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Dustin Dale Gaspard, a singer from Vermilion Parish, put everything he had into his performance on “The Voice,” but his run on the popular show ended Monday night.
Coach Niall Horan enjoyed Gaspard’s version of “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes, but after the Knockouts Round, he chose Kirbi to move forward.
Gaspard, from Cow Island in Vermilion Parish, shared his Cajun roots with the world through his song choices, musical skills, and stories about life in Acadiana.
On Monday’s show, Gaspard had to miss rehearsal because of a health issue. As a member of Team Niall Horan, he also missed the chance to meet singer Joe Walsh.
After being eliminated, Gaspard told South Louisiana why he missed rehearsal. He explained that he had COVID the week before and had to quarantine in the lead-up to his performance.
“I wish I had not caught COVID,” Gaspard said in his live Facebook post on Monday. “It is what it is. Do not bite your nails in an airport. That is a big lesson I learned here.”
Gaspard said he was not sad at all that his time on TV had ended.
“I am happier than anything in the entire world,” he said. “Vocally, I am the best I have ever been. I feel great. I feel hungry.”
“There is a lot more ahead of me. I am honored to connect with anyone who has been touched by my music. I am so very grateful.”
He also thanked everyone from The Voice and all his supporters in Louisiana.

There is a new, albeit familiar, face helping to lead the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce.
Claire Broussard has been named the chamber’s new executive director. She will replace Lauren Trahan, who stepped down from the role during the summer.
Broussard has been involved with the chamber as a board member and other capacities for several years.
“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Chamber Board of Directors, the Vermilion Economic Development Alliance Board and the FUEL Vermilion Board,” Broussard said. “I currently serve as Chair of the Abbeville Cajun Christmas Celebration. I am also a proud member of the Rotary Club of Abbeville, an organization that reflects my passion for service and community.”
Broussard is familiar with many in the community, one she is proud to call home.
“In true Vermilion Parish fashion,” Broussard said, “I’ll go ahead and answer the question we all like to ask: “Who’s your mom and dad?” My parents are Jim and Diane Meaux Broussard and I’m proud to be from a family with deep roots right here in Vermilion Parish.”
Broussard’s own personal experiences will help shape what she brings to her new role. She has been involved with the American Cancer Society for more than 15 years, serving on the Black and White Gala Committee and as an ACT Lead with ACS CAN (Cancer Action Network) for Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District.
“As a 16-year breast cancer survivor, I’m deeply passionate about advocacy, awareness, and the importance of giving back. Through these roles, I’ve seen firsthand how compassion, leadership, and teamwork can create lasting change, and that same spirit is what I’m excited to bring to the Chamber.”
Focusing on those who make up the chamber and beyond will be a driving force for Broussard.
“As a small business owner, I understand the importance of supporting local businesses and fostering relationships that help our community thrive,” Broussard said. “My experience in the tourism industry has given me first-hand knowledge of how visitors fall in love with Vermilion Parish. From our amazing food to our beautiful downtowns, charming local shops, and most importantly, our unmatched southern hospitality, Vermilion Parish always leaves a lasting impression.”
Board member and Chamber Vice President Carl Toups said he feels Broussard will bring a fresh perspective to the role.
“I’m beyond excited to welcome Claire Broussard as our new Executive Director to the Vermilion Parish Chamber of Commerce,” Toups said. “Claire’s energy and familiarity with our vision are exactly what is needed to elevate and promote all things Vermilion. Big things are ahead for our businesses, our community, and our beloved Vermilion parish!”
Broussard said she looks forward to building momentum with each and every board member.
“I’m excited to work alongside our dedicated Board of Directors and our wonderful Assistant Director, Judy Mire, who continues to do an incredible job supporting our members and events,” Broussard said.
There is one upcoming event, along with a long-standing program, that already has Broussard’s focus.
“I’ll be jumping right in with two big projects: this year’s Women’s Leadership Luncheon (coming up Dec. 12 at Magdalen Place) and Leadership Vermilion, as we prepare to welcome our new class in January,” Broussard said. “I want to give a big thank you to the Women’s Luncheon Committee for the amazing job they’ve done getting this year’s event ready. I can’t wait to celebrate alongside everyone!”
Broussard urged members to be on the or upcoming educational workshops, Lunch & Learns, and Breakfast Sessions designed to help you strengthen your business, gain new insights, and build relationships that make a difference.
“Looking ahead, my goal is to add even more value to your Chamber membership by offering new opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together,” Broussard said. “If there are topics or ideas you’d love to see the Chamber cover, please let me know.
“I want this organization to reflect the needs and voices of our members.”
She wants to hear from those members.
“Please know that my door and inbox are always open,” Broussard said. “I can’t wait to hear from you, whether you have ideas to share, questions to ask, or just want to grab coffee and chat about what’s next for Vermilion Parish.”

