Letter from the President

From the desk of the President

By: David Boudreaux

Terrier Family,

I never imagined that I would become a teacher or coach, assistant principal, principal, or president. When I finished college, I found myself wondering what was next? I had no real plan and certainly no idea of what God’s plan was for my life. When my fiancé, now wife, Mary Catherine was assigned to student teach at Franklinton High School I had no idea that I too would end up there, and where this incredible ministry of education would take us.

As a product of Catholic education, I always wanted the same experience for my children. This desire led me to take the leap of faith and move to Houma in 2016 and become principal of Vandebilt Catholic. Over the next four years Mr. Boudreaux worked to prepare me for the role of President, but I don’t think anyone or anything could have prepared us for the 2020-2021 school year. I found myself once again unsure of what was next and what God’s plan would be for me and our school community.

As we reflect on the 2020-2021 school year, we realize that all of our uncertainty and worry has turned to a sense of accomplishment and pride. The word “unprecedented” received an unprecedented amount of usage in describing those uncertain times. Masks, temperature checks, and all of the sanitizing will eventually become a distant memory and what will remain is the sense of community, the lessons learned, and the spirit of the fighting Terrier.

As we look forward to the 2021-2022 school year, I believe we all do so with a great sense of hope. A hope for a return to “normal”, to seeing smiling faces, and shaking hands and hugging one another again! There is also a great sense of hope that our school community will continue to grow closer together as we continue to build on the great traditions of Vandebilt Catholic. We are working diligently to prepare the facility and ourselves for our students return and we pray that they are as excited as we are for their return in August.

God’s plan is often a mystery to all of us. I really thought I would be a Supreme Court Justice one day, but here I am. Although I never imagined myself where I am today, God was always guiding my life and now allows me to serve the over 700 current students, thousands of alumni, parents, and grandparents through the ministry of Catholic education! It is an incredible and humbling responsibility, but one that I am certainly enjoying. It is truly a privilege to serve as president of Vandebilt Catholic.

Please continue to lift our faculty and staff in prayer as we partner with parents to form the young men and women of Vandebilt Catholic into faith-filled, dedicated, hard-working, servant leaders, who are academically, spiritually, and socially prepared to make a difference in the world.

Terriers Together,

Jeremy Gueldner Vandebilt Catholic High School President