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Assist. Principal Christine Dubois, VC Principal Stella Arabie, Fr. Nicholas Dupre’, Fr. Alexander Albert, and Assist. Principal Lauryn Lee (L-R)

Christine Dubois is retiring after a long career.

Amanda Trahan has been named assistant principal at VC.

Vermilion Catholic Assistant Principal Christine Dubois retires

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 11:36am

Her dedication to education spans nearly half a century

Punctuality, preparedness, and professionalism are attributes essential for success in any career. The field of education also requires patience, empathy, adaptability, a passion for learning and leadership, fortitude, integrity, and a love of people.
VC Assistant Principal Christine Dubois embodies those admirable qualities and more. She has influenced thousands of students, faculty, and parents.
In May of 2025, Dubois will retire after a 49-year career in Education. For the last 12 years, she has served as an assistant principal at Vermilion Catholic, a legacy of Mount Carmel, in Abbeville.
"I have worked with a wide variety of students from Pre-K through 12th grade, from low income to high income, from gifted to low performing students," Dubois said. "They have all touched me in different ways, and they have made me a better person."
Dubois earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (1975). She is certified to teach first through eighth grades. Her Special Education certifications are in Mild / Moderate, Severe / Profound, and Learning Disabled.
In addition, Dubois earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from USL (1982). She was certified as a K-12 Principal, Special School Principal, and Parish Supervisor of Instruction.
"My first job was as a Special Education teacher at the Special Education Center in Vermilion Parish, teaching the Primary students in the Moderate / Severe class for seven years."
Next, Dubois assumed an administrative role.
"I became Principal of the Special Education Center for seven years," she said. "I was transferred to Eaton Park Elementary in Abbeville as Principal." She served there as an administrator for ten years.
"I then moved to Seventh Ward Elementary for nine years as principal," she said. "I retired from public schools with thirty-three years."
Next, Dubois worked part-time at Cathedral Carmel school in Lafayette for four years, teaching Enrichment to students in second through fourth grades. Then she moved back to Vermilion Catholic and taught part-time for one year while working part-time at Cathedral Carmel, teaching Study Skills.
"I then became the Assistant Principal when the position opened at Vermilion Catholic," Dubois said.
At VC she served as Assistant Principal for 12 years.
Mike Guilbeaux, VC principal from 2011 to 2022, hired Dubois.
"Christine did a great job managing students, teachers, and parents. She was a hard worker who cared," Guilbeaux said. "She was compassionate and understanding. She gave of herself and that is why she had a successful career."
The current VC principal, Dr. Stella Arabie of New Iberia, also has high praise for this remarkable educator.
"During my time with Mrs. Christine Dubois, I have come to know and respect her as the consummate professional educator and a Catholic servant leader," Dr. Arabie said. "Vermilion Catholic, a legacy of Mount Carmel, has certainly been blessed that she chose to return to her alma mater for her final years before retirement."
Looking forward, the new VC Assistant Principal for the 2025-2026 school year will be Amanda Trahan, the current VC Director of Academic Affairs. She has 15 years of experience in Education.
Trahan is a 2005 VC graduate. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, formerly USL (2010).
She is certified in Elementary Education and Middle School Math. Trahan further earned a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from American College of Education, Indiana (2012).
"It has been an honor to work closely with Ms. Christine and to have her as a mentor over the past few years," Trahan said. "While I know I cannot replace the depth of her knowledge about our school and community, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue her legacy. I look forward to being a familiar face for our families and helping to carry our traditions into the future."
Regarding the new assistant principal, Christine Dubois said, "I have been fortunate to work with my replacement during the second half of this school year. We have been able to communicate collaboratively on what is best for our school."
Dubois' hope for the future of VC is that it will continue to be a vibrant school that provides a Catholic education for those families who want their children to learn and grow in a faith-filled environment.
Through nearly half a century of the many changes and challenges in Education, Dubois noted that she has relied on her Faith to help sustain her.
"My Catholic faith has definitely enabled me to remain in Education for forty-nine years," she said. "I feel I have always been guided in each step of my journey by divine interventions."
Regarding the hardest part of being a school administrator, Dubois said, "The thing I have enjoyed the least is seeing how many, not all, students do not take responsibility for their actions."
Lauryn Lee, the VC assistant principal on the Lower Campus, remarked, "Ms. Christine was a true inspiration to all of us. Her deep love for her Catholic faith and Vermilion Catholic was beautiful to witness. She will be deeply missed."
Dr. Arabie agrees with that sentiment, saying, "Ms. Christine Dubois embodies the core values of our school community and has worked to form and preserve the culture and traditions that make our school a special place to learn and grow in Vermilion Parish. Her family has demonstrated devotion that spans five generations and will remain strong because she has worked tirelessly to ensure that the roots of every child and adult have been grown deeply by her steady and guiding presence over her many years. The entire Vermilion Catholic family is grateful for her service leadership and she will be missed!"
Christine Dubois and her husband, Gregory, will celebrate their 49 years of marriage in August. They have four adult children: Jeremy Dubois, Courtney Dubois Simon, Sarah Dubois LeMaire, and Grayson Dubois. They are grandparents to nine children with a tenth child expected in June.
The retiring educator offers these departing words of wisdom: "My advice would be to listen twice as much as you talk. All teachers should be good role models for their students and demonstrate the important values our students must learn."
No doubt, Christine Dubois will return to VC with her family to attend many more special occasions and athletic events. Like other administrators before her and those yet to come, she will encourage the legacy of Eagle pride and excellence to live on.
Forever positive.
Forever prayerful.
Forever powerful.
Forever present.

