From dream to reality

Audry Spencer surely knew upon waking up Friday morning that it was going to be a good day.
The Empowering the Community for Excellence Learning Center that she has spent the past two years getting up and running was having its grand opening. Friends, family (husband Chester along with children Takia and Quincy), community leaders, staff members, students and former students were all going to be there to celebrate with her as her dream became a reality.
However, there were still a couple of “blessings” she hadn’t anticipated that turned Spencer’s happy afternoon into an emotional, victorious day for her and the city of Crowley.
Crowley Alderwoman Dr. Ezora Proctor welcomed those in attendance.
“This is a milestone for Crowley,” she said. “This building was put together with pride and the contributions of everyone in this building.”
After introducing the dignitaries in attendance, including District 42 Rep. Jack Montoucet who was instrumental in helping Spencer reach “her goal,” Proctor turned the microphone over to Spencer.
“Good things happen to those who wait,” she said, her voice cracking. “I want to thank my husband (Chester) for backing me up through all of this. We are supposed to be retired and enjoying our lives ... well I am.
“The time and money it took to do this shows how much this city believes in our kids,” added Spencer. “This is not about me it’s about saving our kids.”
Spencer went on to thank numerous businesses, city organizations and groups that were instrumental in helping her open the center.
Crowley Chamber of Commerce Chairman Kerry Gibson then took the mic and made an announcement that under normal circumstances is saved for a later date.
“We are holding our Chamber of Commerce banquet on May 14,” he said. “But we’ve already decided that Audry Spencer will be our Humanitarian of the Year.”
The emotions that Spencer had been fighting to hold back came out as she and husband Chester shared a tight hug as tears ran down their faces.
Montoucet, who has been working with Spencer since her center was just an idea, then spoke.
“Two years ago this little lady came into my office and I immediately knew I was in big trouble,” he said to the laughter of those in attendance. “I have a lot of people come into my office with dreams that remain dreams. Audry is a special woman and through her perseverance her dream came through.”
Just when Spencer probably thought that her day couldn’t get much better, there was still one more surprise in store for her.
Since she began working with students in her first location in a small house on Western Avenue, she had been trying to obtain a van that would enable her to pick up the children who had no mode of transportation to get to the center.
However, when Robert Cook and Art LeBlanc Jr. with Sterling Automotive Group approached her and handed her a key Spencer, her husband and nearly everyone inside the building rushed outside to get a look at the white minivan that they donated to the learning center.
After Spencer hugged Cook, LeBlanc and nearly everyone else within arm’s reach, it was time for Crowley Mayor Greg Jones to cut the ribbon, officially opening the Empowering the Community for Excellence Learning Center, which is already tutoring 91 children.
“In 1959 I fell in love and married this beautiful woman,” said Chester Spencer. “We had two wonderful children. Now we have 91 of them.”