‘Pathways to Success’ program will connect students to those who have achieved

Anyone who has reached a pinnacle of success in his or her field did not do so over night.
That nothing is achieved without hard work will be the message to more than 3,000 Vermilion Parish students during a week-long program in February.
Thanks to a collaborative effort between the Vermilion Parish School Board and the Vermilion Children and Youth Planning Board, the “Pathways to Success” program will bring those who have achieved to speak directly to students who have yet to form their own paths.
Tracy Davenport, a former public defender in Vermilion Parish, who now works in District Attorney Keith Stutes’ office, is the chair of the children and youth planning board. She explained that the “Pathways” program has expanded in scope since its early stages.
“The program started out as a career week,” Davenport said. “We have decided to go beyond that and make it more about providing guidance and overcoming obstacles.”
The program will focus on qualities and characteristics that are common among those who have achieved various degrees of success.
“We are going to have guest speakers from the community and Abbeville alumni coming from out of town to speak to the children,” Davenport said. “We want the speakers to talk about the characteristics that got them where they are.”
A booklet featuring bios on the speakers will be provided to the students during programs at J.H. Williams Middle on Feb. 9, LeBlanc Elementary on Feb. 10, Herod Elementary on Feb. 11, Eaton Park Elementary on Feb. 12 and Abbeville High on Feb. 13.
“It will be like a guidance book for the children,” Davenport said.
Organizers will continue to accept volunteers to speak through this Thursday, Jan. 22. Anyone wishing to take part in the program can contact Natalie Johnson at natalie@casaofsola.org.
James Brad Prudhomme, supervisor of child welfare and attendance for the Vermilion Parish School Board, said this is a great program because it leads by example.
“We want the kids to see how to become successful,” Prudhomme said. “We want these kids to see people who have come through the education system here and how important it is to get an education and persevere.”
Prudomme said other districts have taken notice.
“There is a lot of interest in this,” he said. “I have talked to people in other parishes and they want to see what we are doing.”
Vermilion Parish Superintendent Jerome Puyau said he is pleased that the parish is taking part in such an endeavor.
“This is a great opportunity for our students to get a perspective from people who worked their way up and become productive in their lives,” Puyau said. “The program will show the students to have a goal and how to reach that goal.
“This brings the school system and the community together for one reason...to educate our kids.”