Clavern Adams shows off a copy of the Abbeville Meridional form Dec. 12, 2014. Adams appeared on the front page as the Vermilion Parish Middle School Student of the Year. In that story, Adams said he “dreamed” about becoming an engineer, a dream he has now realized.

Clavern Adams achieves dream by earning engineering degree

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 11:30am

Former J.H. Williams, Abbeville High student graduates from UL Lafayette

Over a decade ago, a bright, ambitious 13-year-old named Clavern Adams stood out at J.H. Williams Middle School. As Student of the Year, he expressed a dream to one day become an engineer, driven by his love for math and a hunger for challenge. Today, that young man is a college graduate with a degree in electrical engineering—proof that hard work, focus, and belief can turn dreams into reality.
But the journey wasn’t easy.
“My second semester of college happened during the peak of COVID,” Adams recalls. “It was tough adjusting. Those harder courses went fully online, and that really slowed me down. I wanted to take them in person, and it wasn’t the learning experience I had imagined. Still, I stayed with it.”
That perseverance paid off. Despite the pandemic, the shift to virtual learning, and the personal and academic obstacles, Adams kept going.
He draws strength from his roots—growing up on the block of Dutel and Maude Avenue.
“I experienced a lot as a kid,” he says. “Things that could’ve easily pushed me off track. But I didn’t let any of it stop me from chasing my dream. I don’t want what a kid sees every day to stop them from chasing theirs either.”
Adams hopes his story inspires the next generation—especially those growing up in tough environments.
“You don’t have to be a product of your environment,” he says. “You can rise above it. You can be more—you are more.”
Now preparing to start his career as a reliability engineer, Adams is also thinking long-term. His goal is to one day open his own company—taking everything he’s learned and using it to build something even greater.
From a standout student with a dream to an engineer with a purpose, Clavern Adams is proof that where you come from doesn’t define where you can go.

