Chalmette High School Principal Wayne Warner being interviewed for 'The Warner Way.'
He's been called "the Mr. Rogers of Chalmette," but Wayne Warner's impact on area youth has been felt for much longer, and in a much more direct way, than any TV personality.
For more than 50 years, Warner has served as principal of Chalmette High School, an incredible feat that earns him the title of the longest-serving principal in America, and one that is being recognized in a new documentary called "The Warner Way." It will debut across Louisiana on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on WLAE-TV.
Jim Dotson, an executive producer for the documentary, shared that it took about a year-and-a-half to complete, but one of the hardest parts was just getting started.
"I've never met a person as humble as Wayne," he said. "When we first approached him about the idea, he refused. He kept insisting that there was no story. Eventually, however -- along with help from the Meraux Foundation, which sponsored the film -- we were finally able to convince him."
Decades of memories
The documentary includes interviews with students, teachers and alumni who share their thoughts and memories of Warner. Beryl Hargis, secretary for the Chalmette High School Alumni Association, said the group has been hard at work spreading the news about the film.
"When I graduated in 1966, Warner had just started teaching at Chalmette High," she said. "When he became principal in the 1970s, my brothers were there, and he was my son's principal in the 1980s, when I also worked at the school. But even if you never went to Chalmette High or had kids there, you know who he is."
Hargis said Warner is widely recognized as a pillar of the Chalmette community and, maybe even more impressive, continues to command the respect of his students.
"When my kids were in school, I remember when they'd have events in the gymnasium and the assistant principals would come in and struggle to quiet everybody. But all Wayne Warner ever had to do was walk out and everyone would settle down. He had, and still has, that kind of presence."
St. Bernard and beyond
Although it's bound to be a hit in Chalmette, Dotson said the film was created to also have a wider appeal.
"Our approach all along is that this guy has been a high school principal for 50 years, so just think of what that means," he said. "He was leading a high school through all these major events, the Vietnam War, Nixon's resignation, civil rights issues. Think of how much things have changed in education, in who students are and how they behave."
"Wayne is the thread that pulls it all together," added the film's writer and producer, Heath Allen. "He's been the constant, and proof positive that courtesy, respect, strength and common sense are qualities that are universal and timeless."
When the film was in its final stages, however, the Chalmette community received heartbreaking news. On June 24 of this year, Warner was attacked and robbed while trying to help a man in a wheelchair. He suffered a broken hip and elbow that required surgery and months of rehabilitation.
The road ahead
Warner remains on medical leave, and on July 24, the St. Bernard Parish School System named Will Schneider, a veteran administrator, as interim principal.
"When I found out what happened to Wayne, I was in touch with his wife immediately," said Allen, who has become close with Warner. "I've honestly never met a nicer person."
Allen said Warner has been doing well in his recovery.
"He was back at the school a few weeks ago to sit in on a staff meeting," he said. "This is a man who loved his own high school experience so much that he never wanted to leave, and so he didn't. He is so student-oriented, so individual-oriented. He doesn't want to leave any kid behind. That's his legacy."