Sam Houston High School kicked off their inaugural Hall of Fame celebration with the honoring of four SHHS alumni and recognition of over 50 students.

“This program was established to recognize those who “have played an instrumental role in contributing to the betterment of Moss Bluff and Sam Houston High School” in an effort to motivate current and future students, said Randy Partin, master of ceremonies.

“This program is the result of a proactive and forward thinking staff who are seeking to educate students of the influences of the past and to help engage the community with the school.”

The first alumni honored was Gabriel Barkate, SHHS’ first principal.

Bakarte, a graduate of Northwestern State University and the University of Arkansas, worked within various schools in Southwest Louisiana in addition to Sam Houston. He also spent time at Vinton High School, Dolby Elementary School and Gillis High School.

After being an educator for 34 years, he was appointed Calcasieu Parish Associate Superintendent of Schools, a position that he held for a decade.

Barkate died in 2016 at the age of 91. He is survived by his six children.

“Sam Houston and the Moss Bluff community remained a lasting and cherished memory for their dad,” Partin said. “The entire Barkate family remains grateful for their time here.”

Charles “Sonny” Mathis, founder of Sonny’s supermarket, was also honored.

After spending his youth on a dairy farm, Mathis slowly paved the way for major developments in Moss Bluff. He opened a small grocery store alongside his father and later bought the first Conoco four pump gas station to reside in Moss Bluff.

He also played an instrumental role in the development of many businesses and institutions in the area, such as the Park Dell Shopping Center and Market Basket, Hixson Funeral Home and the first parish library in Moss Bluff.

Mathis became the first band booster president and led fundraising efforts to purchase band uniforms.

“He employed many Sam Houston students, instilling a strong work ethic and love for the community,” Partin explained.

Up until his passing in 2014, Mathis remained an active community member. “He could be seen out and about, and most loved visiting friends or strangers, doing general contracting jobs and always his work khakis.”

Poet, author and beloved band director Patrick Deaville was the third honored.

After earning his bachelor’s and master’s from McNeese State University, and serving for two years in the U.S. Army’s 18th Airborne Corps, Deaville served as a band director for 20 years. During his time as director, his bands earned 23 sweepstakes awards.

In 1993, he shifted gears to serve in administration for the next two decades, eventually serving as the SHHS assistant principal from 1996 to 2000.

He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2003.

He has also served as the editor of The Louisiana Musician, the official journal of the LMEA, and has published two works, “Life Lessons: A Poetic Guide to Life” and “The Solution.”

“It was not my plan to serve as an administrator, but thank goodness it was in God’s plans for me. It made a difference that I cannot put into words… changing me and changing my life and changing my view of education,” Deaville said. “All of you that are connected to Sam Houston and Moss Bluff have so much to be proud of.”

The last inductee honored was Ralph Eggleston, Academy Award and Oscar-winning animator, art director and production designer for Pixar Animation Studios.

Eggleston graduated from SHHS in 1983, excelling in art. With the support of his family, friends and teachers, he soon attended the California Institute of Arts in Los Angeles.

“Ralph’s acceptance into this prestigious school was part due to the exceptional art teachers at Sam Houston, Mr. Lewis Temple and Ms. Charlene Chesson,” said Partin. “They encouraged him to follow his dreams and pursue a career in animation”

Eggleston directed the Oscar-awarded short film “For the Birds,” and worked on critically acclaimed animated films such as “Fern Gully,” “WALL-E” and “The Incredibles” to name a few.

He also was an Annie Award winner for his work on “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo” and “Inside Out.”

Eggleston was most proud of his Oscar for “For the Birds” and his Winsor McCay Award that was granted to him in 2019, which recognized his lifetime achievement and career contributions to animation, said Partin.

Eggleston died in 2022 at 56 after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. “Although Ralph never married, his legacy continues throughout his exemplary works of animation.”

Partin quotes a tweet about Eggleston, “It’s safe to assume almost no children will have any idea who Ralph Eggleston is, but it is even safer to assume that nearly all of them will have seen and been delighted by his work.”

In addition to the four inductees, many current SHHS students were recognized for their academic successes, such as scoring 30 and above on the ACT, earning top scores on advanced placement testing and being granted scholarships.

SHHS plans to continue the Hall of Fame tradition, and is already considering inductees for next year.