Sarahmae Giroir Gastal

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 11:26am

March 31, 1939 — May 24, 2025

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Sarahmae Giroir Gastal, 86, will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 2 p.m. with Fr. Nicolas Dupre officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 8 a.m. until time of services.
A resident of Abbeville, Mrs. Sarahmae passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. She was born and raised in Assumption Parish, Bayou L'Ourse community. After the death of her husband, she went to nursing school, realizing she had the empathy to care for others. She was part of the 2nd graduating class for nursing school in Abbeville. She put her career on hold to raise her daughter. She started her career at Abbeville General Hospital and stayed there until she retired. She worked in all departments of the hospital but worked in the nursery/OB ward for the last twelve years of her employment. After retirement, she gave her time to take care of her family and friends.
She was an avid traveler. She travelled to all fifty states, as well as Mexico, all Providences of Canada a few times, and the Arctic Circle. She traveled to Rome for the 2000 Jubilee year and toured in Italy.
She was a member of the Ladies Alter Society, the Lay Carmelites, and was very active in the church. She cleaned the church in Esther for many years. She helped set up the Altar at the Vermilion Healthcare Center for the weekly mass. She would also dismantle the altar and wash the linens. She was an avid reader, and for years she would collect children’s books and go to all the elementary schools in Vermilion Parish and read to the children and give them each a book to take home. She was a long-time member and treasurer of Les Domestiques and the VVFC (of which she was literacy chair of the Vermilion Volunteers for Family and Community).
Mrs. Sarahmae is survived by her daughter, Angela Gastal Bernard and her husband Louis of Abbeville; her sister, Gladys Giroir Solar; her godchildren, Rosalie Ann Solar LaSalle and her husband Clayton, and Ricky James Solar and his wife Keri; her nephew, Robbie Paul Giroir; her niece, Heather Giroir LaSalle and her husband Greg; and many more nieces and nephews; and her sister-in law, Mary Ann Guillory Giroir.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Joseph Gastal; her parents, Augustine Andri and Gladys Landry Giroir; her special friend, John Bennett Trahan; her sisters, Louann Giroir, Rosalie Giroir, and Nellie Giroir Fontenot and her husband John; her brothers, Paul Augustin Giroir, and Norman Jude Giroir; her brother-in law, Robert Jacob Solar; her nephew, Neilly Fontenot; and her niece, Sherry Ann Fontenot.
Angela gives eternal gratitude to Rosalie for the care, kindness, and love she gave to her nanny for her end of life care.
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

Carissa Ann Hebert

Thu, 05/22/2025 - 9:12am

January 11, 1966 — May 21, 2025

EUNICE – Carissa Ann Hebert, born on Tuesday, January 11, 1966 in Eunice, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Lafayette, Louisiana at the age of 59. Carissa’s life was a testament to her unique spirit and unwavering dedication to her community and her craft. A Catholic funeral service will be held at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Eunice on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 1 p.m. with Deacon Gary Gaudin officiating.
From a young age, Carissa embraced her passion for the newspaper industry, embarking on a career that would define her life. Her commitment to reporting and serving her community was evident in her roles as a reporter for many newspapers, including the Eunice News, and her positions as managing editor of the Ville Platte Gazette, the Kinder Courier, and the Oakdale Journal. She approached every story with diligence, ensuring that her readers received the highest quality papers, whether covering monthly meetings, going on ride-alongs with local law enforcement, or capturing joyous moments in the lives of the citizens she served. Throughout her career, Carissa received numerous accolades for her writing, reflecting her dedication and talent.
A graduate of New Iberia Senior High, Carissa also attended LSUE, where she pursued studies in criminal justice and journalism. Her pursuit of knowledge was a reflection of her nurturing nature and her desire to assist others. Carissa’s warm smile and hearty laugh made everyone feel welcomed, and her generous spirit knew no bounds. She was particularly nurturing towards her siblings as well as her nieces and nephews, who lovingly referred to her as “Aunt KK.”
Carissa was also proud to be a long-time member of the Louisiana Cotton Festival board. Her contributions were significant, as she played a vital role in organizing the festival’s entertainment and setting up the Cotton Festival Parade, showcasing her leadership and dedication to her community.
Carissa had a passion for the game of pool. She was a member of the American Pollplayer’s Association (APA) and had the opportunity to play in the national competition in Las Vegas.
She is survived by her mother, Christine Hebert; her siblings, Wendy Fullone, Racheal Grimshaw (Art), Jeffrey Hanson (Lori), Brian Cheeks (Krystal), Anastasia Hanson, Kevin Hebert, Mordello “Marty” Hebert, Jr. (Shashoney), and Christopher Smith; sister-in-law, Glenda Hebert; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Carissa was preceded in death by her father, Mordello G. Brud Hebert, Sr.; her brother, Wendell Hebert; and grandparents, Gerald and Virginia Hebert and Margaret Hanson.
A gathering to celebrate Carissa’s life and share memories of her will take place at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Eunice on Friday, May 23, 2025 beginning at 1 p.m. until time of service. A rosary will be prayed in her honor Friday at 6 p.m. Carissa will be laid to rest in Mt. Carmel Cemetery during a private graveside service.

