By Hanna Singh
Rickey Burton, a man who truly embodies the spirit of the Ruston community, has been named one of Ruston High School’s distinguished alumni. For more than 43 years, Burton dedicated his career to the Lincoln Parish School District, where he educated and inspired generations of students.
After graduating from Ruston High School in 1974, Burton attended Grambling State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in health and physical education in 1978. He went on to earn a Master of Science in sports administration in 1982, also from Grambling. In addition to his degrees, Burton received certification in driver education from Grambling and took courses in adapted physical education at Louisiana Tech University.
Burton began his career with the Lincoln Parish School Board in 1979, serving in various roles over the next 33 years. His first teaching position was at Ruston High School, but he later transferred to I.A. Lewis Middle School as a physical education teacher and coach. He also worked at Lincoln Center School as an adapted PE teacher. During his time at Dubach High School, Burton held multiple roles, including science teacher, PE teacher, junior high basketball coach, freshman basketball coach, junior varsity basketball coach, varsity basketball coach, athletic director, and substitute bus driver.
After his extensive career at Dubach, Burton returned to Ruston and joined Lincoln Center School as assistant principal, eventually becoming principal. He also taught driver education for 31 years. In his final role before retiring in 2012, Burton served as assistant principal at Ruston Junior High School. Following his retirement, he continued to serve the community as a truancy officer with the Lincoln Parish District Attorney’s Office for an additional 10 years.
Reflecting on his time at Ruston High School, Burton recalls feeling supported throughout the years and credits his undergraduate education with preparing him for his future career.
“My time at Ruston High prepared me for the courses I needed for college,” Burton said. “All the schools I attended from Lincoln Elementary, I.A. Lewis Junior High at that time, and Ruston High played a big part, both personally and professionally. I had great teachers, administrators and support staff to help me.”
Throughout his career, Burton made a lasting impact not only on students but also on the faculty and staff he worked alongside. Tim Nutt, Lincoln Parish Child Welfare and Attendance officer, fondly recalled his experience working with Burton at both Ruston Junior High School and the Lincoln Parish District Attorney’s Office.
“I don’t know if I have ever worked with someone with a finer character than Rickey Burton. He’s one of the finest people I’ve ever met,” Nutt said. “He’s a family man with tremendous work ethic and tremendous compassion. When we first started working together, I was principal, and he was assistant principal at Ruston Junior High School, but I feel like I learned more from him. He had the respect of students, staff, parents, and everyone. We always talk about him finely to this day.”
Regarding his recognition in being named a distinguished alumni, Burton expressed his gratitude to Ruston High School and offered words of advice to current Bearcats looking toward their future.
“I feel good to be recognized by my alma mater with the Distinguished Alumni Award,” Burton said. “My advice to current RHS students as they prepare for their own future is that when they look back on their life, ask yourself, ‘Am I proud of what I have done?’ Remember, there is always room to improve.”
Burton’s decades of dedication to the Lincoln Parish community and his alma mater truly demonstrate his worthiness of the Alumni Award. He noted that his Ruston High School Class of 1974 will celebrate its 50th reunion at the first RHS football game in November, and he is excited to reconnect with his former classmates. Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat!
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