Hundreds packed the Cajundome Convention Center March 6 for the first-ever State of the LPSS, which showcased exemplary students and featured a multi-media presentation by Superintendent Dr. Don Aguillard. The program, part of The Independent Lecture Series and presented by IberiaBank and the Pugh Family Foundation, was presented at lunch time and again that afternoon at no cost to reach the broadest audience possible, including employees, students and working families.
A pre-event lobby reception featured a gallery of award-winning student artwork, music and dance ensemble performances, live demos of several robotics programs and science and technology displays. The event included a full presentation of the colors by high school ROTC teams, the Pledge of Allegiance in four languages representing the LPSS language academies and The National Anthem by the LHS Chorus at the luncheon and the Burke Elementary Chorus in the evening. The LHS Strings Ensemble provided music while lunch was served.
Aguillard’s multi-media presentation emphasized strategies to sustain LPSS progress toward “A” standing. He invited Richard Zuschlag, chairman and CEO of the Acadian Companies, to offer remarks in support of the efforts to upgrade local schools.
The Lafayette Schools Credit Union and the MBSB Group were supporting sponsors, One Acadiana and Architects Beazley Moliere were sustaining sponsors, and Atmos Energy, Associated Design Group, Architects Southwest and Kolder Champagne Slaven sponsored tables.
1. Robin Olivier, Allison El Koubi, Stephanie Bordelon and Kaye Victorian
2. Back row: Wayne Domingue, Nick Pugh, Charles Beazley, C. Burton Kolder and Jerry Vascocu. Front row: Craig Campbell, Connie S. Roy, Tommy Hebert, Mark Stielper and Jason El Koubi
3. Julien Templet, Taylan Arceneaux, Isabella Boudreaux and Annette Samec
4. Leah Tapo, Mary Washington, Keler Williams, Selena Hotard, Phyllis Coleman Mouton, Anne Herrmann and Nicole Rebstock (Photo by Karley Nugent)
5. Burke Elementary Chorus (Photo by Karley Nugent)
6. Richard Zuschlag
7. Dr. Don Aguillard
8. Dr. Don Aguillard, Paget Guidry, Annette Samec, Azadeh Yazdi, Joe Craig, Robin Olivier, Randy Bernard, Dr. Shauna Leblanc and Blaine Bearb