On Saturday Jan. 26, 2019, American Legion Lenox-Hotard Post 31 hosted the 62nd annual Terrebonne Parish Teenager of the Year. In attendance were 31 exceptional teenagers from our eight public and parochial schools, as well as our home school association. Also in attendance were Parish President Gordy Dove and past Parish President Michele Claudet, as well as many members of the Terrebonne Parish School Board, Terrebonne Parish Council and Chamber of Commerce. Many of the corporate sponsors who value this long-standing initiative, including Terrebonne Foundation of Academic Excellence and Terrebonne General Institute of Sports Medicine, were also there to provide their support.
The event was highlighted by summaries of each of the students from members of their administration, where the students' endeavors in academics, community involvement and faith engagement were discussed and showcased. The students and their family and friends were given an opportunity to hear from Dr Jay Clune, President, Nicholls State University, where he challenged the young adults to continue to pursue their dream wherever they might lead, but to eventually come home and make our community a better place.
The night was culminated with Cassidy Nguyen from Vandibilt Catholic High School being selected as 2018 Teenager of the Year, and Allison Picou from Terrebonne High School being given a certificate for the Best Essay of 2018 which focused on the "first one hundred years of the Legion." Also as part of this evening the Legion selected the best Educator of the Year, Kristi Dardar of Montegut Elementary.