LAFAYETTE, LA - A surprise recognition ceremony at M.D. Mary Baker Smith Career Center Friday morning celebrated not one, but two standout staff members and, for the first time, both recipients happen to be husband and wife.

Randy Demette, an auto tech instructor and former student at the school, was named Teacher of the Year by his peers.

“This was unexpected,” Demette said after the announcement. “It was a breath of fresh air coming to teach because all of the stuff that became stale and boring for me, it was like excitement for them, and that made me excited.”

Unbeknownst to him, his wife Karen Demette was in on the surprise. What she didn’t expect, however, was that she would also be honored. Karen, an administration clerk, was named Support Staff of the Year, an award also decided

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