Join Tonight’s Virtual Meeting of The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
January 27, 2022
From the Top
January 27, 2022
Congratulations to award recipients from the 2022 Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet!
2022 recipients included the American Legion Teenager of the Year, Eugene J. Folse Outstanding Veteran Award, 2021 Small and Large Businesses of the year, The Courier’s Most Useful Citizen Award, and the 2021 Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
American Legion Teenager of the Year
Evan Blanchard (middle) American Legion Teenager of the Year © Heidi Guidry
Congratulations to Evan Blanchard from Terrebonne High School for being selected as the Teenager of the Year! Blanchard was chosen out of 28 students for his outstanding achievement in school and community activities. He received a $1,500 scholarship from South Louisiana Bank and the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce. Blanchard participates in quiz bowl, Beta club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Varsity Soccer Team, and the Crimson Pride Marching Band. He is involved in the community and church serving as session co-leader in his church’s summer vacation bible school. He also is in the church orchestra playing the alto saxophone. He had the highest percentile PSAT score, A 34 composite score on the ACT, and is maintaining an overall GPA of 4.35. He plans on attending LSU majoring in Aerospace Engineering with an overall goal of designing shuttles and rockets for space exploration.
Eugene J. Folse Outstanding Veteran Award
Eugene J. Folse Outstanding Veteran Award Recipient, Hermon Davis and Family. © Heidi Guidry
Congratulations to 92-year-old Herman Davis. He attended Houma Colored School and after completing the 11th grade, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Forces at the young age of 16. He was stationed in Arkansas for three months until he reached his 17 birthday. He traveled to Okinawa, Japan where he remained for 30 months and served as a TSC. He remembers his salary being only $50 a month. He returned home for three months when he enrolled in Milwaukee- Wisconson College to study electrical engineering. He completed the course, but he was unable to find a job in the field, so he later got a job in the Schlitz Brewing Company where his job was to watch the bottles pass by. In 1951, he became a shipping clerk in New York City, but the job was short-lived. in 1956-1958 he worked as a cook in a local school in Cinncinatti, and also in the local hospital. In 1959, Mr. Davis landed a job as an insurance agent with Nationwide where he stayed for 25 years. He has traveled to 48 states and Canada, times were rough, but he never gave up and never gave in.
2021 Small Business of the Year
2021 Chamber Small Business of the Year- Logan Babin Real Estate and Appraisals © Heidi Guidry
Congratulations to Logan Babin Real Estate and Appraisals! The firm is entering its 61st year in business and has greatly attributed to the economic growth of Houma-Terrebonne. This family business continues to thrive, thus, they were chosen for this award!
2021 Large Business of the Year
2021 Large Chamber Business of the Year, Big Mike’s BBQ © Heidi Guidry
Congratulations to the team at Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse for always providing not only great food for the community, but also providing jobs for the community and contributing to local economic growth. The restaurant has risen above many trials and tribulations to be where they are today and they continue to show passion not only for their business but also for the community.
The Courier’s Most Useful Citizen of the Year
The Courier’s Most Useful Citizens of the Year, Amos and Percy Mosely. © Heidi Guidry
This year’s recipients come in a pair. Congratulations to Amos and Percy Mosely! They have both moved mountains to volunteer, raise money for causes, and constantly show passion for the community. They have put the interest of the community at the forefront of their priorities and both are known throughout the community for lending a helping hand.
2021 Chamber Ambassador of the Year
2021 Chamber Ambassador of the Year, Karissa Benoit © Heidi Guidry
A Chamber Ambassador acts as a liaison between the organization and the public. They are the face, they are the volunteers, they are local people who actively engage with the Chamber and help move forward the parish. Beniot’s employer, Holiday Inn, was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida. It has been closed since the storm, currently gutted to the studs, and they are actively working on getting the hotel back in working order. Although Holiday Inn has seen detrimental damage, Beniot continued to work with the Chamber and volunteer her time. Congratulations to Karissa Benoit, Holiday Inn Houma, for constantly being a pillar!
