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Benny Cenac Jr, Houma Businessman, Funds E.D. White Fast Track

Edward Douglass White Catholic High School recently began construction on its new Academic Enhancement Center thanks to Benny Cenac Jr, Houma Businessman and Philanthropist. The production on this new facility, which began in June, is currently set for completion by December 2017. Allowing students and teachers to be able to move in when they return to school in January, 2018.

Although the current program, which serves grades 8 through 12 in a 1500 square foot setting has a successful history of college preparatory curriculum as well as a popular general curriculum, the new 3,000 square foot facility will catapult them to the next level.  The new facility’s plans include lighting, interactive areas and non-structured learning to help those students in the program find a learning approach that best fits each of them. It will have a multi-classroom conference area, testing areas and offices. The school said the new enhancement center will be able to accommodate 170 students, and Robichaux said the school plans to expand enrollment in the program once the facility is completed.

“Mr. Benny Cenac Jr’s donation will provide a solid foundation in order for the program to meet its goal to open this updated and newly renovated facility,” stated President, Tim Robichaux. With this new facility the school will develop non-traditional, mobile classroom components to help meet the needs of E.D. White students with academic differences. The objective is to better assist students with learning differences such as ADHD, Dyslexia, other reading disorders, math disorders and any other learning differences that may hinder a student.  The overall goal is to give students the skills necessary to succeed in their academic studies. As an avid supporter of education at all levels Mr. Benny Cenac Jr knew this donation would be beneficial to the community and the students.

Cenac initially jumped at the chance to assist with the program in August of 2016.  The original donation was to be a total of 150,000.00 given over three yearly installments.  When E.D. White contacted him in the hopes of fast tracking the project, there was no hesitation to also fast track the donation.  “Education is important for everyone, and students who have learning disabilities should have the opportunity to also receive the skills needed for a brighter future no matter their circumstances.  If we can assist in that, then I’m all for it,” said Cenac.

Donations go a long way to help students and the learning process at ED White.  Their website states, “We think it is important to partner with our parents, alumni and friends to provide the best education possible for our students.  Donations are made in the form of cash and matching gifts to be used to purchase needed educational equipment and supplies. These gifts assure that EDW stays on the cutting edge of education today.  This year’s annual fund dollars can be directed by donors to debt reduction, technology, refurnishing the band room, and enhancing athletic dressing facilities.”

There are several different funds you or your business can donate to.  They are detailed below.

Annual Fund

The E. D. White Catholic Advisory Council in partnership with the school administration has recommended that the Annual Fund Drive focus on the Guidance Department relocation.  By donating funds to be used for this purpose, you will help build a bright future for E. D. White Catholic.

Donate to Annual Fund

Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana

In the fall of 2010,Bishop Sam Jacobs wanted to create an avenue that would allow donors of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux to give to the many different Catholic entities of the diocese in the best manner possible.  Furthermore, this avenue needed to be an organization that is separate of that diocese.  After over a year in planning and meeting with a group of lay leaders from across the diocese, the decision to form the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) was agreed upon.  The CFSL was officially recognized as an independent 501 (c) 3 organization with the IRS in March 2012 and in September of the same year the CFSL staff and board began to communicate to parishioners the importance of planned gifts and establishing endowments for their parishes, schools and diocesan entities.

By working closely with parishes, schools, and individual donors like Mr. Benny Cenac Jr, the CFSL makes giving simple and meaningful.  The Foundation can administer a donor’s philanthropic giving, both now and after their death.  We provide a flexible array of services that help donors shape a meaningful charitable legacy.

Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana

Athletics

The athletic department is in the process of upgrading dressing facilities for student athletes.  Locker rooms have been created for boys / girls basketball and the football locker room has been completely refurbished.  An office for female coaches has been created on the 2ndfloor of the main gymnasium.  Annual fund donations have paid for a large portion of this project, but additional funds are needed to cover the $250,000 price tag.

