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India Dyson of Abbeville made her childhood dream come true last month by finishing the Louisiana Practical Nursing Program on the Gulf Area Campus in Abbeville.
Dyson was one of 40 graduates who celebrated last week when they received their nursing pins. But what makes Dyson’s pin ceremony different is that it almost did not happen.
Out of 40 students selected to begin the program, she was the last student selected.
“After having some difficulties early in my life, I didn’t think it would ever happen,” said Dyson, who is 39 years old. “However, I always believed that anything worth having, is worth fighting for, so my fight began in Spring of 2019.”
Once the program began, she ran into challenges. One of the first challenges was her age and how long she had been out of high school. While most of the new students in the program were just out of high school, Dyson had been out of high school for a while.
“Getting accepted in the practical nurse program (PN) was not an easy task,” said Dyson. “The PN program is very competitive and rigorous. As an older student, I didn’t think I could compete with the younger students in the class.”
There were times where she was close to quitting the program because she did not think she could survive.
“Many days I thought about quitting, but I was reminded of my dreams and the goals I had now set before me. I became eager and determined,” she said. “The harder the program got, the tougher I got.”
One person who convinced her not to quit was Gulf Coast Campus Director Lawana Stokes. The two sat together, and Stokes did her best to convince her to stay in the program.
“I reminded her this was her dream,” said Stokes. “I would try to motivate her.”
Stokes’ positive words did the trick and kept Dyson going.
I thought for sure it was over until I met, Ms. Lawana Stokes,” Dyson explained. “I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would meet someone that’s so passionate about their job and students. Ms. Stokes encouraged me, motivated me, and uplifted me with her kind words and prayers. Just when I thought it was over, here comes Ms. Stokes!”
Dyson finished the program with a 3.5 grade point average and now she waits for the graduation ceremony. She is proud of her accomplishment of finishing the PN program. She is also quick to point out, she could not have done it without family, friends, and Ms. Stokes pushing her.
“Thanks to my family, friends, and classmates in the PN program for helping me finish this race,” said Dyson. “Thank you, Ms. Stokes for pushing me when I had no push to move forward.
“I challenge all those who have a desire to become a nurse, ‘Go get it.’ It’s never too late and you are never too old!”
Stokes said they could not have been more proud of Dyson for completing the program.
“We both cried at the pinning ceremony,” said Stokes.
Applications for the summer and fall semester are still being accepted. Summer courses are online. Please stop in and visit the Gulf Area Campus today.

