WINTER 2004 NEWSLETTER

Student Honored for Her Work as an Election Commissioner

VITA Student Lorena Comeaux recently was honored by the Voter Registration Committee of the Lafayette Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.  Lorena served as a commissioner of elections in the fall after VITA’s field trip to the Lafayette Parish Registrar of Voters Office.  In an interview in The Daily Advertiser, Lorena said, “I went on a field trip and the lady said they needed people, so I said I was going to give it a try.  It was an education for me.  I learned a whole lot.”

The N.A.A.C.P. honored Lorena at a special presentation and awarded her with a plaque that read, “Opportunity loves a willing spirit and blesses those who say ‘Consider it done!’  More often than those say ‘It’s not mine to do.’  Success in our society are those who dare to try.”

VITA Welcomes New Tutors

Melanie Croft

Donna Aberly

Lottie Broussard

Martial Broussard

Nancy Carbo

Courtney Credeur

Fred Feazell

Theresa Femmer-McLaughlin

Judith Goodstone

Judy Hagood

Rita Hebert

Huey Hinckley

David Howard

Michelle LaFleur

Keith Lalumia

Linda Lanclos

Emma Lerille

Britney Lyle

Robin Judice

Barbara Prince

Douglas Robinson

Layne St. Julien

Ann Shelvin

Stacey Strodtman

Erica Toups

Libbie Webre

Marisa Weems

Jason Williams

Mark Wilson

VITA Searching for Ways to Offer More to Students

Some grant guidelines now require a weekly minimum of six instructional hours for literacy students.  To increase required hours of instruction and improve students’ educational gains, VITA is offering a variety of ways for students to add instructional time to their schedules. 

A series of supplementary educational classes is offered to students on a variety of topics.  The first course, “Managing Your Money,” began January 29.  The four-part course, taught by Tutor Louise Lovisa, covers smart shopping, understanding credit, and saving money.   Other courses planned are in the areas of spelling skills, essay writing, computer and Internet skills, and math literacy.  Tutors offering to assist with these additional classes include Ernest Clooney, Chris Cretini, Lawrence Dupre, Carolyn Pons, Fred Sierveld, and Sandy Wickenheiser.  If you would like to help with a class, call Norma or Sheila.

A book club for VITA students is also planned.  Interested participants will check out a book and accompanying tapes to read.  Weekly book club meetings will give the members a chance to discuss the book and learn more about the story background.

To offer more availability, VITA’s computer lab is now open on weekday afternoons in addition to its morning hours and Tuesday evenings.  Additional study assignments, reading with children, and helping family with school work are activities that may help increase students’ educational gains, reading fluency and goal achievements.  Ideas for supplementary homework assignments are available on VITA’s website at www.vitalaf.org under “Tutor and Student Tips.”  For more information on homework, contact VITA.

We thank you for your assistance in helping us provide a well-rounded literacy program for our students.

VITA Staff Attends Proliteracy Worldwide Conference

Last fall, members of the VITA staff attended the Proliteracy Worldwide Conference in Washington, D.C.  The three-day conference included literacy workshops, meetings and exhibits.  Staff members Norma Guidry, Betty Haynes, Audrey Martin, Grace Myers Sloane, Sheila Stagg and Jackie Ware joined hundreds of participants in addressing literacy issues during the conference.

VITA thanks our benefactors who promote literacy in Acadiana by their generous donations.  We are deeply moved by their kindness and commitment.

VITA 2003-2004 Members

VITA Benefactors

Associated General Contractors

Episcopal Church of the Ascension

Dr. John Grimes, Ph.D.

Heymann Foundation

Sertoma Club

Wal-Mart Foundation

VITA Patrons

Mr. & Mrs. Gene Cole

Zonta Club

VITA Sponsors

Mary Neiheisel

Rotary Club North

Gail Smith

VITA Donors

Robert and Esther Arceneaux

Cargill Deicing Technology

Gauthier RV Center

Barbara Kinchen

Dr. Huey McCauley, Ph.D.

Dr. and Mrs. Jim Odom

Dr. and Mrs. Andre Perron

Donette Thomas

VITA Members

Arvin Management

Flo Boudreaux

Robbie Bush

Jerry Domengeaux

Lawrence Dupre

Virginia Finley

Shirley Guedry

Donna Hanna

David Howard

Kathleen Hulin

Dianne Judice

Ann and Bob Justice

Eileen Menard Martin

Suzelle Mitchell

Irene Soileau

Eleanor Thomas

Alicia Towster

May Louise White

Memorial Fund

Donations to VITA's Memorial Fund have been received in memory of

Joseph and Beatrice Crofton

Ron Delhomme

Bill Hollingsworth

Joe and Jeff Picard

Selena Thomas

Libbie Webre’s Prayer Group

Students Visit Museum Exhibits

Recently a group of VITA students visited the Lafayette Natural History to view various exhibits.  They saw “Rodin: A Magnificient Obsession,” a 72-piece collection of sculpture and a film demonstrating how Rodin created his masterpieces.  Also exhibited was “The National Pastime in Black and White: The Negro Baseball Leagues, 1867-1955.”  Photographs and rare memorabilia were on display from this time period.  In addition, the students visited “Expanding Boundaries from the Art Quilt Network,” a showing of art quilts and hangings. 

After attending the exhibits, students participated in a writing assignment about the Rodin sculpture.

VITA Marked the Holidays with Celebrations

The VITA Lafayette and VITA St. Landry programs observed the Christmas holidays with celebrations.  In Opelousas, the VITA St. Landry staff entertained 40 students, tutors and guests at a Christmas Potluck Social.  The group joined in various icebreakers and games, including a fast-paced game of musical chairs. The festive atmosphere and wonderful food completed the celebration.

The Annual Christmas Social in Lafayette was highlighted by stories, music, games and refreshments.  Lauren Smith, librarian with the Lafayette Parish Public Library, read a selection from “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote.  Students also sang Christmas carols, including carols from the native countries of the ESL students.  Everyone enjoyed playing Jingo, a Christmas bingo game, to win prizes.  Each student received a copy of a Christmas book to read to a child.

VITA Training Seminar Schedule

VITA training seminars are tentatively planned this year.  The following seminars are scheduled in the VITA Training Room on the fourth floor of Whitney Bank in Lafayette or at 128 N. Lombard Street in Opelousas.

Dates and Times                                Location

March 4, 5-7 p.m. and                         Lafayette

March 6, 9-12 a.m.

March 10, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.                    Opelousas

Congratulations, Gail and Mary!

We congratulate VITA Board President Gail Smith on her new position as Director of Administrative Services with the Lafayette Parish Consolidated Government.  In addition, Board Member Mary Neiheisel was honored at the 9^th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon.

Thanks to Alphosine

Former VITA Student Alphosine Martin recently made a $100 donation from cookbook sales to the program.  Alphosine’s cookbook, Du Bon Manger, was written with the help of her former tutor Melba Martin in 1993.  Donations from the cookbook sales have totaled about $4,000 to date.  Thank you for your support, Alphosine!