The Evangeline Parish School Board met Wednesday evening in the School Board Media Center. It was standing room only as numerous students were recognized for their talents in music and art. Jim Boyne, Retired Music Teacher, has been working with several of the students and he presented three students who performed for the crowd. Ashanti Thomas of Ville Platte High School performed All I can do is Cry by Etta James, and Anna and Victoria Steckler of Bayou Chicot Elementary performed The Fight Song by Rachel Platt.
The District Students of the Year were announced:
5th Grade: Hannah Claire Manuel from Basille High School
8th Grade: Jace Vidrine from Bayou Chicot Elementary
12th Grade: Louis Henry Deville from Pine Prairie High School
Recognized as The Parent Volunteer of the Year from the State is Alisha Fontenot
Students placing at the Excellence in Art Show at Louisiana College were:
Averie Martello from Mamou High School – 1st place
Taylor Deville from Pine Prairie High School – 2nd place
Isac Calderon from Pine Prairie High School – 3rd place
2016 LSU Statewide Juried High School:
Averie Martello from Mamou High School
LAEA Youth Art Month 2016 Competition
Emma Manuel from Sacred Heart – Honorable Mention
Aniya Taylor from Bayou Chicot Elementary – 3rd place
2016 Scholastic Art Awards Southwest Art Region at Large
Taylar Deville from Pine Prairie High School – Gold Key Level
Noah Andrus from Mamou High School – Silver Key Level
Alex Soileau from Ville Platte High School – Honorable Mention
Three students have moved up and will be attending the FBLA Convention:
Seth Gautreaux from Pine Prairie High School
Court Fuller from Pine Prairie High School
Gabriel Cormier from Ville Platte High School
In other news, Superintendent, Toni Hamlin, reported that she and her staff watched the press conference of Governor, John Bel Edwards, and stated that K-12 Education can expect roughly $50 million in cuts because of the $792 million shortfall in the Louisiana Budget. She stated “It’s a wait and see type of situation, but we will not be staffing at 100% until we know how everything will turn out.” She also stated that the governor stated that the day after the Regular Session closes, they will begin a Special Session to work on financial issues.