Vermilion Catholic completes $313,000 worth of improvements

It’s Thursday afternoon and a group of Vermilion Catholic students are practicing for their annual theater production. What makes this practice different are their surroundings. 
All new top-notch theater props that made this practice just a bit more exciting. The lights over the stage are now state of the art LED lights. A completely new sound system, including stage mics and a wireless mic system will provide a greatly enhanced audio experience.
Students in the Drama Club love their new equipment.
VC junior Kaylee Guidry said, “The new lights on the stage look amazing and the sound system sounds incredible. So much better than the systems we had before.”
“The addition of new sound and light systems adds an element that
really brings our theater productions to life. I am very happy with these renovations,” said VC junior Brandt Golden.
Surrounding the stage providing a beautiful backdrop for their performance are brand new black curtains. As you enter the lobby of the auditorium, you will notice that the vending machines have been removed and the flooring and lights have been replaced. Movie style posters from the Drama Clubs last three productions grace the walls.
Continue into the VC auditorium, and you will be walking on brand new maroon carpet that extends down each isle and between the stage and front row. The total cost for the VC auditorium upgrade was $44,500. The purchase and installation of the new black curtain surrounding the stage, at a cost of $6,500, was the final project of a long-term investment campaign that began two years ago.
VC sophomore Link Hebert added, “With our newly installed lights and brand new curtains, we can better show our God-given talents to all. We are really appreciative.”
The capital campaign titled, “Invest in VC,” had a goal of raising $430,000, dedicated to long term school improvements. Over $280,000 was contributed through alumni, families and friends. Despite falling $150,000 short of their original goal, VC was able to complete all four of their slated projects and pay down a debt which was incurred during years of low enrollment. Part of the additional funding came from VC’s continuing increase in enrollment over the last three years.
School improvement projects completed over the last two years:
• 250 new lockers at a cost of $18,000. Donors were able to purchase locker dedications for $400. The new lockers replaced the original lockers installed when the school opened in 1967. 
• New student textbooks were purchased at a cost of $81,000. Each textbook cost an average of $90. The school raised $21,250 through honorary and memorial donations of $125 a textbook. The new textbooks include online student and teacher access with enhanced curriculum support. 
• Last year the school replaced their original wooden bleachers at a cost of $65,000. The gym was rededicated and named the Kim “Gidge” Guidry gymnasium. 
• The final project was the upgrading of the auditorium with new lights and sound systems, carpeting and stage curtains for a total cost of $44.500.
• Thanks to the “Invest in VC” capital campaign and the increased student enrollment, the school was able to pay $118,000 towards the retirement of the school’s debt.
Michele Meaux, the development director for VC, said, “It has been an incredible experience for me, as the Development Director, to see the support of our friends and families in providing our school with the resource and both the physical and fiscal improvements needed to carry us into the future. Our supporters are providing our students with an environment in which they will thrive and learn to serve Christ.”