April 14, 1933 ~ May 29, 2020

ABBEVILLE—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 5, 2020 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Rita Ann Mayard Hebert, 87, who passed away peacefully at her home on May 29th, 2020. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Donald Bernard officiating the services.
She was born on April 14th, 1933, in Henry, LA, and attended school at E. Broussard High School in Forked Island before graduating from Abbeville High School in 1951.  On December 6th, 1953, she married Oliver “Bonney” Hebert, and together they had five children, Kathleen Rita Touchet (Patrick), Jackie Bullock (Stephen), Robert “Robbeaux” Hebert (Michele Toups), Lisa Johnson (David), and Jason Hebert. 
Rita’s life, although often joyful, was not an easy one. A quiet, lonely child, she worked hard as an adult to overcome her shyness.  Widowed at 42, she became a working mother to provide for her children, often sacrificing and doing without so they could have the things they needed.  She was first employed at Bordelon Hardware, and then spent 17 years working at Anthony’s Department Store.   
Rita loved to cook, always searching through her collection of well used cookbooks to find new recipes to try. She was a fearless explorer of different cuisines, but there were three dishes she prepared that consistently achieved perfection: a rich, melt-in-your-mouth cornbread dressing, a satiny smooth Thanksgiving giblet gravy, and a spicy corn casserole that we couldn’t fight over later because there were never any leftovers.  She was a good dancer and had great taste in music: among her favorites were Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, and her son Robb.  She disliked shopping, particularly for clothes and shoes, and had a hard time receiving gifts—she always felt we had spent too much or bought things that were “too nice” for her.  She loved venturing out to the grocery store-- as Jason would say, “Don’t go with her to Robie’s if you’re in a hurry! Mom knows everyone in the place and they all want to stop and talk with her.”
Rita will be remembered by her family and friends for her loving and generous heart, her kindness, and her stubborn streak.   Her smile was radiant.  She was thoughtful, open minded, and gracious, with a fun-loving sense of humor and a mischievous laugh. She doted on her little dog Daisy, and Daisy adored her in return. 
If there was one quality that defined Rita and set her apart, it would have to have been her unfailing belief in redemption. She had faith that no matter how many mistakes a person made in their lives, there would always be another opportunity to start over.  She saw each day as a new beginning, and firmly believed it was never too late for someone to make a change in their life for the better.  Hope had a permanent place in her heart.
She embraced rebirth; after all, she had managed to transform herself from an unsure and overwhelmed young widow into a woman who had the strength and determination to take on hardships with courage and grace.   
Along with her children, Rita is survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Josh Bullock (Johanna Piper),  Andrew Bullock (Andrea Orozco Carmona), Camille Bullock Pozderac (Jon,)and Melissa Moore (Jimmy); along with three great grandchildren, Sofi Bullock-Orozco, Ethan Humble, and Maya Mosley, with another great granddaughter due in the fall.   In addition, she had one great-great grandchild, Ezra Shea Humble.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver V. Hebert; her father, Robert Mayard; her mother and stepfather, Eunice Menard Mayard Hebert and Fernand Hebert; and her brother, Paul Royal Mayard. 
Rita also leaves behind many loving friends and relatives, including her niece and godchild, Tami Mayard Baudoin; her uncle and aunt, Raywood and Rose Menard, their son Randy Menard, his wife Theresa, and their children.
She will be sorely missed by us all.
The family would like to thank Whitney Credeur of Hospice of Acadiana for the gentle care she gave our mother and the comfort and support she provided to us.
There will be a private viewing by the family, and then a Mass of Christian burial at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 5th at Saint Mary Magdalen church, 300 Pere Megret Street, Abbeville La.   Masks are required, and social distancing is strongly encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, Rita’s memory may be honored by sending donations to Hospice of Acadiana (hospiceofacadiana.com), or Old Dog Haven (olddoghaven.org.).  Family and friends are encouraged to share their condolences, memories, and stories in her online guestbook: @vincentfuneralhome.net
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.

The state of Louisiana has approved the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program, which will help families who normally receive free and reduced-price meals at school purchase groceries for their households.
This program is also available to all students who attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school. The CEP schools for the Vermilion Parish School Board include Abbeville High, Cecil Picard Elementary, Dozier Elementary, Eaton Park Elementary, Erath Middle, Forked Island/E. Broussard Elementary, Gueydan High, Herod Elementary, Indian Bayou Elementary, J. H. Williams Middle, Jesse Owens Elementary, Kaplan Elementary, Kaplan High School, LeBlanc Elementary, Meaux Elementary, North Vermilion Middle, Rene Rost Middle, and Seventh Ward Elementary.
The P-EBT program was authorized by Congress in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. Students that qualify for the program will receive a debit card from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services in the amount of $285 which must be used within 365 days.
To qualify for the P-EBT program, households must complete the online application at https://pebt.doe.louisiana.gov/PublicApps/SNP/. The enrollment for this program will end on June 7, 2020. To complete the application, the following information will be needed:
• Parent and student name • Date of birth • Social security number • Home address • School name • School district
Due to the continuous changes in the economic environment from COVID-19, if your household’s financial situation changes, please complete on online Meals Benefits Application at https://www.myschoolapps.com/.
For more details about the P-EBT program, visit www.vpsb.net or contact the Child Nutrition Program Department at 337-898-5802.

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Danielle Marie Leger, 36, will be private for the family.
Public visitation will be in David Funeral Home of Erath Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 5:00PM until 9:00PM with recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume Friday, June 5, 2020 from 9:00AM until noon.
Danielle, a native and life resident of Vermilion Parish passed away Tuesday June 2, 2020 in her residence. She was a people person and enjoyed the company of others including her family, friends and music festivals. She was a loving and devoted mother and her children were her world.
She is survived by her children, Kaitlynn Choate, Peyton Choate and Taylor Choate, the father of her children, Robie O. Choate, her parents, Carl and Vicky Moneaux Leger, and her sisters, Desiree Leger Meaux and husband Rusty, Devon Leger Richard and husband Joey.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Joseph N. and Eunice T. Leger, her maternal grandparents, John and Lola Moneaux and her godfather Tommy Leger.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath is in charge of the arrangements 209 E. Putnam St. Erath, LA 70533 (337) 937-0405