TRINITY WILLIAMS
ELLENDER MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Trinity Williams
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Ms. Genese Spencer
ELLENDER MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Ms. Spencer makes time for me no matter what she has going on. She allowed me to build a connection with her to where I feel comfortable to go to her just when I need a listening ear. And that’s why I feel as though she has been one of the most inspirational, important people in my life.
DEEVANI LOPEZ
ELLENDER MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Deevani Lopez
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Ms. Genese Spencer
ELLENDER MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Ms. Spencer has gone above and beyond to even research what’s needed for my nursing program so I can know what to choose when requesting my dual enrollment. I feel so blessed and honored to have been able to create a connection with her and for her to be a part of my success. Overall, I’m grateful to have such a passionate person watching my growth and for that reason I’m choosing her as my inspirational educator.
HANNAH GUIDRY
SOUTH TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Hannah Guidry
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Ms. Bailey Kramer
SOUTH TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL
Ms. Kramer genuinely cares about her students well-being and growth, offering encouragement and a listening ear. This unconditional support has not only helped me navigate academic challenges but has also contributed to a deeper sense of self-worth and strength, making her a lasting influence in my life.
BILLIE SHEFFIELD
SOUTH TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Billie Sheffield
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Ms. Gayle Westley
MONTEGUT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ms. Gayle Westley. She taught my older sister, my dad, and my aunt. They all have very good things to say about her, and she was all of their favorite teacher. I always wondered what was so special about her that they always talked about her, but I soon saw for myself. Ms. Westly brought the “wow” to the classroom each and every day. She would walk into the classroom and state, “Get ready! Let's look at the Wow Board”. She would walk into the classroom always electric and positive. She always laughed, smiled, provided encouragement, advocated for her students, and always had her students think outside of the box.
ALLONNA VIDRINE
LOUIS MILLER TERREBONNE CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL/ SOUTH TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Allonna Vidrine
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Mrs. Heidi Vidrine
LOUIS MILLER TERREBONNE CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Choosing an inspirational educator is a simple task when your greatest mentor is the same person who raised you. I have chosen Mrs. Heidi Vidrine as my IE not because she is my mother, but I chose her because she is the one person in my education journey who has really seen the potential in me, she made me open my own eyes and see potential in myself the times I wanted to quit or give up she was right there holding me up pushing me to keep on going.
MAKENZIE BUTLER
TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Ms. Heather Tulak
LISA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Although Ms.Tulak was my teacher at one of the earliest stages in my life, her impact has lasted far beyond the big table, colorful books and afternoon nap times. At four years old I didn’t quite know what an inspirational educator was, but Ms.Tulak was just that. She created a classroom where learning felt exciting, safe, and joyful. In a time where everything felt big and new, she was steady, kind, and full of warmth. She was patient, nurturing, and intentional, and she made each of us feel seen and valued.
Makenzie Butler
PAOLA DIAZ
H.L.BOURGEOIS HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Paola Diaz
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Mrs. Jeri Overley
H.L.BOURGEOIS HIGH SCHOOL
I hold a deep admiration for Mrs. Overley’s strong dedication to providing the best and most engaging education for her students. She designs her lesson plans to not only include lectures but also hands-on activities and creative projects that relate to the topic to maintain engagement, provoke deep thought, and help her students better understand the material. She always puts a great deal of effort into her interactive lessons and adjusts her teaching according to her students’ different opinions and learning styles. Even on days when she is not feeling well, Mrs. Overley still pushes through and prioritizes her students’ education.
NIAH VERDIN
H.L.BOURGEOIS HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Niah Verdin
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Mrs. Jeri Overley
H.L.BOURGEOIS HIGH SCHOOL
She inspires me both in and out of the classroom with her teaching style, genuine interest in her students, and the environment that she creates in class. Despite English being one of my least favorite subjects in school, Mrs. Overley has found a way to challenge and interest me in the class while teaching me academic skills and life lessons. In her class she comes up with creative and challenging tasks that allow me to develop a deeper understanding of the subject as well as think deeper to the lesson given at hand that often can be applied to my own life. Because of the lessons that I have learned from Mrs. Overley’s class, I always push myself to think deeper when consuming any media and apply these lessons to the world around me in order to push myself to be a better person and student.
KYLIE ORGERON
TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
Kylie Orgeron
&
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR
Mrs. Jenny DeRoche
RETIRED TEACHER FROM LISA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. DeRoche was one of my first teachers I had when transitioning from private to public school. Although this was a tough point in my life with such big life changes happening, I hated going to school but loved being in her classroom. Her love for teaching was shown everyday. I would go to school and genuinely be excited about the new topic we would learn in class. She was one of the teachers I missed most when our year together got cut short due to Covid and me moving onto junior high. I consider myself lucky to have had Mrs. DeRoche as an educator and feel her love and support outside the classroom even years after.
