Author: Emily Gautreaux

New Iberian to Compete in Olympic Pole Vaulting

A New Iberia Native is set to compete in Olympic Pole Vaulting in the Tokyo 2020 Games, according to this feature from The Advocate. The event will be held in Tokyo, Japan from July 23 to August 8, 2021; the event was postponed in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At only 22 years old, New Iberia, Louisiana’s  Morgann Leleux will be competing in pole vaulting as a member of the United States Women’s Track and Field Olympic Team. Leleux competed in the women’s pole vault finals at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, June 26th; at the event she finished second to qualify for the Summer Olympic Games.

At the pole vaulting finals, Leleux finished second in pole vaulting with a personal-best clearance of 15 feet and 5 inches; the clearance rate was behind Katie Nageortte’s 16-2.75 rate and ahead of Sandi Morris’s 15-1 clearance.

Despite this, Leleux told reporters that she was much more anxious and nervous for the recently-held qualifying trials than these Eugene Olympic trials, saying “there was a lot more on the line. Everything was on the line to make the finals. Once I made the finals, in my mind I was focused on winning.”

Born in New Iberia, Louisiana, Morgann Leleixux was a multi-state champion at Catholic High School, and an All-American and SEC Champion at the University of Georgia, and a 2016 All-American graduate at the University of Louisiana, where she was also an alternate for the 2016 Olympic Games.

One week after she qualified for the Summer 2020 Games, Morgann Leleux returned to her hometown to participate in a July 2nd parade that honored the famous pole vaulter. Hosted by Mayor Freddie DeCourt, the parade began in front of New Iberia’s City Hall and celebrated throughout the city’s downtown on Friday, July 2nd with citizens cheering their support for Leleux along the city’s East Main Street.

Before the postponement of the 2020 Summer Games due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, she was also expected to make a run for the Tokyo Qualifying match, so now that she has her shot, Leleaux says that she doesn’t want to waste it.

Leleux said, “I’m a way-better vaulter than I was in 2016. Mentally, I’m tougher. I’m more confident in myself. I have the physical ability, I’m injury-free and I’ve also worked a lot on the mental side of it. It could have been any one of five of us today. I knew I had to fight, bar by bar, one at a time. To be honest with you, we’re all going to have to jump higher in the Games, but my attitude is that I’m going there to medal.”

It’s important to note that Morgann Leleux won’t be the only Acadiana-area athlete to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games; she is joined alongside Nicole Ahsinger and Aliaksei Shostak in trampoline gymnastics and  Armand “Mondo” Duplantis in pole vaulting as well.

While Leleux is the eighth-ever Ragin’ Cajuns athlete to qualify for the Olympic Summer Games, she is entering the competition alongside the world indoor record holder in pole vaulting: Duplantis. Seen as the favorite at this year’s games, Duplantis is an American-born, Swedish pole vaulter who attended Lafayette High School and will be competing against Leleux in pole vaulting at the Summer Games.

Everyone on Morgan Leleux’s support team from her various coaches, family members, and friends are excited to see her compete with world-class athletes internationally this summer, as they’ve always seen great things for the pole vaulting stand out.

Morgann’s father and youth coach, Shane Leleux, said of his daughter, “her maturity level is off the charts right now. I hate to use a baseball analogy, but I will. When she was on her third try at 4.6 (meters), it was like having three balls and two strikes with two out in the ninth inning, and in my mind, she was the last batter, and all she did was hit it out of the park.”

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How to Have a Comfortable Road Trip

This summer, thousands of Americans are choosing the open road in lieu of the open sky when it comes to traveling, and thanks to this set of tips from Southern Living, hours spent in a car seat have never been more pleasant. A comfortable road trip is attainable for anyone.

If you’re a traveler looking to have an adventure while in transit this summer then you’re going to be smart about how you travel. Many travelers hitting the road this summer are doing so because they have some leniency in their arrival time or they simply want to put the money they would otherwise spend on airline tickets to better use. That being said, if you’re taking part in a road trip this summer you’ll want to follow the advice below to ensure that your multiple hours spent in your vehicle are as comfortable as possible.

