James Dardeau’s 29-year extension career began in 1964. He served the LSU AgCenter as 4-H agent in Cameron, Natchitoches and Vermilion parishes, was county agent and parish chairman in Vermilion Parish and district agent in the Southwest District. His first involvement in 4-H was as an active club member in Evangeline Parish, attending camps, demonstration contests, achievement days and livestock shows. As a 4-H agent, he organized a club for special needs children, implemented a beef grazing program and started award trips for junior leaders. As parish chairman, he spearheaded a successful campaign to pass a sales tax to fund a new extension office and barn. In 1983, he helped establish the Vermilion 4-H Foundation to provide financial support to members. In his tenure as an administrator, he was a strong advocate of the advisory committee process and encouraged total staff involvement in major 4-H events and activities. While serving as district agent, he planned and executed a two-day retreat for 4-H agents and their spouses to discuss benefits, insurance and personnel matters. Mr. Dardeau is active in school, civic and church organizations and served as school board member for Mount Carmel and Vermilion Catholic High School. He was recipient of many distinguished service awards. In 1989, the Vermilion Parish 4-H Achievement Day was dedicated to Mr. Dardeau, a recognition program he helped establish in the parish.

Charles Dill Sr. was a volunteer leader for more than 30 years in Vermilion Parish. He was a charter member of the Vermilion Parish 4-H Foundation and helped the foundation reach its $100,000 goal. He also served on the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board. Because Dill understood the importance of developing public speaking skills in youth, he established the Vermilion 4-H Cooperative Speech Contest. He securred donors to sponsor a steak banquet for contestants and their families for 15 years. This program was so successful that Dill was invited to serve as a judge for the state speech contest during Short Course. As chairman of the Extension Building Committee, which began in 1977, Dill promoted the Vermilion Extension Service and generated community support for a parishwide tax to build the Vermilion Extension office and Junior Livestock Show facility. Through his leadership, vision and genuine interest in youth, Charles E. Dill Sr. truly helped establish the Vermilion 4-H program.

Virgie Foreman has been an outstanding volunteer for more than 50 years. She was a charter member of the Vermilion 4-H Foundation and served as its adviser. Her contributions helped establish scholarships for students majoring in agriculture or home economics.

Nancy W. Marceaux of Vermilion Parish has served as an organizational leader at Kaplan High School for 30 years. For years, Marceaux and her active club hosted two major annual 4-H events, Demonstration Day and Achievement Day. Under her guidance, many Vermilion Parish delegates to Short Course/4-H University were her club members. She often held parishwide workshops to assist not only her 4-H'ers but also those from other clubs. She was named State 4-H Alumni winner in 1999. She has been an active member in the parish 4-H Advisory Committee, serving as chairman for five years. All four of her children were active in 4-H and are now serving as adult volunteers.

Otis J. Stelly Sr., affectionately known as “Big O” to many youth and adults in Vermilion Parish, served as a volunteer, leader, buyer and 4-H Foundation Board member for 25 years during 1974-1999. He played a major role in establishing the first Vermillion Parish 4-H Livestock Show in 1973. He also expanded the 4-H swine project by beginning a swine-breeding program to supply locally bred pigs to club members. “Mr. O” conducted 4-H clinics and workshops at his farm and always gave away one pig as a door prize to a participant. In 1996, he was named Master Pork Producer by the Louisiana Pork Producers. Mr. Stelly was a leader for the annual 4-H Trail Ride and served as trail boss one year. He also donated his time and resources to provide horse rides for special needs children and served as a youth league baseball coach for more than 30 years. In memory of Mr. Otis J. Stelly Sr., a memorial trophy is awarded on a rotating basis to the exhibitor who wins for having the Grand Champion Swine at the parish 4-H livestock show.