Katie Scott
LISA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Terralyn Parker-Lewis
EVERGREEN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Jenna Hill
H. L. BOURGEOIS HIGH SCHOOL
Amanda Giordano
BOURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Terez LeBlanc
HOUMA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Madge Gautreaux
SOUTH TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL
The James J. Buquet, Jr. Award is presented to a Terrebonne Parish Public High School graduate. The award winner is recognized for vision and excellence in a chosen field or other areas of personal endeavor. This individual has provided service unselfishly to his or community, state, nation or internationally.
The James J. Buquet, Jr Award was established by the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence in 2008 to honor Mr. Buquet’s commitment to public education.
"The level of education that we give our children will influence the quality of life in our community. Remember, they are our citizens and leaders of tomorrow."
- James J. Buquet, Jr.
PAST RECIPIENTS:
JAMES J. BUQUET, JR, MARY COSPER LEBOEUF, BARRY MELANCON, DR. MARY ESCHETE, CLIFFORD SMITH, THE HONORABLE STANWOOD DUVAL, DR. CRAIG WALKER, ROBERT “BOBBY” BOUDREAUX, CHARLES K. “CHUCK” WEAVER, HUNT DOWNER, JR., JAMES CHARLES, PAUL LABAT, JONATHAN FORET, KEN WELLS, REUBEN WILLIAMS, & KAREN SCHILLING
Stock the Classroom Grant: $500
Shannon Boquet, Acadian Elementary School • Abbie Koen, Broadmoor Elementary School • Denise Dufrene Coteau, Bayou Blue Elementary School • Nikolas Shanklin, Evergreen Junior High School • Katherine Dufrene, Evergreen Junior High School • Dawn Dupre, Grand Caillou Elementary School • Bessie Alexander, Grand Caillou Middle School • Christina Fanguy, Grand Caillou Middle School • Casandra Trahan, Grand Caillou Middle School • Holly Hebert, Grand Caillou Middle School • Ashley Cavalier, H. L. Bourgeois High School • Lauren Domangue, H. L. Bourgeois High School • Hannah Perkins, H.L. Bourgeois High School • Lacy Smith H.L. Bourgeois High School • Miranda Chaisson, Lacache Middle School • Kaitlin Medina, Lisa Park Elementary School • Gabrielle Blanchard, Lisa Park Elementary School • Claire Verdin, Montegut Elementary School • Shea Stewart, Montegut Elementary School • Monica Folse, Oaklawn Middle School • Angela Breaux, Oaklawn Middle School • Alicia Johnson, Oakshire Elementary School • Ronnie Turner, School for Exceptional Children • Tiffany Ashley, Schriever Elementary School • Beverly LeBouef, South Terrebonne High School • Sybil Washington, Southdown Elementary School • Jennifer Hopkins, Terrebonne High School • Kimberly Leblanc, Terrebonne High School • Racquel Shanklin, Terrebonne High School • Gilbert Marcel Jr., Terrebonne High School • Leah Becnel, H.L. Bourgeois High School • Shannon Marcel, Terrebonne High School • Michelle Theriot, Broadmoor Elementary School • Angie Chambers, Grand Caillou Middle School • Nyani Randolph, Ellender Memorial High School
New Teacher Grants: $1,000
Faith Clement, Evergreen Junior High • Cameron McInnis, Broadmoor Elementary School • Zaronte Coleman, Oaklawn Middle School • Jene Robinson, Evergreen Junior High School • Racquel Shanklin, Terrebonne High School • Nikolas Shanklin, Evergreen Junior High School • Isabelle Champagne, H.L. Bourgeois High School
Innovated Ed Venture Grant
Elreakwon Duncan South down Elementary $1,000
Bessie Alexander Grand Caillou Middle School $1,192 Tamara McClelland Southdown Elementary $1,000
The Academic Excellence Fund is an endowed fund, which assures our donors that the principal will never be spent. Interest from this fund serves as a perpetual funding source for grants and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
ACADEMIC DISTINCTION GIFTS
$100,000 & ABOVE
James J. Buquet, Jr. Family Foundation Fund
(In memory of James J. Buquet, Jr., in memory of Diana D. and James J. Buquet, in memory of Hazel F. and Lee J. Castagnos)
Jim & Glenda Harper Fund
Michael X. & Mary
Virginia Rayne St. Martin
(In memory of Hugh Paul St. Martin, MD.) (In memory of Rhea St. Martin)
South Louisiana Bank
(In memory of Robert W. Bourg)
T. Baker Smith, Inc.
(In memory of Mrs. Julie H. Toups)
(In honor of Clifford & JoAnne Smith)
NAMED ENDOWMENT DONORS
$45,000-$74,999
APACHE Corporation
Linda, Bobby and Paul Burguieres
(In memory of Chapman "Bumper" Burguieres III)
Capital One Bank
Cenac Towing Company, Inc.
(In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ovide J. Cenac)
Pedestal Bank
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Gueydan
Tony and Char Herques
Houma Oilman’s Fishing Invitational Regions Bank
SEACOR Marine, LLC
Synergy Bank
Terrebonne Ford/Barker Automotive Dealerships
The Rotary Club of Houma
(In memory of Ron Gautreaux and Doug Stire)
H. E. Trapp, Jr.
(In memory of H. E. Trapp, Sr.)
