The Louisiana Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences presented its highest award along with others at its annual conference in Lafayette May 6. New officers also were chosen. LSU AgCenter faculty in parishes across the state comprise the organization.

Winners and their parishes of the top award, Distinguished Service, went to Monica Olinde, Point Coupee, and Ginger Boutwell, Franklin. This award recognizes members for their leadership, educational program efforts and professional development. Selection is voted on by the membership.

The association honored its members in 18 additional categories.

Extension Housing Outreach award: first place team, Debbie Hurlbert, state office; Dr. Jeanette Tucker, state office; Deborah Cross, Iberville; Sheri Fair, Ascension; Cindy Richard, Calcasieu; Cynthia Stevens, Ouachita; Margaret Burlew, Terrebonne; Valerie Vincent, Washington; and Deniese Zeringue, St. Charles.

This award is presented for outstanding housing educational programs conducted for families and/or communities.

Betty Jane Fairchild award: Mandy Armentor, Vermilion. The purpose of this award is to honor Betty Jane Hodgkins Fairchild, the first female to hold the title of assistant director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

Maxine Reeves award: Adrianne Vidrine, Acadia. The purpose of this award is to honor Maxine Reeves, a past state and national president who was working in LaSalle Parish at the time of her retirement in 1980. This award recognizes professional development in the organization.

Dean Don Felker Financial Management award: Diane Uzzle, Bienville. This award is given to a Family and Consumer Science educator who has developed an outstanding program on some aspect of family financial management.

Continued Excellence awards: Terri Crawford, Northeast Region and Dr. Jeanette Tucker, state office. The two were recognized for active involvement in professional improvement programs, promotion of professional development and leadership.

New Professional: Shatonia Chatman, Calcasieu.

Extension Educator of the Year: Debbie Melvin, Lafourche.

Food Safety award: first place team – Debbie Melvin, Lafourche; Mike Hebert, Lafourche; and Boo Persica, state office.

Florence Hall award: first-place team, Debbie Melvin, Lafourche; Connie Aclin, Caddo; Cathy Agan, Ouachita; Joan Almond, Webster; Mandy Armentor, Vermilion; Shatonia Chatman, Calcasieu; Quincy Cheek, Rapides; Vicky Chesser, Caddo; Terri Crawford, Northeast Region; Dr. Pam Hodson, Southeast Region; Denise Holston, state office; Cathy Judd, Lincoln; Amy Juneau, St. Mary; Robin Landry, Assumption; Katherine Mauthe, Tangipahoa; Sandra May, state office; Bertina McGhee, Orleans; Pam Myers, West Feliciana; Natasha Pittman, Livingston; Dr. Beth Reames, state office; Cathryn Robinson, Caddo; Dr. Heli Roy, state office; Dr. Sally Lindquist, East Baton Rouge; Adrianne Vidrine, Acadia; Iris Webb, St. Tammany; Michael Zanovec, state office; Dr. Annrose Guarino, state office; Penny Thibodeaux, Jefferson Davis; Jan Coussan, Lafayette; Larmara Hollier, Lafayette; and Carol Sensley, Calcasieu.

Florence Hall award: second-place team – Cathy Agan, Ouachita and Dianne Glasgow, Caddo.

The Florence Hall award is given to an individual or team for an outstanding program conducted by members who have been alert in recognizing new concerns and interests of families and have involved people in planning and implementing the programs. The first-place team winner this year was for the 2008 Live Fit Chancellor’s Wellness Initiative that team members helped coordinate and implement throughout the state.

Written Press Release awards: first place, Melvin; second, Jane Jones, Rapides-Grant; third, Monica Olinde, Point Coupee; fourth, Deniese Zeringue, St. Charles.

Communications Educational Technology award: Cathy Agan, Ouachita.

Community Partnership award: first, Diane Uzzle, Bienville; second, Adrianne Vidrine, Acadia and Nikki LeMaire, Lafayette; third, Robinson.

Communications-Newsletter award: Terri Crawford, Northeast Region and Cathy Agan, Ouachita.

Communications Radio/Podcast award: Amy Juneau, St. Mary.

Marketing Package award: Sheri Fair, Ascension, and Deborah Cross, Iberville.

Educational Curriculum Package award: Quincy Cheek, Rapides and Lou Altazan Brown, Rapides.

Educational Publications award: first, Dianne Glasgow, Caddo; second, Natasha Pittman, Livingston and Robin Landry, Assumption; third, Deniese Zeringue, St. Charles.

Communications-Television award: first, Mandy Armentor, Vermilion; second, Quincy Cheek, Rapides; third, Deniese Zeringue, St. Charles.

Newly elected officers fill a number of posts. Danna Gillett, Richland, will serve as president. Four vice presidents will serve in different capacities: Adrianne Vidrine, Acadia, professional development; Cathryn Robinson, Caddo, awards and recognition; Dr. Sally Lindquist, East Baton Rouge, member resources; and Mandy Armentor, Vermilion, public affairs.

Jane Jones, Rapides-Grant, is secretary; Sheri Fair, Ascension, is treasurer; Ginger Boutwell, Franklin, is parliamentarian; and past president Cindy Richard, Calcasieu, is historian.

New directors and their alternates include Connie Aclin, Caddo, as Northern Region director and Diane Uzzle, Bienville, as alternate; Quincy Cheek, Rapides, as Southwest Region director and Monica Olinde, Point Coupee, as alternate; and Bertina McGhee, Orleans, as Southeast Region director and Robin Landry, Assumption, as alternate.

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Contact: Mandy Armentor: 337-898-4335, marmentor@agcenter.lsu.edu 
Writer: Mary Ann Van Osdell, 318-741-7430, ext. 1104, mvanosdell@agcenter.lsu.edu
Editor: Mark Claesgens, 225-578-2939, or mclaesgens@agcenter.lsu.edu