Thirtieth Recognition Banquet Honors Students and Tutors
On September 25, 2011, VITA held its 30th Annual Recognition Banquet at Vermilionville. Honoring students and tutors for their contributions to the program was the highlight of the evening. Bernadette Lee Deckard of KPEL 96.5 News Radio presided as Mistress of Ceremonies. A trio of very talented young musicians, Sixteen and Under, provided musical entertainment. Inspirational student testimonies were given by John Allen, a Lafayette

John Allen, a Lafayette student gives his testimonial.
student, and Jacob Robins, an Opelousas student. Kathy Swords delighted listeners with stories of tutoring ESL students. Jerry Caillier gave the invocation. Two ESL students, Gladys Gonzales and Fr. Jairo Castano led the "Pledge of Allegiance" and said the closing prayer, respectively. Special thanks to Jay Caldwell for his photographs of the event.

Student Achievement

Brenda Daniel
Susan Joyner
Xuan Le
Joseph Ndihokubwayo
Jacob Robins

Outstanding Tutors

Stephen Bilich
Clint Caldwell
Lawrence Dupre'
Karen Gesser
Miriam Sundram

Think Like a Winner Award
Dorothy Thomas
The Martin Award
Delores Labbe - Lynne Castle
The Don Littlefield Memorial Award
Sherlynn Washington
The Donna Groth Delhomme Memorial Award
Jerri Caillier
2011-2012 Installation of Officers and Directors
The VITA Training Room was the setting for the 2011-2012 installation of officers and directors on August 24, 2011. Officers for this year are president Dr. Huey McCauley, vice president Bill Bowers, secretary Gene Cole, and treasurer John Hebert. New to the board this year are Carolyn French and Vaughan Baker Simpson. French is a financial advisor and the Senior Vice President of Investments at UBS Financial. Baker Simpson is a Lafayette native, artist, and retired UL history professor. The students, tutors, staff and board welcome our new board members and thank them for helping us change lives through literacy.

L to R John Hiatt, Mary Neiheisel, Kelly Manuel, from Clerk of Court's Office, Jeff Ackermann, Huey McCauley, John Hebert, Jerri Caillier, Bruce Snow, Ken Villemarette, Gene Cole. Not Pictured : Earl Alleman, Vaughan Baker Simpson, Etta Brew, Bill Bowers, Carolyn French, Moses Morgan, Barbara Kinchen, Gail Smith, Pat McCarthy.
Changing Lives Through Literacy

Upcoming Events:

  • Tutor Training November 3, 10, 2011
  • Christmas Coffee Lafayette Museum December 14, 2011
  • Tutor Support February 7, 2012 5:30pm to 6:30pm