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Vermilion Parish has become a powerhouse in powerifting.
This past weekend, the powerlifting state meet took place in Kenner, where athletes from Vermilion Parish performed impressively. The parish earned a state runner-up team trophy and nine individual state titles.
Abbeville High did exceptionally well.
The Lady Wildcats powerlifting team secured second place in Division III, while Church Point won the state title.
The Lady Wildcats have not won a state title in powerlifting.
They have finished as runners-up five times, most recently in 2021. In 2023, the Lady Wildcats placed third in the state.The Lady Wildcats brought home three individual state titles and one second-place finish.
Abbeville’s two world champions powerlifters, Khandi Shuford and Brylee Batiste, brought home two individual state titles in their weight class, while Toni Landry won in her weight class.
 Shuford won the 123-pound weight class by almost 200 pounds over the second-place lifter. She had a total lift of 915 pounds; the second-place total weight was 725 pounds.
Shuford’s total of 915 pounds is now a Division III state composite record in the 123-pound class.
Brylee Batiste of Abbeville also set a composite record in the 198-pound weight class, lifting a total of 1,255 pounds. 
The second-place lifter in her weight class lifted 390 pounds less than Batiste.
Tonie Landry of Abbeville won state in the  181-pound weight class with a total lift of 790 pounds - winning by 40 pounds. 
Abbeville’s state runner-up was Melissa Mai in the 132-pound weight class, while teammate Yasmeen Cormier was sixth in the same division.
At Vermilion Catholic, Lene Claire Romero is the Division V state winner in the 132-pound weight class.
 On Friday, she broke the divisional squat record twice, the divisional bench record three times, the composite bench record once, and the total divisional record twice.
She squatted 325 pounds (a new divisional record in her weight class), benched 220 pounds (a new divisional record and new composite record in her weight class), and deadlifted 325 pounds.
Her  870 total pounds is also a new divisional record in the 132-pound weight class. Her total amount lifted with the most in all divisions in the 132-pound weight class.
Gueydan’s Grace Braus won a Division V state title in the 165-pound weight class. She lifted 805 pounds, winning by 30 pounds.
Gueydan’s Lacey Hebert finished second in the super heavyweight division with a total lift of 820 pounds.

Parish boys win four individual titles
Vermilion Parish boy powerlifters wrapped up a competition on Saturday in Division I, II, and III and competed for championships. The boys won four state titles.
Vermilion Parish state championships are Bryand Mao and Aiden Brown of Abbeville High, Ethan Tate of North Vermilion, and Tyrin Doucette of Kaplan High.
In the 132-pound weight class, Abbeville High’s Bryand Mao won with a total lift of 1,070 pounds.
Abbeville’s Aiden Brown won the 181-pound weight class with a total lift of 1,400 pounds. He won by 80 pounds.
Kaplan High’s Tyrin Doucette won the 198-pound weight class with a total lift of 1,550 pounds. He won by 135 pounds.
Ethan Tate of North Vermilion won the 198-pound weight class with a total lift of 1,435. He won by 40 pounds.

Top Six finishers from Vermilion Parish

Below are male athletes who finished in the top six. in their weight class.

Division II

North Vermilion

Ethan Tate - 198 - 1st place
Michael Nguyen - 165 - 3rd place
Devin Galley - 148 - 4th place

Dvision III

Abbeville High
Bryand Mao - 132 - 1st place
Aiden Brwon - 181 - 1st place
Trey Nguyen - 114 - 2nd place
Peter Duong - 114 - 5th place

Erath High
Dylan Broussard - 145 - 3rd Place
Andrew Leblanc -181 - 5th Place
Ryan Cully - 123 - 6th place

Kaplan High
Tyrin Doucette - 198 - 1st Place

Division IV

Vermilion Catholic
Jackson Dubois - 165 - 3rd place
Micah Kiehl - 181 - 3rd place

Delcambre
Ryan St. Marie - 132 - 6th place

Here are the top six girl athletes who finished in the top six from the parish.

