American Legion to name T’bonne’s Teen of the Year

American Legion Posts 31 in Houma, 272 of Montegut, 354 of Gibson, and 380 of Chauvin will present their 54th Teenager of the Year Award on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Lenox Hotard Post Hall in Houma.

Twenty-one nominees from six parish high schools were submitted to the application process. Academic records, accomplishments and areas of service are considered by American Legion judges to single out a final winner.

Nominees must be between the ages of 15 and 19 by Dec. 31, 2010, and must have been a resident of Terrebonne Parish for at least one year to be considered for this award.

The American Legion Teenager of the Year program began in 1957 with the first winner being Leo Hebert Jr. The 2009 Teenager of the Year was Jacob Peoples of Vandebilt Catholic High School.

“It is a pleasure to deal with 21 of the most outstanding students in the parish. The teenager of the year program singles out the teenager from the four public high schools and two private high schools that is outstanding in terms of support and service to their schools, church and community,” said Legion spokesman and Terrebonne Parish School Board President L.P. Bordelon.

The 2010 Teenager of the Year Award will feature presentations from Fletcher Technical Community College Chancellor Travis Lavigne, as well as representatives from the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, South Central Industrial Association, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Terrebonne Parish School Board.

Bordelon said that the event is open to the public at the cost of $15 per person and tickets can be secured by calling him at (985) 876-3305 or Commander Jack Croker at (985) 876-6598.

2010 American Legion Terrebonne Teenager of the Year Nominees

• Jonathan Andrew Borne, Houma Christian School, Ben and Mollie Borne

• Jessica Marie Bourque, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Phil and Mary Bourque

• Catherine Elizabeth Broussard, South Terrebonne High School, Ken and Elizabeth Broussard

• Chelsea Abigail Chaisson, South Terrebonne High School, George and Lawri Chaisson

• Holden Brooks Chancey, Terrebonne High School, Ricky and Rochelle Chancey

• Laureen Claire Cooper, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Patrick and Elizabeth Cooper

• Luke Carroll Daigle, H.L. Bourgeois High School, Dean and Tess Daigle

• Amber Michele Derouen, H.L. Bourgeois High School, Dennis and Michele Derouen

• Julia Rae Dowden, Terrebonne High School, Justin and Mary Dowden

• Britney Renee Fournier, Houma Christian School, Brian and Nancy Fournier

• Abby Marie Hargroder, Terrebonne High School, Todd and Leah Hargroder

• Megan Elizabeth Luke, Terrebonne High School, Terry and Dawn Luke

• Mallory Marie Martin, South Terrebonne High School, Lanny and Maxine Martin

• Brooke Ashleigh Porche, H.L. Bourgeois High School, Daniel and Kimberly Porche

• Colleen Elizabeth Robichaux, Vandebilt Catholic High School, George and Ann Robichaux

• Matthew Charles Spence, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Mark and Margaret Spence

• Carlton Allen Staidum Jr., Allen J. Ellender Memorial High School, Carlton Sr. and Sherry Staidum

• Grace Rene Trosclair, Houma Christian School, Vern and Tina Trosclair

• Brandy Vo, Allen J. Ellender Memorial High School, Thu Thi Bui Vo and the late Jimmy Vo

• Matthew John Walling, Allen J. Ellender Memorial High School, Douglas Sr. and Angela Walling

• Lindsay Michelle White, South Terrebonne High School, Timmy and Paula White