Educator honored during Arbor Day program

By Lisa Soileaux

Assistant Editor

During a 9:30 a.m. ceremony held Friday, Jan. 16, the 2009 Annual Arbor Day Program was held at South Rayne Elementary by members of the Rayne Garden Club.

This year’s program was held in memory of the late Theresa Leonards LeBlanc, long-time teacher and principal of the school.

A number of family members were hand for the special ceremony held in the school gym due to extreme weather conditions.

Family members in attendance were Gerhard “Boo” LeBlanc, Hailey LeBlanc, Hudson LeBlanc, Holden LeBlanc, Alfred “Popcorn” and Dot LeBlanc, Jane Leonards, Matt and Anne L. Guidry, and Emma Guidry.

Garden Club Chairperson Antonia Hoffpauir was assisted by members of the school’s Beta Club during the program, including Blair Bergeron, Victoria Richard, Jinereal Wheeler, Aireal Gardiner, Keosha Francis, and their sponsor, Lisa Pizzolatto.

Students read two poems, ““Southern Magnolia” and “hy We Plant A Tree” for the ceremony.

Garden Club members in attendance were president Sepha Guidry, secretary Lisa Soileaux and treasurer Josette Habetz.

The Rayne Garden Club donated a Southern Magnolia (Little Gem) to be planted later when weather permits.