Rayne Catholic displays new items for ‘Leader’ program

By Lisa Soileaux

The Rayne Catholic Tigers, a phrase commonly known throughout this area. So, “Why is there a pig statue on the school grounds this school year” you ask?

The pig statue, like many other items notice about campus, has a connection with the ongoing Leader In Me program implemented at the school two years ago in which students take the reigns with a leadership role as members of the Student Lighthouse Team.

The most talked about item seen about campus is the pig statue. In the 7 Habits training, students learn to focus on their Wildly Important Goals (WIGS) not our Pretty Important Goals (PIGS). The visual for this is a “PIG in a WIG.”

Garrett Gautreaux was the owner of a meat market in Duson and had a large cement pig in front of his store.  One day staff members asked if he would be interested in donating it to the school for their 7 Habits Program, and the rest is history. Gautreaux brought the pig to the school using his front-end loader and RCE art students painted it and popped a wig on its head. It has become a real talking point for students, parents, visitors to RCE and the City of Rayne. RCE employees are asked about the statue all the time even when not at school. This visual has proven to be a real asset in starting the 7 Habits conversation.

Another reminder of the 7 Habits can’t be seen from the outside of the campus, but is a popular site inside the office area of the school. Long-time staff member Aileen Prevost found a picture of seven nuns representing the 7 Habits. Since the school’s staff offices are now located in the Convent Home of the Sisters of Mount Carmel, the school thought it would be a great visual to have in the hall next to the teacher’s lounge where all of the present-day teacher can be reminded of the original teachers of Catholic education in the city of Rayne.

The complete list of the school’s 7 Habits are:

1. Be Proactive (you are in charge);

2. Begin with the End in Mind (Have a plan);

3. Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play);

4. Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win);

5. Seek First to Understand Then to be Understood (Listen Before You Talk);

6. Synergize (Together is Better);

7. Sharpen The Saw (Balance Feels Best).

The Leader In Me program is an innovative, school-wide model that increases teacher effectiveness, student engagement, and academic achievement, while preparing students to be leaders in the 21st century.