Weatherford
Whitney Bank
5K Run for Excellence & Food Fest
Best of the Bayou Music Foundation
FOUNDER’S CLUB
$25,000-$44,999
Robert & Suzanne
Alexander
Brian & Marianne
Matherne
Chet Morrison Contractors, Inc.
CHARTER INVESTORS
$10,000-$24,999
AT&T LA
Elton A. Darsey
Arthur & Helen DeFraites
The Gray Foundation
MidSouth Bank
Richard & Judy Haydel
John D. & Barbara Morris
Petroleum Laboratories, Inc.
John & Diane Sontheimer
Terminix Pest Control, Inc.
The Investment Group
Dale Thompson, Sr.
Ken & Yolanda Trahan
Watkins, Walker, & Eroche, APLC
Mr. & Mrs. Reuben Williams
ACADEMIC SPONSORS
$500-$9.999
Mr. & Mrs Mark Felger, Felger Footwear
Anonymous Donors (2) Benoit Machines
Michael and Tamara Bergeron (In memory of Claude & Kathy Bergeron)
Sharon Roppolo Bergeron
Bourgeois & Associates
Bourgeois, Bennett, LLC, CPAs
James & Sinclair Buquet
Suzanne Nolfo Carlos Chevron Companies
Dr. & Mrs. Ray Cinnater
Community Coffee
Company Foundation
B.J. Corte
The Courier
Reggie Dupre, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. C. Berwick Duval
Dr. & Mrs. S. E. Ellender, Jr. Fabregas Music Store
Dr. & Mrs. David R. Fakier & Family
Mike Fakier & Kurt Fakier Families
Ferber Foundation of the Jewish Endowment Foundation
Michael Fesi II
Len Fontaine, Jr./Acadia Financial Group, Inc.
Leslie Jacobs
Robert E. & L. A. Kelton, Jr.
Catherine B. Kosior
(In memory of L. J. Bilello) LP&L
LA Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Thomas & Rebecca Lanaux
Travis & Kaye Lavigne
Mark, Margaret, Anna, & Laura Lee
Hartwell A. Lewis
Lloyd’s Remedies
Family & Friends of Terry J. Martin
Keith & Kathy Mazerac
(In honor of Kameron Mazerac)
Mr. & Mrs. Barry Melancon
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Mire
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pellegrin Family & Friends
of Lucy P. Porche
George & Melanie Ribble
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Richard, Jr.
Family & Friends of
Wayne J. Riche
John & Lisa Rogers
Rotary Club of Houma-Terrebonne Sangisetty
Voice of the Wetlands
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Weed
Rene & Marsha Williams
HONORARIUMS
Allayne Barrilleaux, Ph. D.
FRIENDS OF THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND
TFAE gratefully acknowledges those who have donated “In Memory Of” the individuals below:
Mr. Kenneth Barrilleaux
Mrs. Ruby Bascle
Mr. Cecil J. Bordelon
Mr. Elward Brady
Mrs. Adelaide Braud
Mr. Richard A. Breaux
Mr. James J. Buquet, Jr.
Mr. James Cockrell
Mrs. Julia Dudek
Mrs. Geralyn Dunckleman
Mrs. Ruth France
Mr. David LeCompte
Mr. Hartwell Lewis
Mrs. Gloria Marcello
Mr. Terry J. Martin
Mrs. Ruth McCaa
Mr. Early McElroy
Mrs. Ethel Melancon
Mrs. Elise Scroggin Mixon
Mr. John Fitzhugh Morris
Mrs. Dan Percle
Mr. Geralto J. Vita
Mr. Warren Wilder
The Foundation’s Directors personally believe that the Foundation, through the efforts of concerned parents, community members, and teachers at the grass roots level, has the greatest potential to make a direct impact on successful student learning.
Our board of directors volunteer their time and talents, working in conjunction with the public school district, to elevate the quality of education in our parish. We are honored to have committed community leaders serve as our board of directors.
Rusty Bourg
President Synergy Bank
Ana Nanney Vice President Fletcher College
Jennifer Smith
Secretary T. Baker Smith
Mark Felger
Treasurer Felger’s Footwear
Ricky Murphy Retired
Glenny Lee Buquet Community Leader
Tommy Guarisco Downtown Jeaux
Josh Jones Hancock Whitney Bank
George Robichaux Retired
Daniel J. Walker Retired Attorney
Arlanda Williams
Delgado Community College
Mary Ditch Vandebilt Catholic High School
Steven Barabera Regions Bank
Winnie Pellegrin Retired Teacher
Bernie Clement Terrebonne General Health System
Najah Halloway CASA
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
TFAE CELEBRATES BEING THE 2ND LARGEST DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY IN LOUISIANA DELIVERING OVER 400,000 BOOKS TO KIDS AGES 0-4!
Please consider "passing on the gift of reading" by sponsoring a local child in the program. A gift of just $25 sponsors a child for 1 year and a gift of $125 sponsors a child for 5 years.
