The Acadia Parish Chamber is proud to announce William “Billy” Pinac as the 2020 Humanitarian of the Year. He will be honored at the Acadia Parish Honors Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony slated for Thursday, July 16th at the Grand Opera House of the South.
Born and raised in Crowley, Billy Pinac is a 1982 graduate of Crowley High School. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1986 from Louisiana State University and then a Master’s degree in business administration in 1989. Pinac was an accountant for 20 years prior to making his move to Education. He then felt a calling to teach – and that he did. During his time as an accountant, Pinac served on the Acadia Parish School Board from 1999-2002. After his term ended, he began teaching Financial Math and Algebra I at Crowley High School. In addition to teaching duties, Pinac sponsored the Student Council, Junior Ring Ceremony, the Veterans Day Program and Homecoming. He was named Teacher of the Year by his colleagues in 2013. He served as Cohort Coordinator for the Acadia Parish School Board in 2014 where he worked with at-risk youth to develop pathways to graduation.
In 2017, Pinac transitioned into Administration where he served as a Junior-Senior advisor. This position allowed him to impact each student leaving Crowley High in a special way; whether they needed help applying for a scholarship or just advice on school and life. He is administrator and coordinator of the Virtual Academy at Crowley High which provides students with flexible scheduling in addition to credit recovery; Pinac believes this program yields to reducing the dropout rate.
Outside of education, Pinac has been serving on the Acadia Parish Library Board of Control since 1991. In 1996 Pinac served on the Crowley City Council sitting on both the Finance and Public Works Committees. He served on the Crowley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1992-1998 serving as Chairman and being selected by his fellow Board members as Outstanding Board Member in 1998.
Regardless of who you speak to, anyone who knows Billy, or Mr. P as his students reference him, knows that he has gone above and beyond his daily duties as an educational professional. The impact he has had on countless students’ lives is immeasurable. Everyone he comes in contact with– children, students, coworkers all love his infectious energetic attitude.
A fellow colleague commented on their experiences with Billy, “The first word that comes to mind when I think of Billy Pinac is compassion. Knowing that I was a new staff member at Crowley High, he did his best to make me feel as comfortable as possible. Billy Pinac is everything that is right with the education system today. He knows no stranger while showing compassion and love to everyone that walks through his door”.
One of Billy’s former students offered some words, “If you look up the word “dedicated” in a dictionary, Mr. P will be there, front and center. I’ve never met someone who is so dedicated to their job as much as he is. As a former student who loves her Green and Gold, I’ve seen just how much Mr. P loves Crowley High. As a 1982 graduate of Crowley High, he knows what being a Green and Gold Fan is all about, and I got to see on a daily basis just how lucky Crowley High is to have Mr. P not only as a student advisor, but as one of the best to ever walk the halls of Crowley High, in my opinion.”
“Make it a great day, Crowley High – the choice… is yours”. These few words will be etched into the minds of students, faculty and staff for years to come. It is clear that Billy went above and beyond his calling. The stories and smiles are endless when one breathes his name. Without a doubt, Billy has positively influenced many through all his endeavors inside the classroom and out.
For more information on Acadia Parish Honors, please visit AcadiaParishChamber.org. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seating will be limited. Those interested in purchasing tickets should call the Chamber office at (337) 788-0177.
