By: ELIZABETH WEST
Managing Editor
It was all about the businesses during a luncheon hosted by the Evangeline Parish School Board on Wednesday.
The event was to recognize businesses that took part in the school district’s work-base learning program this school year.
At the event, which was held at the Northside Civic Center in Ville Platte, Special Education Director for the school district, Roxane West, addressed the room filled with representatives from the businesses being honored and the students who took part in the program.
During her address, West said, “We knew we had a good thing last year with this program, but we just didn’t know how good until we started this school year.”
West’s words were prompted by the fact that she said more businesses and students took part this year in the program, which allows students to get real work experience.
West went on to say that the success of this program was evident after students came back this school year already with an idea of where they wanted to work.
“We had students coming back this year telling us where they wanted to work and their career goals,” said West. “That was huge for some of our students because it gives them an option in life.”
West went on to say that through this program “students have become more skilled, more motivated, very loyal, and committed employees in the workforce.”
West then went on to share a Dr. Seuss quote, which says, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
The special education director then thanked the businesses for caring “a whole lot.”
West said, “Because of the care, love and commitment you have to our students, you are going to see things change for the better in our community and world.”
Those in attendance then heard from Jolan Jolivette with the Governor’s Office of Disabilities and Affairs, before the students and businesses that partook in this program were presented with a gift for their work and commitment to the work based learning program.
Students who took part in the program this year were: Tyler Ardoin, Jon Fontenot and Marcus West from Basile High; Carlondus Ardoin, Trevor Atchinson, Caprica Goodwin and Tamara Wilson from Mamou High; Corryn Anderson, Erin Bellard, Tyree Desselle, Carlin Dick, Maisey Girouard, Tyler Johnson, Colby Leggett, Shaylor Myles, Corinthians Roberts, Treliney Sam and Kayla Thomas from Pine Prairie High; and Ronderkus Ben, Brittany Bradshaw, James Castille, Rachel Doucet, Cody Fontenot, Olivia Launey, Kelsey Smith, Kianna Thomas, Justin Thompson and Nikyeasha Wilson from Ville Platte High.
Local businesses who employed these students were: Landreneau’s Grocery Story, Deville’s Grocery Store, the Village of Pine Prairie, Prairie Manor Nursing Home, Pine Prairie Library, Basile Library, Basile High School, Mamou Library, Soileau’s Department Store, Paul’s Meat Market, the Ville Platte Gazette, EPSB Warehouse, EPSB Media Center, Doug Ashy, Industrial Service and Supply, Heritage Manor Nursing Home, James Stephens Montessori, Champagne’s and Ville Platte High School.
Also there to congratulate the students and to thank the businesses at the event were School Superintendent Darwan Lazard, Assistant Superintendent Mike Lombas, and school board president, Wayne Dardeau.