2021 Louisiana Youth Webinar to be held in honor of the late Norma Jane Sabiston
On July 18-23rd, 2021 the virtual Louisiana Youth Seminar will be held in honor of late political advisor and LYS advocate Norma Jane Sabiston. The 2021 Webinar is being held in place of the traditional seminar which Norma Jane dedicated over 40 years of her life. This legacy for leadership development will continue with the creation of a legacy scholarship benefiting young students wishing to attend the Louisiana Youth Seminar in the future.
Norma Jane, who passed away from a sudden illness on December 4, 2020, was a trusted advisor to Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Governors, and Mayors. However, she would tell you her most important legacy will be the hundreds of young leaders she mentored during her extraordinary 40-year career at the center of public policy in Louisiana and Washington, D.C.
Norma Jane was a renowned political strategist and 1979 political science graduate of the University of New Orleans. Not only was she a force in local, statewide and national politics for more than three decades, she was actively involved in many non-profits, UNO, as well as the Louisiana Youth Seminar. Dedicated to LYS since we attended as a high school student, Norma Jane served as a staff member, Program Director, Board Member, Advisory Board member and trusted friend and mentor to many of the over 10,000 students who attended with week-long leadership seminar.
To honor her extraordinary legacy, annual scholarships to the Louisiana Youth Seminar and the University of New Orleans will be awarded in Norma Jane’s name to distinguished students with a demonstrated record in leadership and academics. Those interested in donating towards her legacy scholarships can do so here: https://www.njslegacy.org
The Louisiana Youth Seminar is a free 6-day online program where young adults learn and refine leadership and communication skills at their own pace. Those interested can register for the webinar here by July 17thhttps://www.louisianayouthseminar.org/virtual-interest
UNO Names 1st Norma Jane Sabiston Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year
Lacey Merrick Conway, president and CEO of Latter & Blum, has been named the 2021 Norma Jane Sabiston Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year.
Lacey Merrick Conway earned a Master of Business Administration from UNO in 2004. She is president and CEO of Latter & Blum, a family-owned and operated real estate company, founded in 1916, with more than 3,700 real estate agents and 36 offices spanning Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Prior to ascending to CEO in 2020, she served as executive vice president with more than 15 years of experience in residential real estate sales and broker management.
She serves on the board of directors and executive committee of Latter & Blum, The Realty Alliance, United Way of Southeast Louisiana and GNO, Inc.
“Throughout her career, Lacey has demonstrated the determination, pride and ambition that we hope all Privateers exhibit,” said UNO President John Nicklow. “As the Young Alumna Award winner, Lacey has much more she will accomplish in her lifetime but she has already made an impact on our campus community and our city.”
Beginning this year, the Young Alumni of the Year Award has been named in honor of Norma Jane Sabiston, a renowned political strategist and 1979 political science graduate of UNO, who died in December 2020. Not only was Sabiston a force in local, statewide and national politics for more than three decades, she served as president of the UNO Alumni Association and was an active supporter of her alma mater. She was honored as the Distinguished Alumna of the College of Liberal Arts in 2001.
The 2021 Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumni Gala will be held on November 4, 2021 from 7-10 p.m. at the National WWII Museum: Boeing Freedom Pavilion. The 2020 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Timothy Adams, and 2020 Young Alumna of the Year, Sheba Turk, will be also honored at the 2021 gala since last year’s event was held virtually. Proceeds from the event will help support a newly established endowed scholarship in Norma Jane Sabiston’s name. For ticket and sponsorship information, click here.
Gallo will be the 38thhonoree to receive the Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumni Award. Previous recipients include Bowie, Maryland Mayor Timothy Adams, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO Phillip May, former State Rep. Julie Stokes, New Orleans & Co. senior vice president Mark Romig, engineer and executive Roy Glapion, television news executive Kim Bondy, former Gambit Communications Chairman Clancy DuBos and former Lieutenant Governor Melinda Schwegmann. The honoree is selected by a committee of former award recipients.