Delta Kappa Gamma ends their year

On April 20, 2011, the educators of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International held their end of the year banquet at Riverfront Restaurant. The group began by reciting the Collect and Mission Statement: “The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.”

Society president, Hope Hebert, called upon Regina Caillouet, first vice president, to recite the pledge.

The invocation was given by recording secretary, Claudell Thibodeaux.

Hope Hebert introduced all special guests, including new members invited to join the society next fall. The group included Erika Trahan, Jennifer Saltzman, Tasha Trahan, Lauren Landry, Cindy Hargrave, Elizabeth Perry, Laurie Broussard.

The president, Mrs. Hebert, presented perfect attendance awards to members Claudell Thibodeaux, Sadie Suire, Carolyn Sirmon, Timala Melancon, Regina Caillouet, Melanie Hensgens, Rebecca Menard, and Charlene Trahan, along with herself.

The society then had the presentation of awards. Juliette Langlinais, second vice president, presented the Red Apple award, which was donated to a person, not an employee of the Vermilion Parish School Board, who has done a great deal for education, schools, and teachers. The recipient this year was Nathan Granger of Erath. Mr. Granger is the 1986 graduate of Erath High School. He is married to Dana Langlinais Granger, and they have four children Ross, an 8th grader, Mason, a 5th grader, Hannah, a 4th grader and Regan, 3 years old.

Nathan is one of the founders of the Quality Companies and Quality Sports Authority, Inc. Nathan and his companies have always been strong supporters of public education and athletics in Vermilion Parish. He is a continuous supporter of Jr. Beta, Teacher Appreciation Week, Project Graduation events, and the Erath Band program.

The Quality Sports Plex that Nathan renovated is a completely turfed indoor facility that includes batting gates, pitcher mounds, soccer and field goals, where young athletes from all over the parish can practice their skills at no cost to the school board..

After hurricanes Rita and Ike, the Quality Companies made numerous donations to do repairs to the physical plants at Erath Hiigh and Middle Schools.

Next, the Golden Apple award was presented to the society member who has given much of herself over the years supporting the society at many levels, and especially in the society of Alpha Epsilon itself. Nellie Broussard presented this award to her former teacher and mentor, Mrs. Inez L. Vincent of Erath, a former home economics teacher at Morganza High School in 1943-44, and Erath High School from 1944-74. During the years, 1975 to date, Mrs. Inez has worked in several assignments throughout Vermilion Parish as a replacement teacher, a substitute teacher at all levels, and a judge of many contests. Those who followed in her shoes besides Nellie Broussard, were Beth Hebert and Dana L. Granger, all members of Delta Kappa Gamma at one time. Home economics classes are now referred to as family and consumer education classes.

Mrs. Vincent graduated from then SLI (Southwestern Louisiana Institute) with a BS. Today we know that school as ULL (University of Louisiana at Lafayette).

She belongs to the Louisiana Teachers Association, the Louisiana Vocational Association, Vermilion Parish Home Economics Association, American Home Economics Association, Vermilion Retired Teachers Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She has been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma since 1956, 54 years now.

In her community she is very active in her church, community activities, and the UL Alumni Association functions.

Mrs. Vincent was married to J. D. Vincent, now deceased, and they had two boys, Thomas M. Vincent and Timothy J. Vincent. She has three grandchildren, Alison Leigh Vincent-Collier, Bryant S. Vincent, and Jacques N. Vincent.

Her hobbies include line dancing, travel, crafts, gardening and yard work, as well as helping people in the community. Her day begins at 3:30 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. She can cook just about anything, and is known for her sand tarts. Many students would take those from the department to sample them. When she confronted them about it, they always said they had not touched them. Yet, they had powdered sugar on their chins- a definite give away.

She is very proud of the many students she has taught who accomplished much success and enjoyed the years she spent touching the lives of so many people through her teaching career.

Every year the society presents a scholarship to a deserving senior in the parish. This year’s award was presented by treasurer, Melanie Hensgens of Gueydan, to Jennah Cabrol, daughter of Buddy and Marilyn Cabrol, all of Abbeville. The recipient has to be planning to pursue a career in education to get this award, as well as meeting several other criteria.

Everyone then enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Riverfront chefs.

Following the meal, the group listened to the very entertaining talk by Epsilon State First Vice President, Martha Turner of Haughton, LA, who was the guest speaker for the event. She was accompanied by State Executive Secretary, Dolores Hackler of Shreveport, LA.

President, Hope Hebert, gave closing remarks, door prizes, and announced the singing of the Delta Kappa Gamma song. Members joined hands with all and sang together about what educators do every day, a very enjoyable evening!