Prepare a Backseat Pantry

When a storm is set to come into town, people flock to the grocery store for provisions, and while interstate travel isn’t the same as inclement weather, it’s always a good idea to stock up on snacks, protein, and water before setting out on the road. While many drivers and passengers may resist the urge to drink water so that they can reduce the number of pit stops on their journey, you should definitely plan to stay hydrated throughout your journey. This will help you avoid any obstructive headaches that may come at the least opportune moment due to dehydration. This is not to mention that you can avoid temptation by packing an ice chest of fresh fruit or sandwiches ahead of time so that you and your traveling party cut back on the unhealthy junk and fast food found on the road ahead.

Be Reasonable with your Time

Traveling on the various highways across the United States is a lesson in patience, spontaneity, and embracing the unexpected. Therefore, if you’re driving to your destination then you should be somewhat flexible in your arrival and traveling time so that you can partake in the memorable detours and extra pit stop opportunities that you’ll come into contact with while you’re passing mile markers. That’s not to mention that inclement weather, traffic jams, and other inconveniences can often arise to delay your eventual arrival time, so it’s important to keep that in mind when you’re preparing for the journey. Whether you’re driving or referring to the atlas from the passenger seat, it’s important to get plenty of rest the night before your leave and to leave at a reasonable time. If you’re on a multi-day trip, it may be tempting to drive more than you originally planned on your first day, but you should resist this urge as it’s never a good idea to risk driving exhausted later on. And it’s never a good idea to sacrifice road safety for a smaller travel time.

Prepare with Travel Accessories

While you shouldn’t go overboard when purchasing road trip “supplies,” if you’re going to be spending multiple days in the same vehicle you’re going to want to have all of your needs met and within arms reach. Go ahead and take stock of the vehicle you’ll be riding in before the trip and see if you’ll need additional cup holders, a charging adapter for electronic devices, a sun visor, or other accessories that you won’t realize you need until it’s too late. It’s also a good idea to spend a little more on a lower back lumbar pillow to provide you and your party with back support. It may seem like a frivolous expense at first thought, you’ll be thankful you bought that neck pillow when it’s your term to sleep in the passenger seat after a particularly long driving shift.

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Louisiana Legislation Seeks to Invest $180M for Rural Access to Broadband Internet

Over the next three years, the state of Louisiana will award $180 million in grants to various telecommunication firms so that broadband internet infrastructure can be constructed in the state’s more underserved communities, as per an article fromThe Advocate.

The average American’s reliance on broadband services became very apparent during the state’s stay-at-home orders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many families were becoming more and more aware of the need for fast, reliable internet speeds so that families could stream movies, parents could work remotely, and students could learn from home.

The extended period of isolation left many examining their internet usage, but the time also shined a light on those rural Louisiana communities that have been “underserved” by internet service providers. Such was the case for the citizens of Ville Platte, Louisiana.  During the pandemic citizens of the Evangeline Parish community often flocked to the parking lots of City Hall or McDonald’s in order to use their hotspot internet services.

Louisiana’s more rural cities often see the disparity in reliable internet services since residents are more widely dispersed across the area and internet providers often feel disincentivized to spend the funds necessary to install fiber cables in these areas. According to a study conducted last year by HighSpeedInternet.com, the average internet speed for a resident of Ville Platte registers at just above 8 Mbps. That slow measurement places the city in the bottom five cities nationwide for internet connectivity.

However, Louisiana Rep. Daryl Deshotel plans to change that in the next three years with his proposed piece of legislation that is expected to be approved by Governor John Bel Edwards in the coming weeks. The proposed projectwill reportedly use funds from the American Rescue Plan to bring the infrastructure for high-speed internet to Louisiana’s more rural areas. It will be required that at least 20% of funds will be provided by the regional telecommunication firms who will also provide high-speed internet at affordable prices to residents for at least five years.  It is also expected that the trillion-dollar federal infrastructure plan currently passing through Washington will also serve to distribute additional grants in the future.

The grant program will require internet service providers to offer at least 25 Mbps, which is a speed set by the federal government as a minimum broadband benchmark. With this measurement of internet speed, a family of four would be able to browse the internet and stream movies simultaneously.

