Annual Evangeline Parish 4-H Awards banquet held

Emily Deshotel, president of the Evangeline Parish 4-H Junior Leadership Club, welcomed her fellow 4-Her’s, parents and supporters to the annual 4-H Award night held Tuesday, May 10, at the Crawfish Barn. They honored 4-H club members, leaders, and sponsors who have assisted the Evangeline Parish 4-H program during the 2021-2022 year. She then introduced Larry Fontenot, the current Evangeline Parish 4-H Foundation President. He said, “We on the board try very hard to make sure that this 4-H Club has everything they need to be successful. Between enrichment programs and 4-H programming the club continues to grow and are continually learning new things. We are going to do everything we can to make sure this continues. We think that everyone should be a part of 4-H. Young kids, teens, and adult volunteers are all needed to continue. We are blessed to have so many in the community that recognize how important it is to support Mrs. Kim and the kids. So, I say it’s our job as parents and community members to make sure this support continues. Make sure that your kids and grandkids join. Call the office and see how you can help. That’s how we are going to make sure that the youth here in Evangeline grow into adults that will run this community and become tomorrow’s leaders.”
Following Fontenot’s speech, the awards for the evening were presented.
Esther Boe, Central Region Coordinator, presented a special award for the first time. The Junior Ag Leadership Mentor Award was presented to Benjamin Romero, Ville Platte High School, son of Paul and Holly Romero, “for putting himself out there and bringing back what he learned to not only our 4-H Club, but his FFA chapter as well.”
2022 4-H Golden
Clover Award
Receiving the Golden Clover award were Aadyn Darbonne, Sacred Heart Elementary, son of Jason and Brandi Darbonne; and Emily Duos, Sacred Heart Elementary, daughter of Ross and Robyn Duos.
2022 4-H Emerald
Achievement
Award
Receiving the Emerald Achievement award were Collin Deville, son of Andrew and Haley Deville; and Grace Bordelon, daughter of John and Melanie Bordelon
Outstanding 4-H
Member Award
There were two members this year who have been identified as an Outstanding 4-H Member. Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau sponsors this award every year and we are very thankful to be able to offer this to our members on their behalf. Farm Bureau President, Mr. Scott Fontenot presented the awards. He said, “I am very proud to be here representing Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau. We on the board are so glad to support the 4-H Club and recognize some seniors here tonight. We see them grow up going to the fishing clinic all of the way to 4-H University. We have sponsored this award for many years and hope our 4-H members use it to help build a great future for themselves.”
This year’s first recipient of the Outstanding 4-H Member Award, Madison Courville, Mamou High School, the daughter of Heath and Jessica Aucoin, has been actively involved in the Evangeline Parish 4-H Club Program for nine years and has been an active member of the Jr. Leadership Club for six years. She has placed major emphasis on her Citizenship project. She has volunteered more than any Junior Leader in her four years of high school. She has attended 4-H University in Baton Rouge, AgMagic and won many awards at Achievement Day, among other awards for participation in contests. She was among only 4 from our parish selected to attend the Southern Region Junior Leadership Conference in Tennessee. She has completed all levels of the training necessary to be a camp counselor. She is a very responsible and enthusiastic counselor. As a member of the Junior Leadership club, she has taken an active part in our service learning projects and has also served in many roles. The projects include Cancer Awareness, volunteering at the Nursing Home and many clean-ups. She has assisted with many parish activities, workshops, and clinics. She has also helped with many successful fundraisers for the parish Jr. Leadership club. This young woman’s leadership skills, hard work, and true love of the 4-H program has earned her the honor of Evangeline Parish Outstanding 4-H Member for 2021-2022.
