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Superintendent Jerome Puyau tells central office employees that Vermilion Parish now has the second best school district in Louisiana.

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Central Office employees hold up No. 2 to show the new state rankings.

Vermilion Parish School System is now the second best school system in Louisiana

Vermilion Parish School Superintendent Jerome Puyau was almost in tears when he made the big announcement Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Central Office employees gathered outside under the giant oak tree to hear the great news from Puyau.
He told the central office employees and sent out an email to every school employee that the Vermilion Parish School system now the second-best school district in Louisiana.
“This was a team effort,” said Puyau.
Vermilion Parish is No. 2 out of 72 districts. The top-ranked district in the state is the Zachary School District, which has lesser schools than Vermilion Parish.
Last year the district ranked No. 4 and had climbed to No. 2 over a seven-year period. When Puyau took over the superintendent, the parish ranked No. 12
Puyau also announced that for the first time, Vermilion Parish has no “D” schools. Eaton Park Elementary and Herod Elementary, which were once “D” schools, can now boast they are “C” schools.
For the first time ever, all of Vermilion Parish High Schools are all “A” schools. That includes Abbeville High, Erath High, North Vermilion, Gueydan and Kaplan.

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Gerald David Libersat, Sr.

February 17, 1940 ~ November 4, 2019

ABBEVILLE—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Gerald David Libersat, Sr., 79, who died Monday, November 4, 2019 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Louis Richard officiating the services. Vocalist for the service will be Barrett Bertrand, and lectors, Shannon and Keri. Pallbearers will be Jacob, Brock and Colin Broussard, Brooks and Barrett Bertrand, and Mark Libersat.
Gerald will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends as a selfless, admirable caretaker and role model not only dedicated to his family and faith whole heartedly but also to his community, serving as past president and board member of the Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District for 31 years, Board of Directors of Bank of Abbeville, Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years, serving as president 1986-1987, Woodmen of the World Association member for over 15 years. Retired owner of Murphy’s Lease and Welding. Besides his ultimate passion toward his family, his other great passion was his love of horse racing. Throughout his 32 years in the industry he has been recognized as a leading owner and breeder with an impressive career including 159 wins, 147 second wins and 167 third place finishes. With the help of his son and trainer, Kevin Broussard, together some of their greatest accomplishments include winning 30+ year Breeder Award, along with setting numerous track records and being a leader in the industry. He has also served as president of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association. It is with great honor his family will continue to carry on his great legacy.
He is survived by his caretaker and loving wife of 37 years, Julie; son, Kevin and his wife Jill; daughters, Keri, Shannon and Lisa; nine grandchildren, Brock, Jacob, Colin, Jenna, Anna, Kaitlyn, Kylie, Brooks and Barrett; and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, May and Murphy “Mutt” Libersat; son, Gerald “Boz” Libersat, Jr.; and brothers, Donald Libersat and Rodney Libersat.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 9:00 AM until 2:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary being prayed at 2:00 PM.
The Libersat family would like to thank St. Joseph Hospice and Senior Helpers, along with a special thanks to Regina, Roz and Mrs. Kitty.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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Lolian “Toot” Bares Bernard

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Lolian “Toot” Bares Bernard, 90, will be held at 3:00PM on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at LeBlanc Cemetery.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 from 9:00AM until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 11:00AM.
A native and lifelong resident of the LeBlanc Community, Mrs. Bernard died at 7:25PM on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Pelican Point Nursing Center. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters, the Ladies Alter Society, and the Homemaker Club. She enjoyed sewing, camping, and was an avid reader.
She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Lydier “T-Beb” Bernard of the LeBlanc Community; a daughter, Cynthia Drott and her husband Ted; three sons, Ricky Bernard and his wife Jackie, Barry Bernard and his wife Sue, and Gerard Bernard and his wife Thelma; a brother, Allen Bares, Sr.; nine grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edier and Effie Broussard Bares; a brother, Raymond Bares; and a sister, Janell Thomas.
Serving as pallbearers will be Adam Bernard, Ross Bernard, Josh Bernard, Nason Bernard, Coby Bernard, Jeremy Leger, and Aaron McCain.
The family was like to extend a special thanks to Pelican Point Staff; Hospice of Acadiana; and Grace Hospice.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

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Irene Faulk Guidry

May 14, 1928 ~ November 2, 2019

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church honoring the life of Irene Faulk Guidry, 91, who died Saturday, November 2, 2019 at St. Agnes Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. François Sainte-Marie officiating the services.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Susan Guidry; son, Randy Guidry and his wife Alana; ten grandchildren, Rocky Guidry, Bruce Meaux, Stoni Meaux, Scotty Guidry, April Guidry Landry, Christopher Guidry, Demi Breaux, Emily Guidry, Daniel Guidry and Ellie Guidry; and eighteen great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Guidry; parents, Issac Faulk and the former Lorita East; and brother, Lovelace Faulk.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Wednesday, November 6, 2019, from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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John Jimmy Landry

