2009 Distinguished Alumna, Laurelee Roger Toscano, Sioux of ‘60

1. In what ways did your Ursuline education prepare you for the work you are doing now? 
Ursuline instilled in me not only the challenge and excellence of academics, but also the challenge of doing things the correct, orderly, thorough, and goal-oriented way with passion, knowledge, integrity, and fairness.  By applying all of those principles in my work, whether as a teacher, coach, notarial secretary, youth minister, or administrative assistant, I have always strived to put forth the best effort and product of which I am capable.

2. Please describe the most significant value you learned from Ursuline Academy.  
The most significant value I learned from Ursuline is love: love of God, love of my fellow man, and love of learning.  Through love of God, I have been blessed with my Faith, and I have been able to deal with adversity and joy.  From my love of God flows love of my fellow man which has, in turn, resulted in my wanting to live the ideals of Courtesy, Loyalty, and Courage; and above all Serviam.  And through love of learning, I have been able to broaden my horizons and to know no limits, allowing me to do more and love more than I had ever expected.      (photo credit: Lacy Davillier ‘04)

3. Describe Ursuline in one word.
Nurturing: nurturing of the mind, the body, and the soul.

About Laurelee Roger Toscano

Laurelee, a native New Orleanian who hails from Gentilly, never doubted that she would rebuild in New Orleans after losing her home in Hurricane Katrina.  She stated that “I am a New Orleanian through and through.  Nothing could keep me away.”  A cum laude graduate of Loyola University with a major in secondary education/math, she has been a teacher, substitute teacher, notarial secretary, administrative assistant, coach, and parish youth minister.

Having been overtly and covertly influenced by “Serviam” during her years at Ursuline, Laurelee has filled her spare time with volunteer work beginning as a high school student when she taught swimming for the American Red Cross.  Eventually earning her WSI, she became the Swimming Program Director at Camp St. Gertrude under the auspices of the Red Cross the very summer after graduation.  While attending Loyola, Laurelee was a member of social, service, and academic organizations holding office in several.  During her children’s school years she served as PTA president for 3 terms and on a number of fair committees; she chaired and co-chaired fair/bazaar booths; and she was a volunteer Catholic School Athletic League cabbage ball coach as well as a Brownie leader.  Laurelee also coached girls’ sports for 6 years at a NORD playground, worked with an AAU softball team and an AAU volleyball team, and helped with fundraising.  She served as President of her Garden Club, Treasurer of her Homeowners Association, and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of her subdivision’s improvement district.  In addition, Laurelee has served as an Assistant Advisor to the UNO Ambassadors.

What has brought Laurelee her most joy is her volunteer work with Ursuline and her church.  Laurelee chaired SAF for 3 years and co-chaired it for 2 years.  She served as Food and Beverage Chair for LaFete 275, Setup Co-Chair for LaFete 276, and on the Auction Committee for LaFete 277.  As a 5 year member of the Ursuline School Board she was president for 2 years.  She is currently serving on the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees and as a Class Chair for SAF.

Laurelee has taught CCD classes at St. Maria Goretti for 12 years where she is currently on the Religious Education Board and is the High School of Religion Coordinator.  Under her direction, the high school of the CCD has sponsored bake sales and raffles for 2 Ugandan priests whom she met when they were seminarians at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. 

At Immaculate Heart of Mary Laurelee was instrumental in the reactivation of the CYO.  While serving on the IHM Parish Council she was the parish Youth Minister/CYO Director, Athletic Co-Director, coach, and a member of RCIA.  A carry over from her time at Immaculate Heart of Mary and her trip to Belize with the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Laurelee sponsors 3 garage sales a year at her home for the Ugandan parishes and collects reading books to send to Our Lady of the Way Church in Belize.

A recipient of the St. Louis Medallion for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Laurelee is the mother of Deborah (Mac of ‘85), Edmund, III, and Gregory.  When asked what she will do after retirement in June of 2010, Laurelee indicated that she is retiring from her 9 to 5 job only.  She does not plan to retire from “Serviam” saying, “It is too much a part of me.”