ERATH – The No. 5 Erath Bobcats scored five touchdowns in the first quarter en route to a 56-0 victory over the No. 28 Bogalusa Lumberjacks in the opening round of the Division III Non-Select playoffs at Robert J. Segura Memorial Stadium Friday night.
The Bobcats (11-0) entered week 11 riding high after securing the first unblemished regular season in school history in week 10, and they did not let off the gas. Ten minutes into the game, Erath led 36-0. The defense set a school record for fewest total yards allowed and tied the record for fewest rushing yards allowed.
“The guys played great,” said Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc. “We scored a touchdown in all three phases tonight. Special teams scored one, the defense scored one, and the offense had the rest. Our defense held them to -51yards in the first half and finished the game allowing record lows in rushing yards (-48) and total yards (-15). It was a good night for the Bobcats.”
Last season, Erath had a bye in the Bi-District round and got upset by Loreauville in the Regional round. This year, Leblanc said his team was happy not to get a first-round bye.
“Our seniors wanted to play, so the coaches wanted to play,” LeBlanc said. “We all went through last season together, and we wanted it to be different.
“A bye benefits a team on a backwards slide, or a team trying to get healthy. We wanted to keep the momentum going. The only way to do that was to be outside the top four.”
The Bobcats will host No. 12 Union Parish (6-5) in the second round. The Farmers defeated No. 21 Rayville in round one, 41-18. LeBlanc plans to continue doing what got them here.
“We’re going to do the same things we do every week,” LeBlanc said. “The coaches will come up with a great game plan that puts the guys in the best position to be successful. Then the guys will go out there on Friday night and execute with physicality and precision.”
The Bobcats opened the floodgates just over a minute into the game when Jahlil Charles plunged across the goal line from three yards out. The two-point conversion made it 8-0 with 10:57 left on the clock.
Aiden Bourque scored Erath’s second touchdown when he ran it in from six yards out. Nine seconds later, Chales stepped in front of a Bogalusa pass while on defense and returned it for Erath’s third touchdown. Carlos Arellano booted both extra points to make it 22-0 with 8:20 to play.
Just over five minutes later, Bourque scored his second rushing touchdown from eight yards out to make it 29-0 before Landon Lemaire went around the left side and found the end zone from 13 yards away to make it 36-0.
Erath’s special teams got in the scoring column in the second quarter when the Bobcats blocked a punt and Owen Landry recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown and a 43-0 lead. Quarterback Jack Landry connected with receiver Carter Champagne for a three-yard touchdown pass before Arellano kicked his sixth extra point to make it 50-0 at the half.
Sophomore Ean LeBlanc capped the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Landry finished 14-of-16 for 126 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Bourque ran for 24 yards and a touchdown on three carries. He also threw two passes for 45 yards. LeMaire had 17 yards and a touchdown on two carries, and Ean LeBlanc added 16 yards and a score on four carries.

Charles had three yards and a touchdown on one carry, a 15-yard catch, and a pick-six as a linebacker. Tate Collins caught four passes for 29 yards, Ayden Tallmore had two catches for 24 yards, and Champagne added a three-yard touchdown reception.

The Kaplan Pirates moved on to the second round of the Division III Non-Select Playoffs after surprising No. 12 Pine with a 34-18 win on Friday. Their next opponent will bring a different style of football.
The Pirates (6-5) travel to Kinder to battle the No. 4 Yellowjackets, who drew a bye in the first round.
The Yellowjackets are undefeated at 10-0, averaging 48 points per game on offense and allowing 21 points per game on defense.
They have scored 60 points in one game and topped 50 points five times this season.
Their lowest offensive output was 22 points, which came in a 22-20 win over Eunice.
“They have good athletes who move quickly to the ball,” said KHS Head Coach John Thompson, who earned his first playoff win as a high school head coach. “They play a spread offense.”
In short, Kinder likes to throw the football.
Pine completed just four passes in the whole game against Kaplan. Kinder will likely complete that many in their first offensive series.
The player-leader of Kinder’s offense is Isiah Thomas, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 175 pounds. Thomas is considered one of the top passing quarterbacks in the state. He has thrown for 1,990 yards and rushed for 600 more. He has completed 108 of 205 passes for 22 touchdowns, with only three interceptions in those attempts. Against Logansport earlier in the year, Thomas rushed 229 yards and threw for 169 yards.
Thomas has several reliable receivers, with Brandon “King” Perkins, who is 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, as his main target. Over the past two years, Perkins has collected more than 1,600 receiving yards and over 100 catches.
This season, Perkins has 40 catches for 819 yards and seven touchdowns.
“We know Kinder is going to score. But we have to do our best to get them off the field. We can’t let them keep converting third downs. If they make a big play, our players need to forget it and focus on the next play. In football, you have to have a short memory.”
The Pirates hope to have a balanced offense again, like they did against Pine. Kaplan rushed for 120 yards and passed for 185 yards in that game.
It was only the second time this season that Kaplan passed for more yards than they rushed.
Kaplan ran for 120 yards, and quarterback Sabe David threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns. That brings his season total to a career-best 829 passing yards.
“People have underestimated Sabe,” said Thompson. “In my opinion, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the district.”
David threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Roy and a 42-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Devoltz against Pine. Roy finished with two catches for 73 yards.
Over 11 games, Roy has 19 catches for 355 yards and five touchdowns, while Devoltz has eight catches for 134 yards and one touchdown.
Friday’s playoff win also marked the return of Kaplan running back DaMarion Cormier, who had missed two games with a shoulder injury. Cormier has nearly 1,100 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games. Against Pine, he scored twice, with a 28-yard touchdown run and a 4-yard touchdown run in the second half to secure the win.
With the Pirates leading in the fourth quarter, the Kaplan defense kept Pine from scoring, while the offense ran down the clock.
Cody Clement made a big impact on defense, recording five tackles, returning a fumble for a 32-yard touchdown, and grabbing a fourth-quarter interception.