Donate to Athletics

Music Program

A ceremony was held in November 2013 for the dedication of the E. D. White music hall to St. Theresa of Lisieaux. The ceremony was filled with stories of tradition and love for St. Theresa and the EDW music program.  Annual fund donations to the music program have been designated to assist in the completion of renovations to the St. Theresa Music Hall. New flooring, a new ceiling, new lighting, and upgrades to the a/c system are currently underway.

Donate to Music

Technology

Technology is shown to be an essential component of a 21st century education because it helps develop fundamental learning skills by giving students access to large amounts of information which they can transform into useful knowledge. Through donations to the annual fund, E. D. White Catholic implemented a one-to-one iPad program for teachers and students for the 2012-2013 school year. It has been a resounding success and the school thanks all who helped with this project. Additional funding is needed to continue training related to this new technology. In coming years, the iPad will allow for adoption of interactive textbooks as well as media-rich supplemental material.

Donate to Technology

Tuition Assistance

E.D. White Catholic High School is dedicated to keeping tuition affordable for students from all economic backgrounds through need-based tuition assistance. The school does not offer any type of scholarship based on proficiency in academics or any co-curricular area. Annual fund donations to tuition assistance allow the school to assist a greater number of families in need.

Donate to Tuition Assistance

For more information on E.D. White’s Academic Enhancement Program and why Benny Cenac Jr supports it, please visit here.

Rare Sighting of “Pinky” the Dolphin

 

Several sources have confirmed the sighting of the rare pink dolphin that was first discovered in 2007. After several glimpses over the last 10 years, she has reappeared in the Calcasieu Ship Channel joined with a group of dolphins including another pink porpoise.

According to Popsugar.com, “In 2015, it was reported that Pinky may have been pregnant, so her reported swimming companion might have been her own pink calf.”

Greg Barsh, a scientist who studies the genetics of color variation at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Alabama, says that Pinky is likely an albino. He believes this because of Pinky’s reddish eyes and blood vessels, which show through its pale skin that’s lack of pigment.

As stated by nationalgeographic.com, “Albinism occurs when cells that normally make the pigment melanin, responsible for skin, hair, and eye color, fail to produce it at normal levels, or at all.”

For video footage of the sighting and more photos of Pinky the dolphin, click here.

2017 Total Solar Eclipse

 

We are officially less than one week away from the 2017 Solar Eclipse. For the first time in 38 years, the 70 mile wide total solar eclipse, will stretch across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. Throughout the day, the Solar Eclipse will pass through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The states that are listed will be in the path of a total solar eclipse while all others will be able to see only a partial solar eclipse.

It is also important to remember to take safety measures when viewing this unforgettable experience. According to Space.com, “During totality, when the sun’s disk is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to view the eclipse with the naked eye. But sky watchers should NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness.” To see their complete guide of how to view the eclipse safely, click here.

 

Do you want to know if you are in the path of the Total Solar Eclipse? Find out here.

Red Swamp Crayfish Invade Bodies of Water in Michigan

 

What seems normal and natural to us in Louisiana has now posed a threat in two bodies of water in Michigan earlier this August. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the existence of invasive red swamp crayfish, also known as Louisiana crayfish/crawfish. These crayfish are a risk to the environment in Michigan for many reasons which is why they will begin removal efforts immediately. To remove the species, “the department uses baited crayfish traps, dip nets and electrofishing to capture and remove the crayfish. Electrofishing puts a current in the water which stuns the creatures without killing them and allows them to be caught.”

You can read the full story on the invading red swamp crayfish here.

Massive Alligator Lounging In Front Of a Local Breaux Bridge Home

 

Welcome to South Louisiana! “In most parts of the country, the worst critters residents have to fear in their neighborhoods are maybe stray dogs or cornered raccoons. In South Louisiana, we have animals that EAT stray dogs and cornered raccoons.”

It’s not every day when an alligator shows up at your front door to lounge for the afternoon. This Breaux Bridge home was lucky to have the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at their beck and call to help trap this monster alligator! For more on the story and footage of the capture, click here.