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As students return from the Louisiana Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) 2019 State Leadership Conference, one Vermilion Parish student is coming back to Kaplan High School with a new role to fill for the next year.
Carina Chargois, daughter of CJ and Tina Chargois, a sophomore at Kaplan High School, was elected to serve as Louisiana FCCLA 2019-2020 State President.
To become a state officer, Chargois underwent an extensive process including an FCCLA knowledge test, interviews, a fishbowl session, team-building exercises, and a public speech for the state delegation. When questioned as to what motivated her to run for office, Chargois states, “At my very first FCCLA meeting, I saw several state officers in their official red blazers giving speeches and interacting with FCCLA members from around the state. I aspired to be in that position and I set a goal to one day be on the State Executive Council. I am truly honored to serve Louisiana FCCLA in this capacity!”
“This is the first time a KHS student has served the organization on the State Executive Council”, says Katelyn Bares, Kaplan FCCLA Chapter Adviser. “To see one of my students answer that call of leadership is humbling and very exciting. I look forward to the leadership that Carina will bring not only to our FCCLA Chapter at Kaplan, but throughout the State of Louisiana.”
During the next year, Chargois, along with the other State Executive Council members, will plan and execute the two state events including the Fall Leadership Rally and the 2020 State Leadership Conference. Additionally, Chargois will travel across the state and meet with other FCCLA chapters to promote the organization along with Family and Consumer Sciences and Career and Technical Education. When asked about goals for her term, Chargois stated, “As the newly elected President, my main focus is increasing awareness of our organization in schools and in the community. I would like to increase the number of affiliated chapters and members throughout the state. I want to assist in developing partnerships with other organizations, companies, nonprofits, and corporations that can directly benefit from the knowledgeable and skilled students that FCCLA produces”.
Chargois will also attend the 2019 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California. She represents Louisiana not only as State President, but also as a candidate for the National Executive Council. Chargois will be among applicants from all over the United States vying for one of ten spots on the National Council. In addition to being the youth governing body of the organization, the council aids in national program development, program implementation, and public relations. The election process is rigorous, spanning the course of five days. Time spent as a national officer candidate is a true test of individual’s knowledge, interpersonal communication skills, and most importantly, character.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, career, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences Education. FCCLA is unique among youth organizations because it is the only national in-school organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities

ERATH — Memorial Services for Robert J. Gary, 50, will be 2:00PM Thursday May 9, 2019 at David Funeral Home of Erath with Father Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at a later date.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath Thursday May 9, 2019 from 10:00AM until service time.
Robert, born in Lafayette, and a resident of Erath passed away Wednesday May 1, 2019 in his residence. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of Desert Storm and was employed as a security guard for many years. He was a very warm hearted person who never met a stranger.
He is survived by his parents, Opha Jr. and Rose Faulk Gary of Erath, his siblings, Russell Gary and wife Donna of Lafayette, Karen G. Lanclos and husband Adam of Erath, Ryan Gary and wife Aimee of Boyce, nephews, Dyllon Menard of Erath, Jade Lanclos of Erath, nieces, Alyssa George of San Clemente, CA, Samantha Gary of Lafayette , Rilyn Gary of Lafayette and Amber Lanclos.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org. David Funeral Home of Erath is in charge of arrangements 209 E. Putnam Street Erath, LA 70533 (337) 937-0405.

