Mailbag

To whom it may concern:

On May 30, 2024, an article was written by Rhett Manuel and published by the Ville Platte Gazette, titled “Versatility the key for the MVP Vidrine.” This article contained much good and accurate information however the captions contained false information that I would like retracted and corrected. I would also like this revision to be posted on Facebook as well. I am also giving you permission to publish this email if you so choose to do so. If you do choose to publish this email, I ask that you publish it in entirety or otherwise it could be misleading.
The caption under my photo in the article read, “An all-district second-teamer who felt disrespected was Jolie Vidrine.” This same statement was again printed on the image of the softball diamond underneath my name. This statement is completely false and misleading. I would like this statement retracted and a correction ran with an explanation, please. I would also like the softball diamond republished with a corrected caption. I never felt nor did I ever say that I felt disrespected as a Lady Trojan. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. A better description for the caption would have been, “Jolie Vidrine, a true leader and true utility player, was awarded the Evangeline Parish Softball MVP title. Not only did she provide crucial innings in the circle, but teams pitched around the Parish MVP. It’s hard to ignore that kind of impact.”
I am very thankful and honored to have been part of an amazing team. I am also thankful and honored to have been named Parish MVP for Evangeline Parish. Although I am honored, a title such as Parish MVP or all-district second team does not define me. What does define me is the commitment to myself and to God to try to be a better person today than I was yesterday, not only in softball but in all aspects of life. I am grateful for my God given talents and for the support of the community, school, family, coaches and my teammates.
I understand that a portion of this article is opinion and an editorial view, but I must disagree with the first sentence of the article . The first sentence reads, “It’s easy to see why the Evangeline Parish Softball MVP, Sacred Heart’s Jolie Vidrine, was disrespected throughout the year.” Again the word disrespected is used. I must reiterate that I never felt disrespected by anyone associated with Sacred Heart High School softball. I was a part of a amazing team that did great things and I look forward to a successful last season as a Lady Trojan. I hope that all of my softball friends can relate when I say WE is greater than ME.

Sincerely,
Jolie Vidrine