Evangeline Parish 4-H Awards banquet held recently

The 15th Annual 4-H Awards and Recognition Program and Centennial Celebration was held Tuesday, May 13, at the Ville Platte Civic Center. Evangeline Parish’s outstanding youth, organizational leaders, Hall of Fame recipients, sponsors, parents and activity leaders in the 4-H program were recognized.

The 4-H Key Club Award is presented to a high school 4-H member, and the Jr. Award of Excellence is presented to an elementary 4-H member. Only one-half of one percent of the parish 4-H enrollment can receive these awards. The 4-H’er must be an outstanding club member in their club and in the parish 4-H program. Receiving the Key Club Award was Mallory Aimee’ Daire, Sacred Heart High School. Receiving the Jr. Award of Excellence were Benjamin Luke Bertrand, Basile High School; Brad Preston Fontenot, Sacred Heart Elementary; and Cameron Barry Fontenot, Sacred Heart Elementary.

The State 4-H Portfolio winner was also recognized. Abigail Daire, Sacred Heart Elementary, was a state winner in the Junior Achievement Grade Seven Traditional Project Records. She received a $75 savings bond.

Two scholarships were awarded to a 4-H’er on this evening. Daniel Craig Manuel, Sacred Heart High School, received the $100 Louisiana 4-H Foundation Parish Scholarship for Senior 4-H Achievement, and a $1500 Scott Tractor Company 4-H Scholarship.

The backbone of the 4-H program is the volunteer 4-H leader. Leaders receiving the bronze clover were: Terri Fontenot, Bayou Chicot fourth - fifth; and Valencia Frank Bayou Chicot fourth - fifth; Tonya Guillory, Bayou Chicot sixth - eighth; Nettie Jeansonne, Bayou Chicot sixth - eight; Mitzi McDaniel, Evangeline Central; Dwayne Fontenot, Mamou fifth - eighth; Jan Fontenot, Sacred Heart Elementary fourth - sixth and seventh - eighth; Ashley Rider, Vidrine Elementary sixth - eighth; Aimee Doucet, W.W. Stewart fourth, with one year of service; Scott Parks, Volunteer Leader; Tammy Hammond, Pine Prairie fourth, and Vikkie Roddy, Vidrine sixth - eighth, with two years of service; Natalie Fontenot, Evangeline Central; Natalie Graser, Evangeline Central; Robin Fontenot, Mamou Elementary fourth; and Amanda Vidrine, Sacred Heart High ninth - 12th, with three years of service; Angie McGehee, W.W. Stewart fourth; Margaretta Fontenot, PinePrairie High ninth - 12th; and Stephanie Fontenot, Sacred Heart fourth - sixth and seventh - eighth, with four years of service.

Leaders receiving the silver clover were: Natalie Bertrand, Basile fifth - eighth; and Leah Hollier, Ville Platte High seventh - 12th, with five years of service; Becky Arnaud, Mamou Elementary fourth; Dalayne Veillon, Ville Platte Elementary fourth; and Angie Fusilier, Volunteer Leader, with six years of service; Lisa Tujaque, Ville Platte High fifth - sixth; and Karen Aguillard, Vidrine fourth - fifth, with eight years of service.

Leaders receiving the gold clover were: Susan Bellon, Basile High ninth - 12th, and Debby Brunet, Chataignier fourth - eighth, with 11 years of service; Beth Daire, Mamou Elementary fourth and Jr. Leadership Club, with 15 years of service; and Gerald Reed, Mamou ninth - 12th, with 25 years of service.

During this centennial year of 4-H, 100 individuals have been inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame. Two of these inductees are from Evangeline Parish. Sharon Fontenot and Jim Shipp are recipients of this recognition. During the evening program, they were recognized for their work that they have accomplished with the youth of the parish.

The Outstanding Business Supporter Award was presented to KVPI Radio Station. Accepting the award were Bonnie Fontenot and Cheryl Debaillon.

The Outstanding Man Volunteer Leader for Evangeline Parish was presented to Greg Monier, and The Outstanding Woman Leader Award was presented to Natalie Bertrand.

The Outstanding 4-H Member Award was presented to Mallory Daire, a Sacred Heart High School 4-H member. She is the daughter of Beth Daire and Joey Daire. The Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau sponsored the scholarship for the Outstanding 4-H member, and the Evangeline Parish Volunteers for Family and Community presented a clover pen set to the recipient.

Jessie Johnson, one of the first 4-H club members in Evangeline Parish, prepared a presentation on his experiences as a 4-H club member.

Special guests of the program were: Dr. Paul Coreil, Director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and Vice Chancellor of the LSU AgCenter; Brent Coreil, president of the Evangeline Parish 4-H Foundation; Bob Manuel, president of the Evangeline Parish Police Jury; Greg Monier, Evangeline Parish Livestock executive board member; Lynn Landreneau, president of the Evangeline Parish Volunteers for Family and Community; Beth Daire, Evangeline Parish 4-H Foundation board member; Keith Fontenot, Evangeline Parish county agent; Wayne Vidrine, Evangeline Parish 4-H Foundation board member; Angie Fusilier, 4-H volunteer leader; Ted Soileau, vice president of the Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau; and Beau Foxworth, Evangeline Parish 4-H Junior Leadership Club president.

Sponsors for this Annual Awards Program were: Evangeline Parish Farm Bureau, City of Ville Platte, Evangeline Parish Volunteers for Family and Community, Frenella Saucier, Luke Fontenot, Eric Soileau, T-Boy’s Slaughter House Meat Market and Grocery, Citizen Bank, Scott Foundation, E. Smith Plumbing, Inc., Evangeline Bank & Trust Co., L&V Superette, Mikey’s Donut King, Morein Motors Co., Inc., Rick’s R.V. Sales and Service, Inc., Thrifty Way Pharmacy, Vidrine Community Clinic LLC, Ville Platte Pharmacy, Ranch Supply and Trophy Creations.