A night of songs and the inspiration for those melodies are on the slate for the Vermilion Songwriters Night on Saturday at the Richard Sale Barn located south of Abbeville.
The first-ever “Vermilion Songwriters Night” will showcase the talents of Wade Richard (Gueydan), Garland Thompson (Abbeville), Jason Harrington (Abbeville) and Michael Juan Nunez (Erath).
These four musicians will take center stage together along with moderator and event organizer, John Buckelew to perform their own songs and tell what inspired them. It will be a special opportunity to get to know these talented artists and hear their stories. They will perform their original songs.
“It lets people see their diversity of style of music,” said Buckelew. “It is something that has never been done in Vermilion Parish. It also lets people know about the songwriters’ backgrounds and who they are as a person.”
Tickets for this concert are $15 and can be purchased online at www.richardsalebarn.com, Robies Food Center, and Piazza Office Supply in
Abbeville. For more information on this show, you can email Kathy at lebayousalebarn@gmail.com or call 337-893-5760.
The Richard Sale Barn is located at 1307 S. Henry St. in Abbeville, and is always a smoke-free concert. The doors open at 6 p.m. with the performance beginning promptly at 7 p.m.
Here is the list of the four song writers who will be featured Saturday night.
• Wade Richard hails from Gueydan, the Duck Capital of American and has performed for the past 50 years. He currently provides his extraordinary guitar abilities to the bands of T.J. Gautreaux and Damon Troy. His long list of achievements include traveling the world with Wayne Toups, being selected in the second round of America’s Got Talent with his son Joey, and having three of his many songs recorded “Please Explain”, Heartbroken Little Boy” and “She’s Mine”.
• Garland Thompson is known across Vermilion Parish for his gritty voice, his long repertoire of classic country and Cajun music, and the stories that go along with them. The influence of the late Merle Haggard, George Jones and Hank Williams can be heard is all his songs. His natural talent and love of music was demonstrated at an early age as he was mentored and supported by Louisiana legend JB Pere.
•Jason Harrington’s been playing music for as long as anyone can remember. Born and raised in Vermilion Parish, Jason took to lyrics and melodies fairly naturally. Singing along to tunes in his dad’s welding truck has evolved into composing, recording, teaching, and performing music that people want to listen to. Now, as a resident of Lafayette, he’s substituted the gear shifter for an actual microphone and has even started building them himself. He is known for his songwriting, craftsmanship, can be found on stage, in the classroom or in the studio learning and teaching and always exploring the ways to push boundaries of his own artistry.
• Michael Juan Nunez has performed many times (thirteen Christmas Blues of the Bayou Concerts) at the Richard Sale barn. His original music and guitar styles are what bring fans to hear him year after year. He has four CD’s to his resume and has his own label: Parish Line that keeps his songs in his own hands and control. Sounds from Nunez’s deep Vermilion Parish roots are what stir fans when they hear his lyrics and melodies. But it is his love of family that stands out most in his songs.
John Buckelew will serve as moderator and it was his idea to begin hosting a Vermilion Songwriters Night at the Barn. He is a Louisiana native, whose talents include being a songwriter and a musician. He learned to play the fiddle from James Marvin Choate (The Melody Aces Band) who backed rising country stars such as George Jones and Jimmy C. Newman at The Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, LA. A resident of Vermilion Parish for 40 years, Buckelew is a fiddler and vocalist in the soulful and swingy Jazz and Blues band; The Nouveau String Band and is also a founding member of the all star Lafayette Western Swing ensemble, Stop the Clock Cowboy Jazz band.

December 19, 1962 ~ April 28, 2019

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM on Friday, May 3, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Clifford James Dugas, 56, who died Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Lafayette General Medical Center. He will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Brent Suire, Jr., Jasper Turner, Bradley Gary, Rocky Pierce, Dylan Dugas and Clint Melancon. Honorary pallbearers will be Buford T., Brennan Gary, Brandon Degeyter, Brayton Degeyter, Ashton Suire, Shaylon Casey, Julius Morvant, Jr., Nathan Gary, Julius Morvant, Sr. and Kirk Frederick.
Clifford is survived by his fiancée, Alice R. Gary; two sons, Bradley Gary and Rocky Pierce and his wife Sandra; two daughters, Ashley Gary and her companion Jasper Turner, and Britlynn Suire, Jr. and her husband Brent, Jr.; grandchildren, Brennan Gary, Brandon Degeyter, Nathan Gary, Brayton Degeyter, Alayna Suire, Ashton Suire and Brookelynn +-Degeyter; brother, Julius Morvant, Sr.; and sisters, Wanda Melancon and Elta Wilson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifton Dugas and the former Anna Mae Morvant; one sister, Ledia Dugas; and one brother, Clint Dugas.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, May 3, 2019 from 8:30 AM until time of services. A rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM.
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.