The recipients of this year’s Monte M. Lemann Award, presented annually by the Louisiana Civil Service League were honored at the luncheon on Friday, October 14, including DeeAnna Jurisic of Plaquemines Parish.

The Monte M. Lemann Award is presented to individuals outside the classified civil service system who have made the greatest contribution to the advancement of the merit system of public employment in Louisiana, according to Daniel E. Sullivan, Executive Vice President of the League.

This forty-sixth annual awards luncheon was held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans. This coveted award is given annually as a memorial to Monte M. Lemann who was a staunch defender of the merit civil service law in its formative years.

Mrs. DeeAnna Jurisic, of Belle Chasse, has been a valuable member of the Plaquemines Parish Civil Service Commission since 2000, and has helped in the development of strong merit principles.

Mrs. Jurisic has been a resident of Plaquemines Parish for the past 49 years. She is a native of Buras, and graduated from Buras High School in 1980. She received a BS in Elementary Education from Our Lady of Holy Cross College and has been an elementary teacher in Plaquemines Parish for the past 18 years.

Mrs. Jurisic has taught in Boothville -Venice School, Buras High School, and Belle Chasse Primary School. Mrs. Jurisic has thoroughly enjoyed molding the young minds of youth and bringing a love of reading to each of her students.

She stated that she feels honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Plaquemines Parish Civil Service Commission, and to have a part in making a difference in the lives of parish employees.

She has been happily married to Jakov Jurisic, a commercial oyster fisherman, for the past 29 years. They have two beautiful daughters, Vinka and Ane. She is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and of the Croatian American Society, where she has served on the board for several years.