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Leroy, LA for John Jimmy Landry, 87, who passed away on November 1, 2019.
Father Johnathan Janise will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Burial will take place in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery.
Jimmy, a resident of Andrew, was the son of the late Philogene Landry and the former Edress McEvers. A graduate of Indian Bayou, he then served as an Army medic in the Korean War. After the war, Jimmy attended LSU where he met his lovely wife, Elaine. In 1955, he was a graduate of the 1st class of the Baton Rouge Police Academy. Through the course of his career, Jimmy attended LSU Law Enforcement Institute and the FBI Academy. Chief of Detectives, J.J. Landry of BRPD retired after 30 years of service. He enjoyed family gatherings, cooking for family, friends & fund-raisers, playing cards & dominoes, and fishing.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Elaine Landry. The loving father of seven children, Diana married to Bill Little; Deidra married to the late Sam Perkins; the late Philo Gene Landry and surviving wife, Leslie; Robert Anthony Landry married to Elaine; Edress Landry; Terry married to Alan Self; Daphne married to Kenneth LeMaire.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM. A Rosary will be recited prior to beginning Mass at 11:00 AM.
Pallbearers will be Marshall Woodard, Jr; Tyler Bonin; Christopher Landry; Robert James Landry; Bruce LeMaire; and Gene Landry.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert Anthony Landry, Jon Weems, Todd Landry, Aaron Landry, Cody Mitzimberg, Nicholas Self, Donovan Self, and Matthew LeMaire.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Landry family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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Jacob Landry

Jacob Landry Working with Economic Development Board on behalf of Erath

To help provide vision, direction, and programming for the parish’s economic development agency, area stakeholders appoint a diverse mix of professionals to the organization’s 15-member board. The Vermilion Economic Development Alliance board members represent Vermilion Parish cities, towns, and government organizations as well as the Chamber of Commerce.
In July of 2015, Jacob Landry was appointed to the board by then mayor John Earl LeBlanc. Now, four years later, Jacob has continued his service under the new administration and Mayor Taylor Mencacci. Jacob is an Erath native and currently resides in his hometown with his wife Hannah and his two children Jack and Jules. He is a 1997 graduate of Erath High School and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then USL.
Jacob is an active member of the Vermilion Parish business community – he’s the co-owner of Industrial and Oilfield Services and Enviro-Resources – and is active in the public sector, also. Jacob is a member of Vermilion Parish Port Commission in addition to serving on the VEDA board. Both boards work to leverage the unique assets their districts have to offer into business opportunities. He’s a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne, too. The Landrys even served as krewe royalty earlier this year!
Jacob’s business relationships and acumen have been a welcome addition the economic development board. He is attuned to the challenges faced by industry and works hard through his volunteer participation to eliminate obstacles for businesses to succeed.
Vermilion Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Anne Falgout appreciates the insight Jacob brings to the table. “Jacob is a connecter and collaborator. When he sits at our table, he’s there to get us closer to where we need to be. He is quick to offer guidance and steps in to close the gaps. He has embraced his role in economic development and represents the interests of his hometown well. We are excited to work with him and the other organizations he serves as we move forward.”
For more information about the Alliance, its board, and its progress in 2019, visit www.developvermilion.org.

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Cameron Alexander Trahan and Julia Renee Whittle

Julia Renee Whittle engaged to marry Cameron AlexanderTrahan

Couple to exchange vows at Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Choate (Manita) are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter Miss Julia Renee Whittle of Erath, LA to Cameron Alexander Trahan of New Iberia, LA.
Julia is a 2014 graduate of Erath High School. She attended SLCC-Gulf Area Campus and graduated in 2015 with a Technical Degree in Cosmetology. She is currently a Cosmetologist at Smart Style in Abbeville.
Cameron is the son of Mr. and Mrs Troy Trahan (Marsha). He graduated from Westgate High School of New Iberia in 2015. He attended SLCC-Lafayette Campus and graduated in 2016 with an Electrician Technical Degree. He is an Instrumentation & Electrical Technician at Linear Controls
The couple plan to exchange their vows during a 3:00 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, November 16 at Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville, LA.

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Gloria Ann Duhon Vincent

February 25, 1943 ~ October 31, 2019

LEROY — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 4, 2019 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church honoring the life of Gloria Ann Duhon Vincent, 76, who died Thursday, October 31, 2019 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. Alphonsus Cemetery with Reverend Johnathan Janise officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Jacob Vincent, Jace Vincent, Ethan Comeaux, Craig Richard, Blane Comeaux and Michael Landry.
Gloria is survived by her spouse of 57 years, Tommy John Vincent of Maurice; one son, Patrick Vincent and his wife Tammy of Maurice; one daughter, Angela Landry and her husband Michael of Maurice; three grandchildren, Jacob Vincent and his wife Danielle, Jace Vincent and his wife Paige, and Lani Landry; one great granddaughter, Lennon Vincent; one sister, Theresa Steen of Abbeville; and two nieces, Kathi Comeaux and Vicki Schof.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ledian Duhon and the former Ursule Touchet; and an infant brother.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Sunday, November 3, 2019 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Monday, November 4, 2019 from 8:00 AM until 10:30 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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Kendrick Baudoin heads for the goal line.