Division III
Abbeville
Khandi Shuford - 123 - 1st place
Brylee Batiste - 198 - 1st place.
Tonie Landry - 181 - 1st place
Melissa Mai - 132 - 2nd place
Yasmeen Cormier - 132 - 6th place

Erath
Chloe Knapp - 220 - 2nd place
Pipper Lemaire - 198 - 2nd place
Emma Harrington 181 - 3rd place
Annslee Guidry, 220 - 5th place

Kaplan
Neanna Plowden - 198 - 3rd place

Division II
North Vermilion
Addisyn Lege - 97 - 3rd place
Ava Livings - 220 - 3rd place

Division IV
Delcambre
Daniella Romo-Mendoza - 114 - 4th place
Brooklyn McBroom - 198- 6th place

Division V

VC
Lene-Claire Romero - 132 - 1st place

Gueydan
Grace Braus - 165 - 1st place
Lacey Hebert - SHW - 2nd place

If Francis Plaisance is looking to see what put him over the top by one vote in the District B Councilman race in Abbeville, all he has to do is look at one precinct that only had two people vote for the council race.
Plaisance, in probably the closest election in Vermilion Parish in years, won by only one vote, 153-152 to win the District B Abbeville council seat over Rachel Touchet Mouton.
District B consists of eight precincts, and early voting. Out of the eight precincts, two did not have any vote for the council race.
Another precinct had only two people who voted in the council race. It was that precinct who looked to have pushed him to victory.

Saturday night, Plaisance was home watching the results come in and with only one precinct left, he was down by one vote. That final precinct left was the one that had only two people vote.
Those two voters voted for Plaisance giving him the close victory.
“I am really thankful for all of the voters who voted for me in District B,” said Plaisance. “I look forward to working with the Mayor and the council.”
The former Councilman-At-Large won four out of the eight precincts with Mouton winning two precincts, and she also won early voting. Mouton had 70 early-voting votes, while Plaisance had 64.
.On Tuesday morning, the voting machines were opened and the results of the District B results were verified.
Now, Plaisance has to wait for the state to verify the results of Saturday’s election.
If he clears that final hurdle, he will begin to figure out what date he can be sworn into office.
Plaisance has just over a year left to serve on long-time District B councilman Francis Touchet’s term. Touchet resigned to concentrate on being the school superintendent in Lafayette Parish.

