Kicking the tires

The Evangeline Parish School District’s Work Based Program allows students to kick the tires on career options by placing them with jobs in different businesses around the parish. One student from Mamou High School, whose job included literally kicking the tires, went the extra mile on his way to becoming the Outstanding Work Based Student of the Year.
“I want to thank the school board for the opportunity and especially Mr. Paul (Deculus) for everything,” said Steven Tre Manuel at the Work Based Learning Appreciation Luncheon held at the Ville Platte Civic Center on Thursday, March 5.
Manuel, over the school year, has worked for Deculus at Vidrine’s Tire Center in Mamou.
“I was fortunate enough to have been assigned Tre,” Deculus said, “and Tre quickly became part of our team. He displayed an excellent work ethic. He showed up on time, which is very important when dealing with me. He had an attitude that was willing to accept any task assigned to him including housekeeping.”
He continued, “He is by all means employable as a graduate, and, most importantly, I would trust Tre to work on my vehicle personally.”
Deculus purchased Vidrine’s Tire Center last year and began his remarks during the luncheon by saying, “Since (last year) I further developed that business and established my own clientele. I’ve also learned to build relationships within the Town of Mamou as well as the surrounding communities. Relationships among small businesses and civic groups are very important and vital to any thriving culture.”
The following are the other students in the program who were recognized at the luncheon:
Basile High School- Gabriel Myers.
Pine Prairie High School- Logan Stelly, Kaitlyn Chapelle, Katelyn Fontenot, Tony Taylor, Jillian Toussaint, and Tylan Jagneaux.
Mamou High School- Jafferria Doucet, Jean Pierre Flowers, Katelyn Thomas, Kelsey Berzas, Adam Enicke, Kevin Hall, and Logan Langley.
Ville Platte High School- Jared Catille, Aaron Dupre, Patrick Dupre, Alonzo Freeman, Xabriane Gallow, Jakaylon Wilson, Jahmal Byers, Triston Edmond, Isaiah Gallow, Bethany LaFleur, and Shyanne Mayer.
Aside from Vidrine’s Tire Center, the students were employed at the following:
Basile- D-n-S Garage.
Pine Prairie- Deville’s Meat & Grocery, Pine Prairie High School, and Pine Prairie Branch Library.
Mamou- Lyons Mart, Savoy Care Center, Mamou Branch Library, Rhonda’s Flower Shop, and Spring Market.
Ville Platte- Ville Platte High School, Ville Platte Elementary, James Stephens Montessori, EPSB Warehouse, Doug Ashy Building Materials, New Image, EPSB Media Center, Champagne’s, Sassy Creation, Heritage Manor, Ville Platte Gazette, Cottage Couture, Tincy’s Corner, and Teet’s Food Store.