LYS Alumni Profiles

Since 1971, Louisiana Youth Seminar has made a difference in individuals' lives. Read some of the LYS Profiles below to find out how these individuals were impacted by their LYS experience.

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Norma Jane Sabiston

LYS Profile: Norma Jane Sabiston

1972 – Delegate from Abramson High School
Currently – Consultant and Owner, Sabiston Consultants

Norma Jane Sabiston came to LYS as a delegate in 1972 and was elected as “Most Outstanding Delegate”. She returned to serve as Counselor in 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976. “NJ” served as Staff Assistant in 1977, 1978 and 1979 and then as Program Director in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983. She is a member of the 5 Year Club and the LYS Hall of Fame. Norma Jane served on the Board of Directors for many years and currently serves on the Advisory Board and on the Board Fund Development Committee.

Norma Jane received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Orleans, with her major area of study being Political Science. She served several prominent Louisiana political leaders including United States Congressman Billy Tauzin and United States Senator John Breaux. She served as Chief of Staff to United States Senator Mary Landrieu. In addition, Norma Jane served in several political campaigns, including serving as Field Director for Senator J. Bennett Johnson and Campaign Manager for Senators Breaux’s and Landrieu’s successful Senate bids. Norma Jane’s desire to help New Orleans and Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita led her back home to join Marmillion Company as Vice President. Recently, Norma Jane established an independent firm, Sabiston Consultants, whose focus is corporate and political consulting.

NJ has received many honors over the years. She was the recipient in 1996 of the National Polly Award as Outstanding Campaign Manager. She was named as a Distinguished Alumna in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Orleans in 2001-2002. She has served on the Louisiana ArtWorks Board of Directors and on the LSU Health Sciences Foundation Board of Directors.

Norma Jane Sabiston and Senator Mary Landrieu met each other the summer of 1972 on Tulane Avenue in New Orleans at the Greyhound bus station as the two of them, both class presidents at their separate high schools, were boarding a bus to attend LYS. The story of their friendship is chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller book entitled “I Know Just What You Mean”, by authors Ellen Goodman and Patricia O’Brien. The book goes on to describe LYS as a “seminar for the best and the brightest of teenagers, young people already showing leadership capabilities.”  Since that summer, Norma Jane and Mary have remained close friends, working together for the good of Louisiana.

Norma Jane Sabiston loves her home state of Louisiana and currently resides in New Orleans. She also loves the Louisiana Youth Seminar. Since the summer of 1972, NJ has dedicated her time, her talent and her resources to LYS and the youth of Louisiana. She has served in many, many capacities and comes back year after year. And, many times when Norma Jane returns to LYS, she is joined by her good friend, Mary Landrieu…coming back to where their friendship started so many years ago.