Three Kaplan City Council members honored citizens who they feel should be recognized for their accomplishments.

Councilman Kevin Guidry’s “Citizen of the Month is Patrice Mire.”

She has been married to Timothy Mire for 22 years and is the daughter of James and Dorothy Quebodeaux.

She has been teaching for 23 years which include teaching at Rene Rost (3 years); moved to Kaplan High School in 1989; in 2002 became an assistant principal at Erath High School but missed teaching and missed Kaplan, so she moved back to Kaplan High School the following year and has remained there ever since.

She currently teaches chemistry, physics, and Biology II.

Recent honors include: Kaplan High School Teacher of the Year and Vermilion Parish High School Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009; President of the women’s community organizations Chez Elles and the Epsilon Chi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi; Parliamentarian of the Vermilion Parish Women’s Education organization Delta Kappa Gamma; and serves as the education representative on the Impact 47 committee spearheaded by Representative Jonathan Perry.

Councilwoman Eva Dell Morrison selected Dolores Broussard Meaux and Emily Trahan Simon and her two “Citizens of the Month”.

Emily is married to Clint Simon. Together, they have a daughter, Kate.

She attended Meaux Elementary and graduated from North Vermilion High School, and later, UL of Lafayette with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Intervention in Special Education.

Her first year of teaching was at Dozier for third grade. She then applied for a non-cat position of 4-5 years in Special Education at Kaplan Elementary and has been there for the last four years.

Emily is currently pursuing her Master in Curriculum and Instruction at UL and is also pursuing her National Board Certification.

She was chosen by her co-workers as Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009 at Kaplan Elementary. Simon also spends hours of her time writing grants her children.

Morrison’s second “Citizen of the Month” was former Councilwoman Dolores Broussard Duhon.

Ms. Dolores is married to Linus Duhon. She has four children, Ida, Tammy, Speedy and Tina.

She attended the Kaplan colored school which is located across from Cabrini Catholic Church until her eighth grade.

Ms. Dee remembers when her mother purchased an old piano. While her sister took piano lessons, her parents could not afford to her to also attend. She began playing on her own and learned how to play by ear.

At eight years old, she began playing the organ in church. Today, you can find her at Cabrini Church on Sunday morning still rocking, jamming and praising the Lord through her songs. She also plays for funerals and weddings.

Ms. Dee graduated from Herod High School and attended SLI (now UL of Lafayette), majoring in music education. After 2 1/2 years, she quit school to care for her elderly parents till their death.

She then attended the vocational-technical school in Abbeville and completed her studies in nursing.

She was employed by Dr. LaHasky for 15 years. Her last employment was with Home Health Care Agency where she was still employed till a major car accident hospitalized her in 2000.

She suffered through many surgeries because of the accident and was told she would also have to have both her legs amputated.

Thankfully, she refused and today you can see her walking with her cane or riding her scooter around town.

Ms. Dee was the first woman to be elected to the City Council. After serving two terms, she decided against running again preferring to stay at home and raise her two great-grandchildren.

Councilman Kirk Champagne selected Brooke Hebert, Natalie Camel and Todd and Nancy Leger, as his “Citizens of the Month”.

Miss Brooke Hebert was named as Maltrait Educator of the Year.

She has been a teacher with Maltrait for 12 years. She has taught Pre-K, PE and is presently Maltrait’s Kindergarten teacher. She has also volunteered as a coach for the boys basketball team.

She is a wonderful example to the faculty, students, staff and parents.

Natalie Camel was named Maltrait Student of the Year. She is an 8th grade student at Maltrait. Her parents are Jacques and Dawn Camel.

Natalie is an exceptional student. She is active in basketball, 4-H, student council and Junior Beta.

She has received numerous awards on local and state level. She is currently enrolled in an online Algebra I course and will receive high school credit. She has been awarded an interview at the Diocesan level for Student of the Year for the State of Louisiana.

Todd and Nancy Leger were named Maltrait Supporters of the Year.

They are remarkable Maltrait parents. They have one son, Jacob, a 3rd grade student at Maltrait. Whenever the school is in need of service, the Leger’s are always there to lend a helping hand. Both assist the school with repairs and maintenance, as well as volunteering their time to many school events and activities.