Special Events
Vandy Hall of Fame inducts two
Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma recently inducted Terry P. Braud Jr. and Margaret Haydel Johnson into its Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the Vandebilt Brothers’ Hall. Those chosen to the Hall of Fame must be deserving longtime supporters, faculty, staff, alumni, parents or others who have served Vandebilt faithfully and well. Up to four individuals may be chosen each year. Decisions are rendered by a committee of administrators, faculty and alumni. Terry P. Braud Jr., a native and resident of Houma, has served the Catholic Church and the local community throughout his adult years. A graduate of St. Bernadette Elementary School and valedictorian of the H.L. Bourgeois High School Class of 1980, Braud entered Nicholls State University to study accounting. After receiving a bachelor of arts 34 with honors in 1983, Braud earned his accreditation as a Louisiana Certified Public Accountant in 1993; he is a member of the Louisiana Society of CPA’s and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Braud joined the HoumaTerrebonne Jaycees, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, as a young accountant and served in the capacity as vice-president for two years, followed by a one-year term as president of the organization. He later became a member of the Krewe of Terreanians, participating as treasurer and vice president; Braud is the current president of the club and continues to serve on its board of directors. Braud feels that “our Catholic faith stands as the very foundation of our lives. Our faith is continuously influenced by our families, our academic endeavors, and the environment in which we live daily.” As a parishioner of St. Bernadette, Braud served as commentator, assisted with marriage preparatory ministry, and participated as a member of several committees. In 2005 Braud became a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2013
Terry P. Braud Jr.
Margaret Haydel Johnson
Church and has represented that parish on the Vandebilt School Advisory Council since 2007. As a parent, Braud has been quite active at Vandebilt. During the years that his children attended Vandebilt, Braud not only served on the Advisory Council, where he was president for seven years, but he also belonged to the Terrier Club and the Terrier Regiment Band Boosters. Braud and his wife, the former Robin Hebert (VCHS 1980), have three children who have graduated from Vandebilt: Diana (2004), Elise (2005), and Patrick (2012). Braud continues to serve on the Vandebilt Advisory Council. Margaret Haydel Johnson has had a lifelong affiliation with Catholic education in Houma; nearly 30 of those years have been spent at Vandebilt. After receiving her educational foundation at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Johnson attended Vandebilt and graduated in 1983. She then enrolled at McNeese State University, where she was a fouryear letterman in both volleyball and softball. Johnson earned a bachelor of science in 1988 and continued her stint at McNeese as a graduate assistant teaching two college courses. Joining the Vandebilt faculty in 1989, Johnson has since served in the capacities of head volleyball and softball coach, Physical Education
Department chairperson, assistant athletic director and classroom teacher. Johnson has enjoyed tremendous success during her career at Vandebilt. She has been recognized as Coach of the Year numerous times on the district, regional and state levels. Johnson served as head coach of Louisiana’s high school all-star teams in 1996 and 2010, and she was inducted into the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2004. Johnson was honored by Vandebilt in 2009 as a nominee for the Brother Alfred Kolb Teacher of the Year Award. In her 23 years as a head coach at Vandebilt, Johnson has led her softball team to the state tournament 20 times, resulting in seven state championships and five state runner-up titles. Johnson’s success is supported by her husband, Ricky, and their sons Joshua (VCHS 2010) and Hayden (VCHS 2013). Johnson recognizes the opportunity that her parents gave her by providing her with a Catholic education. Influenced by her family, the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Johnson’s teaching and coaching philosophy consists of “faith in God, firm but fair discipline, respect for others, compassion and empathy, and belief in the achievement of others beyond their own expectations.”