currently the Pastoral Associate of St. James Catholic Church, where he also serves as director of OCIA.
Liz Joachim graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1956 before becoming a very accomplished businesswoman and civic leader. She owned Liz Joachim’s Emporium from 1988 to 1992, and Corso’s 100 year old Family Wholesale Distribution. In 1985, she was the First Lady of Biloxi. Liz received the Keys to the City of Biloxi in 1998 after serving as chairman of the Biloxi Development Commission for 15 years. She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast, was awarded the Pat Santucci Spirit of the Gulf Coast in 2012, and was named Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year in 2016.
Jack Nelson graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1947, where he was a sports editor for the school paper. He worked for the Biloxi Daily Herald from 1947 to 1951. From 1953 to 1957, Nelson studied journalism and economics at Georgia State College. He was also a Neiman Fellow at Harvard University from 1961-1962. Jack was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1960 while writing for the Atlanta Constitution. He worked 36 years as an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times, and his reporting legacy bridged civil rights, corruption and politics.
Msgr. Geoffrey O’Connell was born in Ireland, but had a profound impact on Catholic education in south Mississippi. He served as Pastor of Nativity Parish from 1942 until his retirement in 1967. He founded Notre Dame High School, an all-boys school, and succeeded in getting the Brothers of the Holy Cross to staff it. He is also credited for founding Nativity BVM Elementary School and staffing it with the Sisters of Mercy from Ireland. He was named Biloxi Outstanding Citizen in 1947.
Melvin Ray graduated from St. John High School in 1988. “Mr. SJS” became one of the youngest to serve as a justice court judge in Harrison County, when he was elected at age 22. He served as a judge for 30 years before retiring in 2022. Melvin has been honored by the Gulf Coast Center for Non-Violence for his role of working with families and victims of domestic violence. He was appointed to serve a six-year term on the Judicial Performance Committee of the Mississippi Supreme Court, and he served two terms as Executive Director of the Mississippi Justice Court Judges Association.
Weldon Starks graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1950. He spent his life working at his family business, Starks Contracting Company, where he served as Vice President and then President before retiring. He also served our country by serving in the Navy for four years. Weldon was a Commissioner on the Biloxi Port Commission, and a member of the Brick Layers Union and the Association of General Contractors. He also played for the Galloping Gales, a semi-pro football team in Biloxi. Weldon is a lifelong member of Nativity BVM Cathedral.
Deborah Worrell has been teaching in the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi for 43 years. She started teaching Science at Mercy Cross the year it opened, in 1981. She moved to St. Patrick Catholic High School when it opened in 2007, where she currently teaches Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, AP Physics, Engineering and Robotics. She is the founder and sponsor of Team Tempest Robotics, a FIRST Robotics program since 2005.