4-H’ers speak; agenda items don’t net much discussion

The work the 4-H program is doing in Acadia Parish was never more evident than Monday night when two of the Acadia Parish 4-H Ambassadors spoke to the school board about their 4-H experiences.

County Agent Barrett Courville and 4-H Agent Megan Sarver introduced the ambassadors and explained that becoming a 4-H Ambassador involves an application process. Four-H Agent Kayla Segura was unable to attend due to another meeting being held at the LSU AgCenter.

“We select 10 kids from throughout the parish,” said Sarver. “They have to do an application process and an interview to be on this board.”

The ambassadors then travel to meetings to represent the 4-H program. Speaking on behalf of the ambassadors Monday night were Bryce Istre (Iota High) and Tabitha Leonards (Notre Dame).

Leonards reflected on the many experiences that 4-H has granted, joking that she had to condense the list otherwise it would be a long night.

“Today, I am here to tell you all of my own personal experience in the 4-H program,” she said. “I’m afraid, however, that doing so would take up all your time here, so I’m going to have to do a lot of condensing.”

Leonards spoke highly of the program she has been a member of for over nine years, due to the way her birthday fell. 

“Ever since the first year in third grade, the 4-H program has opened up many opportunities for me,” she said.

Those opportunities include joining the state’s Food and Fitness Board which has not only provided her with great knowledge, but many more through her work with the board as well as the chance, and the courage, to address meetings like the school board Monday night. She has also been afforded many traveling opportunities thanks to her involvement.

“I have met many youth and adults that have a great impact in my life and will remain life-long companions and inspiration,” aid Leonards. “Four-H has educated and impacted me beyond what I thought possible.

“I hope you encourage the youth you know to get involved in the 4-H program.”

For Istre, the program has not only provided wonderful experiences, but a second family.

“The 4-H program has impacted my life in numerous ways,” he said. “I have found my sense of purpose through this organization and I would not be the person I am today without it.”

Istre explained it was the 4-H program that taught him public speaking skills and how to be an effective leader. As a 4-H’er, Istre is a member of the Iota club’s Advisory Board as well as the parish’s and the state Citizenship Board. But, while the experiences have been fantastic for Istre, it is program as a whole that has molded him most in his teenage years.

“The overall impact 4-H has had on me as a teen is tremendous,” he said. “This 4-H program has provided me with a second family who always has my back.”

After the opening item pleasantries, the board moved onto action and routine items.

In action items, the board approved policy changes brought about by legislation.

In routine items, the next step with QZAB and the energy-efficiency project took place when, by roll call vote, the board officially approved incurring a debt for the bonds, outlined the bonds’ terms and conditions and delivering the bonds to Capital One in December. 

Voting “yea” were board members Doug LaCombe, John Suire, David Lalande, Gene Daigle, James Higginbotham and Milton Simar.

Voting nay was board member Lynn Shamsie.

Board member Israel Syria was absent from Monday’s meeting.

Also in routine items, the following were unanimously approved:

• Permission to advertise and receive proposals for available e-rate funds to be used to improve wireless and internet usage in schools was granted.

• A QZAB education plan was adopted.

• The verification certificate that verifies that all schools meet the QZAB 35 percent free and reduced requirement for participation eligibility in QZAB fund projects was adopted.

• The Budget and Finance Committee’s recommendation to approve the request to advertise and seek bids for band uniforms for Iota High School.

• The Budget and Finance Committee’s recommendation to reserve $75,000 of Fifth Ward School District No. 7 funds for instruction and technology in the ward.

• The Budget and Finance Committee’s recommendation to reserve $150,000 of Fifth Ward School District No. 7 funds for energy efficiency projects in the ward’s schools.

• The Budget and Finance Committee’s recommendation to reserve $300,000 of Iota-Egan Oilfield Consolidated School District No. 8 funds for energy efficiency projects in the district’s schools.

The school board’s committee meetings will be held Wednesday, Nov. 19, beginning at 5 p.m. and its December meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m.