Education – Vice Chair, Angela G. Cassimere

Academic and Leadership  Awards Reception – May of each year.

Highlights the merits of the  St. Landry Parish Public, Private, and Parochial schools' educational system through selected seniors’ recognition for academics and leadership.    All seniors receiving academic and leadership awards are  graduates  of  St. Landry Parish high schools, and  residents of St. Landry Parish. 

Student of the Year Award:

Participating high school principals, and staff are encouraged to nominate a top ranking graduate from their school for this award. All students are honored during the  Academic and Leadership Awards Reception

Scholarship Program:

Scholarships are awarded each year in May during the Academics and Leadership  Awards Banquet.  Students applying must be a graduate of a St. Landry Parish.   High School, and resident of St. Landry Parish.   Funding for  scholarships  donated by Chamber investors.    

Rod Manual Youth Community & Leadership  Service Award:

Recognizes a high school graduate, for their volunteer community involvement.   Not based on academic achievement.  

Tribute to Rod Manual:  A traveler met three stonecutters along a road and asked each  what he was doing.   The first man responded that he was cutting stone; the second said he was shaping a cornerstone, but the third proudly smiled and said, “I’m building a cathedral!   Rod Manual lived his life “to build cathedrals”.   Whether it was his tireless efforts on the  courthouse square retaining wall and beautification project,  a tourist center improvement, or taking care of litter, he always saw the big picture.   It’s been said that a great manager thinks about today and tomorrow.  And to his credit, Rod was a man who thought about the future of St. Landry Parish in his role as citizen, and could communicate that vision to others, especially our youth.   Our Chamber is honored to name this award in memory of his generous volunteer  services to mankind.   He was a loving husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle, defender of our country and a shining example of someone who truly loved this great place that we designate as home. 

Career Futures Expo & Reality Store

Through  Coordinated efforts of the  St. Landry Parish School Board, and the three parish Chambers,  high school students are given the opportunity for a “hands on”  approach to career planning.

Youth Leadership Council  (Meets Monthly) 

A junior and senior high school student from each high school,  is appointed by their principals/staff  to this council.  These students provide input to our Chamber on youth issues.   These YLC members assist our Chamber and other civic and non-profit organizations during  events.     In addition,   they are assigned to the various committees and councils of the Chamber, i.e., the Chair serves on our Board of Directors. 

Economic Development Awareness Seminars for Students:   

Pres/CEO of Chamber facilitates on-campus seminars to students making them aware of their responsibilities to their community, workforce development,  life skills which includes the importance of the three “R’s”  of character building; Respect, Restraint, Responsibility.

Technical Education / Community College

Chamber is represented on the Advisory Board of the Louisiana Technical College/T.H. Harris Campus at Opelousas, and the Washington Voc Tech Center.     In addition we are  supported of both the Louisiana State University at Eunice and the Technical colleges located in St. Landry Parish.