Shining achievements recognized; donation accepted

By: TONY MARKS
Editor

As soft harmonies of “This Little Light of Mine” played in the background and blinking red, white, and blue lights on buttons and plastic swords illuminated a dark meeting room of the Evangeline Parish School Board, consciously and unconsciously competent teachers and principals of the year were recognized on Wednesday, June 22.
Teacher of the Year Coordinator Grace Sibley told the school board the school district here in Evangeline Parish is one of the few in the state per capita to have eight teachers or principals of the year to reach the state level.
Those recognized for their shining achievements were Cherie Fontenot, 2015-2016 overall state principal of the year winner, and Brandie Marcantel, both of James Stephens Montessori; Liz Chatelain, 2018-2019 principal of the year finalist from Mamou High School; Christine Bacon, 2016 elementary state principal semi-finalist, 1991 elementary state principal of the year finalist, and 2012 nominee for national distinguished principals award; Heather Demourelle, elementary state teacher of the year semi-finalist from James Stephens Montessori; Lisa Celestine, overall middle school state teacher of the year from Vidrine Elementary; Kayla Joseph Jones, middle school state teacher of the year from Chataignier Elementary; and Emee Aswell, this year’s high school teacher of the year semi-finalist from Ville Platte High School.
Also recognized were the national board certification educators and the retired former winners: Angelle Fusilier, Casey Fontenot, Julie Landreneau, Melissa Coreil, Cherie Fontenot, Kimberly Daire Soileau, the mother-daughter tandem of Sherrie Fusilier and Althea Young, Kay Fontenot, Kimberly Jorden Soileau, and Nina David.
The board later recognized the 2022 dual enrollment graduates from Louisiana State University Eunice. High School Supervisor Johnny Deshotel explained the dual enrollment program, “continues to offer high school students the opportunity to receive an associate degree at the same time they are graduating from high school.”
Erin Fontenot graduated from Ville Platte High School and received her associate degree in biological science. She plans on attending the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and major in biology with a concentration in medical and allied health. She then plans on becoming a dermatologist or a pediatrician.
Shaun Gaspard, of Basile High School, graduated with an associate degree in general studies. Also of Basile High School was Nathaniel Reece Romero, who obtained an associate degree in applied science in computer information and technology. Both were accepted into the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette where they will pursue a bachelor of science degree.
Later in the meeting, Hubert Mabe, on behalf of First Student, presented a $2,500 donation to the students attending the National BETA Convention.
“Those students in BETA work really hard to get where they are at and achieve what they achieve,” Mabe said. “For the ones who get invited to the National BETA Convention, we are very happy to provide this donation to help them achieve those goals.”
In other business, the school board recognized Dianna Johnson, JAG instructional specialist, for meeting the five National JAG Standards with the Ville Platte High School JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Program.