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Seniors Ava Arceneaux and Eleanor Credeur, represented Notre Dame at the Louisiana Youth Seminar (LYS) at LSU this summer. They joined 275 high school students from across Louisiana for an intensive week focused on leadership, personal growth and building connections.

LYS challenges students through hands-on experiences designed to strengthen communication, teamwork, confidence, goal-setting, problem-solving and the ability to understand and appreciate others. Founded in 1971, LYS has helped develop thousands of young leaders across Louisiana.

For Ava, the experience was about both leadership and lifelong friendships. “LYS also taught me valuable leadership skills, like communication, teamwork, confidence, and leading by example. I’m truly grateful for everyone I met and everything I learned.”

Eleanor described the week as an experience that pushed her beyond her comfort zone and changed her for the better. "It was a blessing to grow with so many different people around our state. I connected with people that I’ll have bonds with forever.”

We are proud of the way these two students represented Notre Dame at LYS, and even more excited to see how they will bring their experiences and leadership skills back to our school community. Our mission calls us to form the whole person, and opportunities like LYS help our students grow not only as students, but as confident young people prepared to lead, serve and make a difference.

Long before he became “Father Schu,” Andrew had a gift for bringing people together. One lifelong friend described it as his “gravitational pull.” Teammates, classmates, friends — people naturally gathered around him. That gravitational pull began pointing people toward Christ.

A graduate of the Notre Dame Class of 2008, Andrew was a standout athlete, a strong student, and a natural leader. He excelled in football, basketball, and tennis, helping lead the tennis team to a state championship. He was Mr. Notre Dame, Prom King, and recipient of the Catholic Action Award.

But his greatest impact may have come through Campus Ministry. As president, he grew the organization from a handful of students to more than 100 Pioneers and helped introduce mission trips, March for Life, and Steubenville experiences.

His mother, Dr. Pam Darr, played an important role in forming that spirit of service. When Andrew wanted to spend spring break at the beach with his friends, she signed him up for a mission trip to Mexico instead. When he questioned her decision, she reminded him that as Campus Ministry president, he needed to set an example. That simple lesson — to use his gifts in service of others — became part of the foundation of his vocation.

At Steubenville, during Eucharistic Adoration, Andrew experienced a powerful call to the priesthood. He tried to call Father Aaron Melancon afterward to say he was ready to enter seminary. Father Aaron didn't answer — and apparently never called him back!

So Andrew went to college, graduated cum laude in finance, became a fraternity president and student leader, and had an MBA program waiting for him. But God kept pursuing him. Eventually, Andrew stopped bargaining and said yes.

Since his ordination in 2018, that yes has become a gift to countless people.

Through Mission Renew, the “Look Up Challenge,” his work at St. Thomas More, his ministry in Estherwood and Mermentau, and now his leadership at Holy Cross, Father Schumacher has continually found ways to bring people closer to Christ.

But what truly defines him is not simply what he has accomplished. It is the love behind it.

Whether he is hearing confessions, inviting someone to Mass, praying with someone in crisis, leading a pilgrimage, sharing a meal, or simply playing a game, people encounter Christ through him. His joy, faith, and willingness to serve make holiness feel not only possible, but attractive.

Father Andrew’s story is especially meaningful for our Pioneers because it began right here. He was a Notre Dame student with talents, dreams, friendships, and a future he thought he understood. But he allowed God to use those gifts for something greater.

His life reminds us that our greatest calling may not be the life we plan, but the life God is calling us to live.

We are proud to honor a Pioneer whose footsteps continue to lead others closer to Christ. Congratulations to the Notre Dame Shoe of Fame Honoree for 2026, the pride of the Class of 2008 — Father Andrew Schumacher.

Notre Dame High School proudly recognized three outstanding members of its school community during a recent mass, naming Mia Hoffpauir as Student of the Year, Randy Schexnayder as Teacher of the Year, and Kellie Duhon as Supporter of the Year. These honorees exemplify the school’s mission through leadership, service, faith, and dedication to Catholic education.
 

Mia Hoffpauir was named Student of the Year for her outstanding leadership, school spirit, and commitment to faith and service. A four-year member of Student Council, she served as Class Historian through her junior year and as Board Vice President her senior year. Hoffpauir has been actively involved in Beta Club, FFA, Prom Committee, and athletics, serving as Football Trainer for four years and Head Trainer as a senior, in addition to joining the basketball team this year.

Her faith has been central to her high school experience. A four-year member of Campus Ministry, Hoffpauir serves on the Retreat Team and as a Eucharistic Minister. Beyond campus, she reads at weeknight masses in her parish, volunteers annually at German Fest, and serves at the Crowley hospital, assisting with community initiatives such as Doctors’ Appreciation and Breast Cancer Awareness. Her dedication reflects a student who leads with humility and lives her faith in action.

Randy Schexnayder was honored as Teacher of the Year in recognition of his lifelong commitment to education and his unwavering investment in students. As Head of the Math Department, Schexnayder is known for setting high expectations while providing steady support to help every student succeed. He also serves as a mentor and resource for fellow faculty members.

With more than four decades in education, Schexnayder has served as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in Vermilion Parish before returning to the classroom. His distinguished career includes being named Louisiana State Secondary Principal of the Year and receiving the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education. He has taught at Notre Dame since 2020.

Kellie Duhon was recognized as Supporter of the Year for her leadership, generosity, and dedication to the school’s mission. A former Notre Dame student, spouse of an alumnus, and parent of a graduate and current junior, Duhon has served on the Advisory Council for two years, including as president, and has been instrumental in the school’s ongoing strategic planning efforts.

As Chair of the Facilities Committee, she has helped guide campus improvements and long-term planning, while also supporting major fundraising efforts, including ReProm 2024. Professionally, Duhon serves as Corporate Giving Program Officer for Louisiana Blue, bringing nearly two decades of experience in philanthropy and community engagement. She also helped launch Million Meals for MLK, a statewide initiative that she helped bring to the Notre Dame community. Through this initiative, students were part of a meal-packing party that produced over 38,000 meals to help our neighbors in need.

Notre Dame High School congratulates Mia Hoffpauir, Randy Schexnayder, and Kellie Duhon and thanks them for their leadership, service, and dedication to faith and excellence.