The People Project:
Mary Beth Crovetto
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | January 8, 2022
Meet Mary Beth Crovetto!
Mary Beth was born and raised in Hammond. She has an older brother, and attended Southeastern Lab School. Some of her fondest memories come from the time that she spent at Lab School. She graduated from Hammond High School in 1984 and attended Southeastern Louisiana University, where she met her husband, Kevin. She knew him from a mutual friend, and sat next to him in class. Less than 5 months later, they were engaged, then soon married! She graduated from SLU in Theater/Speech Education, with an English minor in 1988, then again with her Masters of Education in 1994 and Educational Leadership in 2002. While earning her degrees, she taught at Ponchatoula High School. She spent a total of 30 years there as an English and Speech teacher, then became the Assistant Principal. In 2018, she became the Principal of Ponchatoula Junior High School. Together, she and Kevin have 3 children, Greg (who is married to Macey), Mary Anna (who is married to Daniel) and Alexandra. They also have Bella and Bubba, two dogs that were rescued.
We want to thank Mary Beth for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: Education is in my blood. My parents and many family members were, or are, in education, even my son! I am a 3rd generation teacher. If you ask any teacher why they became a teacher, it is because of a way a teacher made them feel when they were a student. The same rings true for me. I focus on that with my staff. My staff focuses on each child as a whole. We are the only school in the parish that just has 7th and 8th grades. We have 820 students, and the students have opportunities to earn 4 high school credits. So, we have a lot of learning happening along with ways to keep the students motivated and involved. Like my book vending machine, I am so proud of it. Each time a student does something positive, they are given points, and once they get a certain amount of points, they get a token to put into the book vending machine. It is a brand new book a student receives and is able to keep for themselves. Our school goal is to increase literacy, so this gets the kids excited. We have all types of books in there, even magazines. We do all kinds of positive rewards for good behavior. If students have enough points, we also play games in the gym and have dances. At our recent dance, I learned the "Fancy Like" dance from TikTok and the students and staff were shocked that I knew it. They loved it! We have a blast with the students! We have created new clubs and organizations that focus on service and self-growth, which I feel is very important for students to learn. I really love my job, my staff and my students. I always want them to feel loved and safe.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: China Lotus. I always get the Wor Won Ton Soup and eggroll! When I have a rough day, someone will show up with some soup. It is my comfort food. They know my name and my order! I also love Roux & Brew and Middendorf's fried catfish. My son and I started a tradition of going to Middendorfs for Oktoberfest for 6 weeks.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: The street I grew up on had so many children. No matter the time of day, we could go outside and have tons of kids to play with. There were 7 girls that I played with as much as I could. They are still my best friends. When we would get together, we would play Barbies. Everyone would bring their dolls and whatever Barbie accessory for us all to play with. One girl had the 3-story Barbie Dream House, one girl had the swimming pool, and I would just bring my Barbie to play with their toys. But one Christmas I got the Barbie Dream Van and I almost fainted. I felt so proud to bring my van to the girls to play with. I was about 7 years old. I had the best childhood.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Tuscany, Italy to see the countryside and meet the people. I always want to go to Greece. The photos just look so beautiful. But I also need to see more of the United States. I want to go to National Parks, Wrigley Field…so many places.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Since childhood, I have loved The Sound of Music. I also love Harrison Ford, so anything he is in. The obsession started with Star Wars, and I passed it on to my kids. I love movies. The first movie I remember seeing in the theater was Paper Moon with my Dad at a theater that was in downtown Hammond. I am shocked he brought me because it was PG!
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Love the Lord; Love others; Love Yourself.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Hugh Jackman is playing in The Music Man in New York. I would LOVE to see him. Something I recently checked off my list was seeing Bette Midler perform. I was invited on a trip to New York, and they had tickets to see her perform as Dolly in Hello Dolly. It was the best show. I was loving every second.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I love pop music! Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera. I really love all types of music, classical, Celtic Woman, marching bands, 80's music, country. Music heals me. I am in the choir at First Baptist Church. It is the one thing that I cannot miss. It is my "me" time.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: When I was a child and we needed a nice dress, we would go to Rosenblum's Department Store in downtown Hammond. It was across the street from my grandmother’s house. The same 3 women worked there for 50 years. It is where the Hammond Library is now. Which makes me happy that it is filled with books now.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: Trace Adkins! He sings a song called Hot Mama, and Kevin played it for me saying it reminded him of me. I love the song! I would take him to Roux & Brew at the back patio so he could sing for me.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The people. The amazing leadership. I feel like I have taught everyone or worked with them. I love how everyone takes care of each other.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Being much more involved with the community. I have given my life to education, it will be time to serve the community. Helping to keep the culture and traditions of Ponchatoula alive. Also, I'll be traveling.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am addicted to reality TV. I have always been so cautious and conservative with my life, the people on these shows are just so wild. I like Married at First Sight, 90 Day Fiancé, Survivor, and Wife Swap. I can't imagine these people's lives.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Safe place.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: For work, I want a theater teacher. Someone to teach drama, debate, music. Personally, I want a chef to cook healthy, tasty meals.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Pizza! From Commodore’s Pizza or Nola Mia.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Sing and dance. Many people say I saw you dancing in your car!
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: One of the last gifts I gave was a 55-inch Roku TV for my son and daughter-in-law for Christmas. One of the last gifts I received, was a diamond paw necklace from my husband for Christmas. He knows me!
Q: What are you known for?
A: Being the voice of Ponchatoula. I have done school announcements for so many years. Also doing the Pep Rallies and halftime shows. I also did the promotional video for church. I am also the voice for Ponchatoula.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: Ricky Martin’s Livin' La Vida Loca! I also love Whitney Houston's I Wanna to Dance with Somebody!
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To heal people.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Singing, choir, scrapbooking (I save everything!), I like to write nonfiction, also.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Face palm, an oops moment!
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My family. Being married for 32 years, my kids.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: A radio and my husband.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: Doing the TikTok dance for the kids at the dance. They were shocked.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: I would give money to the church, they want to build a Children's Center, and I would love to just make it happen. I would also buy land and build my husband a workshop the size of a gym. Then I would travel with my family, eating around the world.
Mary Beth was nominated by Kim Zabbia
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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