Elizabeth Adam Langlinais

Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:30am

July 1, 1949 - May 18, 2025

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley for Elizabeth Adam Langlinais, 75, who passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Maison de Lafayette in Lafayette, LA.
Fr. Mark Miley, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church will be officiating for the services. Gather of friends and family will be held at 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, with a rosary recited at 4:00pm. Interment will be held at a later date.
Liz, known as “Ole Nan” to many and her most recent beloved title “MeeMaw”, is survived by her son, Adam-Paul Langlinais and his wife Katie of Broussard, two granddaughters, Emersyn Kate and Juliette Claire; a brother, Russell Adam and his wife, Pam of Lafayette, a sister, Marilyn Adam, also of Lafayette; and all her beloved nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Alexandre Richard Langlinais, and her parents, Camille and Hilda Lemaire Adam.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests for memorial contributions be made in Liz’s name to St Thomas More Catholic School or St Pius Elementary, both located in Lafayette, LA.
Arrangements have been entrusted Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley.

Motorist Killed in Vermilion Parish Single-Vehicle Crash

Mon, 05/19/2025 - 12:08pm

KAPLAN – On May 17, 2025, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified a single-vehicle fatality crash on Louisiana Highway 335 near Teche Road.
The crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Sommer Simon of Crowley.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Ford Mustang, driven by Simon, was traveling west on LA Highway 335. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford traveled off the roadway to the left, struck multiple trees, and became fully engulfed in flames.
Simon sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Due to the severity of the crash, restraint use is still being determined. This crash remains under investigation.

Motorist Killed in Vermilion Parish Single-Vehicle Crash

Mon, 05/19/2025 - 12:07pm

The Erath players close their eyes during the prayer before the game.

Erath's Jack Landry flicks his bat after getting walked.

Talen Landry rounds third base after hitting a solo home run.

The Erath community came out and supported the Bobcats.

Erath shortstop Landen Derouen touches second base and throws to first base.

Talen Landry (left) and Landon LeMaire celebrate when Landry crosses home plate after his home run.

Erath starting pitcher Talen Landry hugs new pitcher Hudson Guidry on the mound.

Erath catcher Brennan Broussard tags out a Sterlington runner at home plate.

The Erath fans filled the stands.

Landen Derouen hustles to first base but was called out. He rested for a minute before getting up.

Here are a few photos from the third game on Saturday

Sat, 05/17/2025 - 5:00pm

Here are a few photos of the Saturday Erath/Sterlington baseball game on Saturday.

The Erath Bobcats take a photo with the second place trophy.

Athletic trainer Cory Frtih consoles EHS shortstop Landen Derouen after the game.

Jack Landry (4) gathers his thoughts after the game.

Erath Bobcats finish state runner-up

Sat, 05/17/2025 - 4:46pm

By Rosco Harrington

SULPHUR – The No. 2 Erath Bobcats fell 5-3 to the No.1 Sterlington Panthers Saturday in game three of the championship series to finish the season as Division III Non-Select state runner-up.
The Bobcats (26-13) fell behind, tied it up, fell behind again, and then fell just short in their final comeback attempt. Erath head coach Jeremy Picard felt his team played hard, but the baseball gods just weren’t on their side.
“We just got beat today,” Picard said. “Hats off to Sterlington. Our guys continued to battle like they did all year long. They never gave in, and we had a chance to win at the end of the game. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”
Sterlington got on the board first in the second inning when Connor Justice laced an RBI single to centerfield for a 1-0 lead. Bobcats’ starting pitcher Talen Landry answered when he sent the second pitch of the third inning over the right field wall. The solo-shot tied the score at one.
That score held until the bottom of the fifth inning. After a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and a single loaded the bases with nobody out, Miller Sheets singled to rightfield to drive in two runs and put the Panthers back on top 3-1. The next batter grounded into a double play, but the run scored to make it 4-1.
Erath responded in the top of the sixth when Jack Landry drew a bases-loaded walk to pull within one run. Landen Derouen followed with a groundball to short that the Panthers turned into a double play, but Seth Leger scored on the play to make it 4-3.
Sterlington added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, and Erath went down in order in the seventh inning to end the game.
Talen Landry led Erath at the plate and on the mound. The junior hurler pitched five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two. Hudson Guidry pitched the final inning, allowing only one hit.
At the dish, Talen Landry had one hit (a homerun), one RBI, and one run scored. Leger had the only other hit for Erath, while Jack Landry had three walks and an RBI.
While the game didn’t go the way they had hoped, Erath’s seven seniors raised the bar for Bobcat baseball. Picard is proud of what they accomplished.
“They’re going to be dearly missed,” Picard said. “They came in as freshmen to a program that was 11-30 the year before, and they finished with this. It’s not the end result we wanted, but I’m absolutely proud of them.”