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NV defensive lineman Jaden Martinez tackles a Eunice player.

Turnovers hurt North Vermilion against Eunice

LEROY – The North Vermilion Patriots would like to make a habit of state playoff action.
They wouldn’t mind achieving the consistency enjoyed by the Eunice Bobcats, last year’s LHSAA Class 3A champions and a 4A hopeful this season.
What they got instead on Friday night was a lesson in just how quickly opportunity can slip away.
The Patriots served up four turnovers – all of which were turned into opposing touchdowns – to pave the way to a 57-19 home loss to Eunice.
On the one time in the first half they didn’t give the ball away, NVHS put together a 15-play, 70-yard TD drive. But that only closed the gap to 29-7, Bobcats, who were in turn ahead 36-7 at half.
“I think we can play with them if we don’t turn it over,” said a frustrated but undaunted NVHS coach Brett Blakey. “You can’t turn the ball over like that against a good team, and Eunice is a great team. I think they’re a quarterfinal team.”
Eunice improved to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in District 4-4A, while North Vermilion lost a chance to win the district, slipping to 5-4, 2-2, with a challenging final up next at St. Thomas More.
“I think we’re in (the playoffs),” Blakey said. “We’ve got 5 wins. We bead Ascension Episcopal, which has 8, and Rayne (27-0). If we can win next week, we could get a home playoff game. That would be good.”
Blakey heaped praise on his offense, which had scoring dives of 70, 57 and 67 yards in defeat.
“I like the way we moved the ball,” he said. “We only punted once, and that was late in the game. Our offensive line is looking good, after we grabbed three guys (tight end, linebacker, defensive lineman) early in the season who had never played there and threw them in there.
“They have done well.”
But those turnovers, Ugh.
“We couldn’t even get a minute on the sidelines to go over some things they were doing on offense,” Blakey said. “We’d start to talk, and then it was ‘get back out there,”
“The turnovers obviously helped,” said Eunice coach Paul Trosclair, “but our offene is reallu playng at a high level right now.”
Eunice was led by twis, quarterback Simeon Ardoin (14-of-15, 171 yards, 4 TD passing, 7-105-1 rushing) and tailback Deon Ardoin (21-182-3).
Kendrick Beaudoin scored twice from 1 and 7 yards, while quarteback Darius Gilliam had a 12-yard score.
The climb to Class 4A is a challenging one. Doing so while handing out party favors will make the journey a painful one.

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Erath High Jax Thibodeaux (5) fell on the ball in the end zone as time expired. (photo courtesy of Jan Talbot)

Ball bounces Erath's way in final seconds against Crowley

ERATH - The Erath Bobcats had the ball bounce their way Friday night against the Crowley Gents.
The Bobcats were around Crowley’s 5-yard line with nine seconds remaining in the game when the miracle happened.
Erath High’s backup quarterback Ryan Richard, playing in place of the injured Luke LeBlanc, got the ball and went around to try and run it into the end zone. However, he was hit, and the football popped out of hands and rolled into the end zone.
Erath running back Jax Thibodeaux and receiver Lane Toups saw the ball rolling around. Thibodeaux fell on the ball as time expired, and as soon as he fell on it, the EHS crowd erupted.
“I realized when I was on top of the ball, that it was a touchdown,” said Thibodeaux.
Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc never saw Richard fumble.
“Honestly, I never saw the fumble or the recovery,” said Coach LeBlanc. “I saw the sideline judge moving in for the spot, so I was calling our next play. Then I hear everyone going crazy on the sideline and in the stands.”
It was at that point that the head coach figured out his team won.
The Bobcats came from behind to beat Crowley 40-36, and it keeps them in line to win a piece of the District 6-3A title. All they have to do now is beat Abbeville next week, and they would finish tied with Kaplan (3-1 in district) and St. Martinville (3-1) for the title.
Richard, a sophomore, had to get into the game with about three minutes left, when starting quarterback Luke LeBlanc was sidelined after a hard hit by the Gents’ defenders.
On the final drive, Richard threw a pass to Colton Punch in the end zone on the fourth down. Punch missed the ball, and Crowley thought the game was over. But, there was a yellow flag that hit the ground on the play.
The Gents were called for a pass interference on the play that gave Erath the ball and another chance to win the game.
Luke completed 16 out of 29 passes for 360 yards and two scores.
Colton Punch had a great game catching the football. He had seven catches for 196 yards and two TDs.
Ryan Richard also had a nice night catching the ball. He had seven catches for 128 yards.

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Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

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219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548