2010 Recognition Banquet a Big Success
VITA held its 29th Annual Recognition Banquet at Vermilionville on Sunday, September 26, 2010. Mistress of Ceremonies was Bernadette Lee Deckard of KPEL 96.5 News Radio. Lafayette and Opelousas students and tutors were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the VITA program.

Bernadette Lee Deckard of KPEL 96.5 News Radio was the Mistress of Ceremonies at the 29th Annual Recognition Banquet.
Student testimonies were given by Gregory Elaire, a Lafayette student, and Verna Sago of Opelousas. The tutor address was given by Brenda Glover. Brenda Daniel led the "Pledge of Allegiance". James Jenkins said the closing prayer. Musical entertainment was provided for everyone's enjoyment, and special thanks to Jay Caldwell for his photographs of the event.
Achievement Award Recipients

Student
Cory Bordelon
Theresa Cormier
Sunny Palmer
Soriya Lim
Patricia DeVille

Tutor
Cheryl Blum
Janvier Balser
Carol Antosiak
Janel Fontenot
Stephanie Chavis
Lora Watley
Outstanding Tutors

Evelyn Hackett
Joyce Henson
Phyllis Ledet
Johanna Murdock
Paulette Rawdon


Think Like a Winner Award
Gregory Elaire
The Martin Award
Akossiwa Afanou
Bob Chaney
The Don Littlefield Memorial Award
Ronald Fontenot
The Donna Groth Delhomme Memorial Award
Bruce Snow


Board Members Sworn in by Clerk of Court

The 2010-2011 VITA Board members were sworn in by Clerk of Court, Louis Perret on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 in the VITA Training Room. Bruce Snow, new to the board this year, and 15 other members took part in the oath of office. Out-going board president, John Hiatt, received a clock commemorating his 3 years of service. Dr. Huey McCauley, retired ULL Director of The Office of Student Teaching, will act as new president. Other officers include: Vice President, Bill Bowers, Treasurer, John Hebert, and Secretary, Gene Cole.

Louis Perret, Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court swears in VITA Board.

Driver's License Class Offered
Daytime students were able to improve their understanding of Louisiana driving laws and regulations in November and December with the help of volunteer tutor, Michael Lell. A UL student, Lell designed and taught the class to help VITA students take and successfully pass the driving test. Students learned about road signs, road markings, defensive driving, and safe-driving techniques. "I really like the way Michael is teaching the class," said Brenda Daniel, a VITA student. "I'm learning a lot, and I'm more confident because he's helping me understand it better than if I studied on my own." The class will be offered again later in 2011.


Downtown Alive! Good Music, Great Raffle
VITA was the featured non-profit organization at a recent Downtown Alive! concert on Friday, November 5, 2010. The popular South Louisiana band, Lil' Band of Gold, performed at Parc San Souci.

VITA hosted a booth where event participants learned more about becoming a tutor and bought 50/50 raffle tickets. Tickets were drawn at 8:00 pm. Braxton Perez of Baton Rouge won, with the rest of the proceeds going to VITA.
Downtown Alive events are scheduled in the fall and spring on Friday nights at Parc San Souci and Parc Internationale. Each week, a non-profit has an opportunity to be featured. Throughout the event announcements are made about the non-profits and their missions.

Special thanks to the staff, to all who purchased raffle tickets and to our tutors, Carissa McDaniel and Angela Fangue who helped with the raffle.


Angela Fangue, Emily Marcantel, and Norma Guidry under VITA tent at Downtown Alive!
VITA Student Becomes US Citizen

Natasha, a physician in her home country of Russia, hopes to become an accredited doctor in the United States.
Natasha Allgood, a VITA student of four years, recently became an American citizen on May 27, 2010. Natasha, a physician in her home country of Russia, is currently working as a technician in a local Ear, Nose, and Throat and Allergy Clinic but hopes to become an accredited doctor in the United States. A big step in that plan was to become a citizen.

Natasha came to America in 1994 and married her husband, John. She learned about VITA from a friend
and was soon matched with Faith Hamilton, her tutor. "Faith is not just my tutor, she is my best friend too," states Natasha.

Natasha credits her success to the student/ tutor coordinators at VITA as well as her husband, relatives, friends, and colleagues.







Christmas Coffee Held at Lafayette Museum

VITA tutor Lynne Castle and her student Delores Labbe enjoying the Christmas Coffee

Students and tutors gathered at the Lafayette Museum to celebrate the holiday season on Wednesday, December 15, 2010. Guests of the museum toured the house, drank coffee and punch, sang carols, and enjoyed sweets from 10 am to 12 pm. "I had a ball!" said Delores Labbe, a VITA student. "And, my tutor [Lynne Castle] did too."
The highlight of the event for many students was the caroling. Audrey Martin, a part-time VITA staff member and tutor, led the carols and stated, "I enjoyed the highly spirited singing of everyone and was amazed by how many good voices joined in."

The highlight of the event for many students was the caroling. Audrey Martin, a part-time VITA staff member and tutor, led the carols and stated, "I enjoyed the highly spirited singing of everyone and was amazed by how many good voices joined in."

The historic Lafayette Museum was the home of Alexandre Mouton, the 12th governor of Louisiana and built by the founder of Vermilionville, Jean Mouton. The antebellum house collection includes paintings and
antiques of the period, as well as Mardi Gras costumes from past balls.

This year is VITA's second Christmas Coffee at the Lafayette Museum.


Audrey Martin leads students and tutors in Christmas carols.

Huval, Newest Member of Opelousas Staff

Amy Huval is the newest part-time member of the Opelousas staff. A mother of two girls, Joie (3) and Marah (7 months) and married to Troy, Amy manages the office in the afternoon by assisting the teachers, registering new students, creating diagnostic reports and writing student educational prescriptions. Amy is a 2009 graduate of the Opelousas School of Cosmetology, a certified paralegal and expects to graduate in May 2011 from ULL in Criminal Justice. Amy hopes to one day be a Forensic Auditor. Welcome, Amy!





Good News
Dancilla and Benoit McCarthy became US citizens in October 2010.

Inez Sibilia received her La. Driver's license in October.

Delores Labbe read to preschool students in November.

Tutor Support Meeting
January 25, 2011
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Tutor Training Workshop
February 10 & 17, 2011
5:00 - 7:30pm