2021-22 Ryan Smith Award - Mrs. Arelis Soberal

Congratulations to Mrs. Arelis Soberal! She was recognized with the 2021-22 Ryan William Smith Award this week during mass. 

This award recognizes employee excellence of a member of the LCP faculty and staff. Ryan was a 2004 Loyola graduate who spent all of his educational life on Jordan Street. He attended St. John Berchmans and Loyola. He graduated from LSU, married his wife Ashley and at the age of 28, and when his wife was pregnant with their son, Ryan died of cancer. Ryan loved Loyola. He excelled in academics and athletics, and there is a football locker in his memory at Messmer. Ryan received his degree in Petroleum Engineering from LSU. He would say that he would enjoy coming back to Loyola to teach Introductory Engineering so much that he would do it for free. Ryan would be proud to honor the faculty of the school that meant so much to him, and his parents are proud to take up this tradition for him.

This week Ryan's dad Robin was able to join us at mass, and we are so grateful for the Smith's family dedication to our school. 

“Mrs. Soberal is always looking for new ways to improve her classroom,” said John LeBlanc, Principal. “This award not only celebrates an outstanding faculty member, but it is also a small grant for teachers to use in their classroom. This summer she came to me with concern for her student performance and wanted to have flexible seating in her classroom. We recognize her drive for excellence in the classroom and thinking outside of the box to enhance her students' learning experience." 

Previous winners of the Ryan Smith award include Mrs. Meehan, Mrs. Goodman, Coach Woolbert, and Coach Mawhinney.