March 21, 1938 - March 24, 2025

Dolores Campbell LeBlanc, our dear mother, Granny, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, March 24, 2025, and went on to her eternal glory. She was 87 years old.
Dolores was born on March 21, 1938, to the late Eunice Broussard Campbell in Abbeville, Louisiana, where she attended school and graduated from Abbeville High School. She married the love of her life, Louie Luke LeBlanc. While Lou was the rock of the family, working in the oilfield to provide for their needs, Dolores embraced her most cherished role as a wife, mother, and homemaker. In each of these, she excelled and became the very best.
Dolores epitomized the term “homemaker.” She had a green thumb, growing and nurturing the most beautiful flowers that brightened her yard and home. A skilled needleworker, Dolores was also the best cook and baker in all of South Louisiana. Her banana nut bread was a local favorite, and once you tasted it, no other could compare. Her cooking was even more remarkable—her shrimp stew, corn soup, and rice dressing were legendary, all prepared with love. Her daughter Jenny fondly called her a “food pusher,” saying Dolores always made sure to offer food or treats to anyone who came by.
Her grandchildren have fond memories of Granny always having meals and treats ready. Early mornings while waiting for the bus, Granny would offer food, split her stick of gum with them, and have spearmint candies, their favorite, on hand. She always found simple ways to spoil them, showing her love through those small, meaningful gestures. Nothing was ever too much for her family.
Dolores also enjoyed shopping, taking spontaneous drives to no particular destination, and listening to her favorite music. A laugh would be shared whenever she reminisced about her trips to T.J. Maxx, where she would spend hours perusing the aisles. The knick-knack section was her favorite, where she often found surprises for her grandchildren. Dolores and Louie, her constant companion, also enjoyed many carefree drives around the countryside, listening to John Denver and Anne Murray, letting the music carry them away. But above all, Dolores cherished time spent at home, relaxing on her patio, soaking in nature’s beauty, and creating lasting memories with her loved ones.
Above all, her heart was most full when her family was with her. Her life was given to the welfare and care of those she loved without any regret. Dolores is now reunited with Louie, Dale, Eunice and all of her family that has gone on before her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Jenny LeBlanc (Brian Rush); her grandchildren, Zachary LeBlanc (Kristen) and Kiley LeBlanc (Peyton); her great-grandchildren, Kinley LeBlanc, Kayden LeBlanc, and her great granddaughter expected in July, Navy Grace Marter; her daughter-in-law, Judy; her sister, Shirley Campbell Ryder (Orile); and her in-laws, Hazel Campbell, Mona LeBlanc Hanes, and Morris "Boy" LeBlanc (Myrtle).
Dolores is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Louie Luke LeBlanc; her son, Dale LeBlanc; her mother, Eunice Broussard Campbell; her brother, Lercy Campbell; and her brother-in-law, Arthur Hanes, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Dolores’ life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Fr. Buddy Breaux will be the celebrant. Following the Mass, Dolores will be laid to rest alongside her husband in the church mausoleum.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. dismissal, with the Rosary being prayed at 9:30 a.m.
Serving as pallbearers are Jenny LeBlanc, Zachary LeBlanc, Liz Hanes, Brian Rush, Randy Campbell, and Teryl Ryder. Brian Ryder will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Kiley LeBlanc, Liz Hanes, Mona Hanes, Kittie Durman, Martha Baudoin, and Brian Rush for the love and care shown to Dolores. We greatly appreciate you all.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dolores’ name to Heart of Hospice, to assist in the continued care of those in their final days, helping them transition with love and peace.
Relatives and friends are invited to share their condolences and memories with the family by visiting Dolores’ memorial at www.evangelinedelcambre.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.

December 20, 1937 - March 22, 2025

Claudia Detraz Saunier, age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2025. She was born on December 20, 1937, in Abbeville, Louisiana to the late Claude and Mary Mae Primeaux Detraz, Sr. and spent her life touching the hearts of all who knew her.
A loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, and friend, Claudia was deeply committed to her family and community. She was a proud and dedicated member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, where her faith and kindness shone brightly.
Claudia devoted 41 years of her life to the noble profession of teaching in elementary education. She had a passion for nurturing young minds, sharing her wisdom, and making a lasting impact on her students. Her teaching career spanned several schools, including Fatima Catholic School, Catholic High School, and Herod Elementary School, where she made lifelong connections with both colleagues and students.
While her career was rewarding, Claudia's greatest joy came from spending time with her family, particularly her three grandsons, who were the light of her life. She took immense pride in helping to raise them, supporting them at all of their events, and being a constant source of love and encouragement. Claudia found her most treasured times in the presence of her grandchildren.
Those left behind to treasure her memory are her son, Michael Saunier and wife Ann Rachel Hebert Saunier; her three grandsons, Alexander Saunier, Grayson Saunier and Richmond Saunier; and one sister, Darlene Detraz Viator.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Marion Saunier; one sister, Inez Detraz Meaux and two brothers, Claude Detraz, Jr. and Donald Detraz.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with Fr. Buddy Breaux officiating. She will be laid to rest following the mass at Our Lady of the Lake Mausoleum with her husband.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Thursday from 12:00 pm until time of service.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Alexander Saunier, Grayson Saunier, Richmond Saunier, Scottie Saunier, Jude Meaux and Tommy Saunier.
Claudia's warm spirit, devotion to family, and the kindness she shared with everyone she met will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. May she rest in peace.
Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories and leave words of encouragement by visiting Claudia’s memorial at www.evangelinedelcambre.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.