Aswell, Bellard earn honors

Walking up dust covered steps draped with a red carpet onto a flat-bed trailer that served as a makeshift stage to receive his Man of the Year Award was a man wearing grey medical scrubs. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School, Louisiana State University with a bachelor of science degree in zoology and chemistry, and LSU Medical School with a medical doctorate degree. He interned in mixed medicine at Lafayette Charity Hospital and did his residency in internal medicine at Lafayette Charity Hospital.
The man is Dr. Charles “Chuck” Aswell.
Walking up the same steps at the Chauncey Pitre Multipurpose Facility was Carleen Bellard, the executive director of Evangeline Community Action Agency, who received the Woman of the Year Award at the Evangeline Chamber of Commerce 2021 Annual Awards Banquet held Thursday, May 6.
Bellard began her career with the Evangeline Parish School Board as a lab technician after graduating from the University of Louisiana in 1991. She soon completed her national teacher’s examination and became an elementary science and English teacher for seven years. For the last 23 years, she held a variety of titles with Evangeline Community Action Agency before assuming the role of executive director four years ago. Earlier that day, she was awarded the Woman with Heart Award for Evangeline Parish from St. Landry-Evangeline United Way.
Also nominated for man of the year was Brian Ardoin from Top Cop Driving Academy, and also nominated for woman of the year were Annette Johnson from Kolder, Slaven, and Company, and Nicole Wenger from DryMax.
The night began with the presentation of the Farmer of the Year Award. It was presented to Tony Rozas, a third generation farmer and cattle rancher from Chataignier. He is a graduate of the LSU AgCenter’s Master Cattleman and Master Farmer Programs. He is active in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 911 Commission, Chataignier Water System, and Evangeline Parish Drainage District. He is a founding and current member of the Chataignier Volunteer Fire Department and a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus.
The award for Business Innovation of the Year was then presented to Cody Vidrine from Vidrine’s Ace Hardware. Also nominated were Butler and Co. Tree and Storm Recovery and LaVille Funeral Home.
Ashley Deville from Sign Gypsies Ville Platte won Young Business Person of the Year edging out a crowded field that also included Darion Arvie from Arvie’s Janitorial Services, Damon Blanchard from InVision Technical Solutions, Aubree Fontenot from Summer Swimming Lessons by Aubree and The Dance Place, Martin Jason from New Level Fitness, and Kayla Lazard from Kayla Lazard Photography.
The next award went to Dr. Armand Coreil from Coreil Veterinary Clinic for Business Person of the Year. The other nominees were Paul “T-Boy” Berzas from T-Boy’s Slaughter House and Dr. Brandon Fontenot with his medical practice.
The award for Business of the Year was presented to Boco’s Engine Service who mowed down the rest of the competition including InVision Technical Solutions, Mercy Regional Medical Center, New Horizons at Savoy Medical Center, T-Boy’s Slaughter House, and Top Cop Driving Academy.
All nominees received a certificate of recognition from Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, and all winners also received a certificate of congressional commendation from Congressman Mike Johnson.