Erath's Talen Landry (22) scored the tying run and Braxton Richard (18) scored the winning run on Brennan Broussard's triple, while Jack Landry (4) celebrated. (photo by Rosco Harrington).

Winning pitcher Seth Leger is fired up as he points toward the cheering Erath crowd in the seventh inning. (photo by Rosco Harrington).

Erath head coach Jeremy Picard hugs Brennan Broussard after he hit the go-ahead 2-RBI triple in the sixth inning. (photo Rosco Harrington)

Erath one win away

Fri, 05/16/2025 - 5:37pm

They play Saturday at 11 a.m. for all of the marbles

By Rosco Harrington

SULPHUR – The No. 2 Erath Bobcats are now one win away from their first-ever state championship as they defeated the No. 1 Sterlington Panthers 7-6 in a thrilling, back-and-forth game at McMurry Park.
The game two victory now sets up a winner-take-all scenario for game three tomorrow at 11 A.M.
Erath (26-12) fell behind 4-0 over the first two innings, came back, fell behind again, and came back one more time. Head coach Jeremy Picard said his team refused to lose.
“Our kids are resilient; they kept fighting,” Picard said. “The loss yesterday was on me. I asked them to empty the tank today, give us everything they got, and let the chips fall where they may. They didn’t quit until the game was over.”
According to sophomore shortstop and game one starting pitcher Landen Derouen, the team’s motivation was about more than just baseball.
“Yesterday, everyone blamed our coach for the loss,” Derouen said. “In my heart, I knew he made the decision he had to make. We knew we needed to win for him today because we could tell he was down on himself. We did it today, and we will win for him tomorrow too.”
Senior Seth Leger got the start on the mound for Erath. The senior battled for seven innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four.
“This was my last time pitching in a high school game,” Leger said. I had to give it my all. There’s no way I was coming out.
“They have some dogs on that team. They are going to compete. But no matter how many runs they put up, we’re going to put up more, and we’re going to win.”
After giving up a solo homerun in the first inning, Leger appeared to settle down, retiring the first two batters in the second. But then, the Panthers got a single, a hit-by-pitch, an error, and another single to take a 4-0 lead.
The Bobcats got their first run in the bottom of the second when Derouen raced home on a passed ball. They got to within 4-3 in the third inning when Tate Collins scored on a passed ball, and Jack Landry’s RBI single scored Koah Copell.
Erath added two more in the fourth to claim its first lead of the game. A ball off the bat of Leger was misplayed. Carter Champagne and Talen Landry scored to put the Bobcats ahead 5-4.
Sterlington answered in the top of the fifth with an RBI double to knot the score at five. One batter later, an RBI single put the Panthers back on top, 6-5.
That score held until the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior Brennan Broussard walked to the plate down one with two on and two out. He ripped the first pitch he saw over the head of the centerfielder for a bases-clearing triple. Talen Landry and Braxton Richard scored to put Erath ahead for good, 7-6.
“I was seeing the ball very well again today,” Broussard said. “Their pitcher hadn’t thrown a lot this year, so I knew he was coming with fastballs. I was expecting it, got my foot down early, and did what I did.”
Broussard led the Bobcats at the dish, going two-for-four with two RBI. Jack Landry had two hits and one RBI, while Carter Champagne also added two hits. Derouen, Landon LeMaire, and Talen Landry each contributed one hit.

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Vermilion Catholic Assistant Principal Christine Dubois retires

Clavern Adams achieves dream by earning engineering degree

Sarahmae Giroir Gastal

Carissa Ann Hebert

Elizabeth Adam Langlinais

Motorist Killed in Vermilion Parish Single-Vehicle Crash

Motorist Killed in Vermilion Parish Single-Vehicle Crash

Here are a few photos from the third game on Saturday

Erath Bobcats finish state runner-up

Erath one win away

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