The second recipient of the Outstanding 4-H Member Award, Benjamin Fontenot, Sacred Heart High School, the son of Patrick Fontenot and Nikki Fontenot has been actively involved in the Evangeline Parish 4-H Club Program for nine years and has been an active member of the Jr. Leadership Club for six years.He has placed major emphasis on his Leadership project. He has volunteered and participated in the almost every Science related activity we have held in his 4 years of High School. He has attended 4-H University in Baton Rouge, AgMagic and won many awards at Achievement Day, among other awards for participation in these contests. He has competed in Shooting Sports, Hunting Skills, Fishing, and Outdoor Skills as a high school member. As a member of the Junior Leadership club, he has taken an active part in our service learning projects and has also served in many roles. The projects include Gun Safety, Homelessness, Cancer Awareness, volunteering at the Nursing Home and clean-ups. He has assisted with many parish activities, workshops, and clinics. He has also helped with many successful fundraisers for the parish Jr. Leadership club. This young man’s leadership skills, hard work, and true love of the 4-H program has earned him the honor of Evangeline Parish Outstanding 4-H Member for 2021-2022.
Scholarship Winners
Boe, presented scholarships to the following students:
Emily Deshotel, Mamou High School, daughter of Vince and Stacey Deshotel, state winner in the amount of $300 for the HC Sanders Memorial Scholarship, as well as state winner for the $100 Louisiana 4-H Foundation Parish Scholarship for Senior 4-H Achievement is:
Receiving the Scott Truck & Tractor Co. Scholarship each in the amount of $250 dollars were: Mena Newman, member at large, daughter of David and Tammy Newman; and Emily Deshotel, Mamou High School, daughter of Vince and Stacey Deshotel.
Graduate Senior Honor Cords
Graduating students receiving senior 4-H honor cords were:
•Madison Courville, Mamou High School, daughter of Heath/Jessica Aucoin and Nick Courville.
•Emily Deshotel, Mamou High School, daughter of Vince and Stacey Deshotel.
•Jordan Edwards, Ville Platte High School, son of Tasha Edwards.
•Lillian Guillory, Mamou High School, daughter of Chris and Jhanae Guillory.
•Olivia Mayeaux, Mamou High School, daughter of Jerrod and Daphney Mayeaux.
•Josie Soileau, Mamou High School, daughter of Ryan and Lori Soileau.
•Cameron Vizinat, Ville Platte High School, son of Chasity Vizinat and the late Stacy Howerton.
•Benjamin Fontenot, Sacred Heart High School, son of Patrick Fontenot and Nikki Fontenot.
Outstanding 4-H
Volunteer Award
Sharon Fontenot was honored as the Outstanding 4-H Volunteer Leader for Evangeline Parish, She has touched the 4-H program in many areas and for many years and has taken time to make our club a priority. She has helped with just about every single event. She has trained kids for 4-H University. She has gotten supplies and helped them prepare for contests. She has led 4-H workshops for the younger kids with the help of our Junior Leaders. A volunteer that can help their members reach goals, become stronger, more confident people, and inspire them by cheering them on and keeping them on track makes a 4-H Club what it is and helps it grow stronger. Todd Fontenot said of Fontenot, “Volunteers like her are so special to the 4-H member and to our 4-H program and I truly appreciate all she has done.”
Outstanding 4-H Business
Supporter Award
The Outstanding Business Supporter Award was the final award of the night. Ryan and Jamie Vidrine, owners of Flat Town Hardware, Deville said, “The business we honor for its support of 4-H is no stranger to Evangeline Parish and the surrounding area, having been here for many years. I wanted to award a business this year that has helped 4-H for many years. They have taken their own time, products from their business, and even money to help with activities like our Shooting Sports program, Livestock program, Junior Leader Raffle, 4-H University, and our Awards Night and Junior Winners Trip. We all know what a small community we have here in the parish. This year and many others this business has voluntarily contributed above and beyond. They were asked by Junior Leaders to help. They didn’t hesitate. They threw in during livestock season to help support the show and bought animals from more than one exhibitor without missing a beat. They helped to make the junior winner trip happen without a thought that they had already given this year and others. When someone embraces a whole community like they do and gives so much of themselves in time and effort we like to show them how much they are appreciated.”