EPSB recognizes Mamou accomplishments

The Evangeline Parish School Board highlighted some of the achievements of Mamou High School and its students during its meeting Wednesday, May 7.
Superintendent Toni Hamlin said she would like to begin highlighting student accomplishments across the parish and was beginning with Mamou and its recent accomplishments in FFA and its fairly new oil and gas class. Mamou High School’s FFA instructor, Christina Lejeune informed the board that this year was an exceptional for the FFA program. She stated that her students placed fourth in the area forestry competition, which includes schools from Oakdale and Kinder, so it was quite an accomplishment. She also added it’s been almost 10 years since a student received an FFA state degree, and this year Mamou has produced two such students, Adam Bieber and Zack Israel. She also mentioned that Jordan Israel, another FFA students, became the first at Mamou High School to receive a $3,500 FFA scholarship.
Kip Manuel, coach and instructor of the oil and gas class, said that this class is two parts: basic production and safety. He stated nine parishes are taking part in the oil and gas class this year and many struggled, with a number of students failing the class, reportedly over 50 percent of students in one parish. However, in Mamou, he stated that out of the 15 students taking part in the class, all 15 passed. Not only that, but he said the class had the highest average in the State of Louisiana.
Manuel also added that the oil and gas class helps to prepare students for real-world employment in the oil industry and that passing the class looks great on a resume and is desirable for these oil companies who are hiring workers.