| | New Orleans Trip participants pose after their tour at Rural Life Museum. |
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| | Layne Langley, Pointe Coupee 4-H Agent, stands with Emily Allen, FRA 4-H’er after the New Orleans Trip Banquet. |
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| | GEAUX TIGERS!! Getting the behind the scenes tour of the LSU Athletic Facility and Death Valley was the perfect ending to a fantastic trip! |
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Last summer while Emily Allen, False River Academy 4-H’er, was preparing and working on her Family Life Record book for State competition, little did she think she’d be named the State Winner in the Family Life Record book and capture the New Orleans Educational Trip but she did. As State Winner, Emily was recognized with a medallion, certificate, and New Orleans Trip.
On Sunday, November 18, Emily met at Lod Cook Hotel 19 other 4-H’ers from throughout Louisiana who either won the trip through State Records or the Good Provider Contest. This trip was also won by three adult volunteers who won the Good Provider Leader Award in their region. After a welcome by Tanya Walker, State 4-H Staff, she introduced the 4-H Agents who would be chaperoning the trip. They were Emily’s 4-H Agent, Layne Langley, Mike Lavergne, Beauregard Parish, Beverly Madere, Jefferson Parish, and Donny Moon, Winn Parish.
The group loaded up in vans enroute to the Rural Life Museum. After a guided tour, the 4-H’ers were treated to a jambalaya supper by DEMCO. A highlight of the evening was watching the Imax Movie, Hurricane on the Bayou that was secured by Entergy. The 4-H’ers then introduced themselves, told of their contest and their 4-H project accomplishments. Layne Langley led a getting acquainted activity “Do You Know Your Neighbor” an activity that got the participants running around, laughing, while learning more about each other. The group then traveled to Don Carter’s Bowling Alley for a couple of hours of fun and socializing.
The second day of the trip started with a 5:30 a.m. wake up call and a 6:30 a.m. departure for New Orleans. The group was fortunate to have on the trip Jefferson 4-H Agent, Beverly Madere, to give a driving tour of the Ninth Ward. She took the group in front of Fats Domino’s home and to Musicians Village.
Next, came an exciting tour of the New Orleans Superdome. The group received an informative tour and learned about the Dome including the turf, Dome utilities, marketing and post Katrina renovations. They also got to watch New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, address the media during the Bayou Classic Press Conference. Lunch, sponsored by Entergy, was at café Reconcile, a restaurant that provides at-risk youth a safe and supporting place to receive the life, work, and educational skills necessary to turn their lives on a productive path. The ferry ride across the Mississippi River was a first for many on the trip. The participants had a terrific time at Mardi Gras World. They not only received a guided tour and got to see 2008 Zula floats but also got to put on Mardi Gras costumes and headdresses and eat King Cake! On the agenda next was a stop at the Mall of Louisiana for some shopping and supper. The day ended with the group listening and watching the LSU Concert and Marching Bands perform at Tigerama.
The last day of the trip began with a visit to Mike the Tiger. The group was then treated to a behind the scenes tour of the LSU Athletic Department. They also viewed a marketing video and even entered Death Valley for photographs.
The trip wrapped up with a recognition banquet attended by Dr. Paul Coreil, Vice Chancellor & Director Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Dwight Landreneau, Associate Director, Eric Eskew, Executive Director – Louisiana 4-H Foundation, Dr. Mark Tassin, 4-H Youth Development Department Head, and Dr. Janet Fox, Associate Professor. From the comments made, the participants had a fantastic time!