Veneeth Iyengar will fund the new grant program as the Executive Director for Governor Edwards’ Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, and he estimates that it would take a total $1.1 billion investment to bring high-speed internet to every household in Louisiana. The currently proposed $180 million will connect up to 145,000 households and according to Iyenthe, the grant program will “run at an accelerated pace” and distribute up to $90 million in grants by January 2022.

It’s expected that this ambitious, but necessary effort will be aided by an additional $372 million that was awarded to service providers last year by the federal government in an aim to extend broadband coverage to 175,000 households and businesses over the next decade.

The consulting firm McKinsey & Co. estimated recently that 1.6 Louisiana citizens covering 643,000 households are without access to high-speed internet, and nearly half of the state’s total households lack access to internet service that is affordable. As of June 2021, nearly 88,000 residents still benefited from the emergency assistance funds offered by the FCC to cover internet costs during the pandemic.

While it can’t be overstated how vital the need for speedy, dependable internet service is these days, it’s a comfort to know that meaningful strides are being taken to lessen the gaps in broadband service.

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Delicious Spicy Salmon Burgers

When the summer sun is brightly making itself known, it can become cliche to consistently cook up beef hamburgers, so why not fry up these deliciously spicy salmon burgers with this handy recipe from the Pinch of Yum food blog.

This recipe produces four spicy salmon burgers that are a perfect summertime treat due to their sweet and savory flavor covered by a golden brown, crispy exterior. It’s suggested that you serve these delicious patties atop a fluffy brioche bun with some fresh coleslaw or spicy mayonnaise. On the other hand, if you’re avoiding bread then these salmon patties divide nicely so that they can be included in most salads.

When it comes to flavor, these spicy salmon burgers will tap into that ultra-rich umami flavor, and the combination of red curry paste, lemongrass, brown sugar, and soy sauce will give you a little kick that pairs nicely with the fish flavor notes. As for the eating of these delicious burgers, you won’t feel weighed down after devouring one (or two) of these, and that’s due to the lightness of the salmon base. Because of this, a tray of these salmon patties makes for the ideal poolside meal or beach day snack. Once you construct your salmon burgers, pack it up with Saran-wrap or inside a food-safe container, as these travel quite well.

When preparing this recipe, you’ll want to get your hands on the recommended ingredients, particularly the panko bread crumbs for the breaded texture of the salmon patties. You’ll also be better off if you can get your hands on any fresh salmon or leftover grilled, baked, steamed, or poached salmon. Though canned salmon can be used as a substitute, it’s not recommended.

Ingredients:

Approximately 1 pound of salmon

2 eggs

⅔ cup of panko breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon of lemongrass paste

1 tablespoon of red curry paste

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

½ tablespoon of brown sugar

1 teaspoon of kosher salt

½ teaspoon of garlic powder

Approximately 4 tablespoons of olive oil for frying

Brioche buns

Suggested Toppings:

Fresh cilantro

Sliced cucumber

Bagged Salad

Shredded cabbage (tossed with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and sugar)

Directions for Salmon Burgers:

  1. Begin by putting your salmon into a mixing bowl. If you’re using canned salmon, drain the water from the fish. After it’s in the bowl, use a fork or slotted spoon to toss the salmon, breaking it apart.
  2. Toss your eggs and panko breadcrumbs into your salmon alongside the other ingredients. After it’s all thoroughly mixed, form the contents of the mixing bowl into at least four patties. If your burger patties aren’t structurally sound and are crumbling apart, then you should feel free to fluctuate the number of eggs or amount of panko accordingly.
  3. Place a frying pan onto your stovetop, and heat your olive oil on medium heat. Once it’s thoroughly warm, do ahead and add your burger patties, cooking them for about 4-5 minutes on each side. You’ll want the exterior of the patties to be golden brown. When removing them from the pan, place them on a cooling rack.
  4. Feel free to lightly toast your brioche buns, and then serve the salmon burgers atop your buns with your choice of toppings. Some suggestions include sour cream, spicy mayonnaise, or even yogurt; almost anything pairs perfectly with these.

This recipe produces about four patties, so multiply the ingredients as needed for your desired number of patties. Once cooked, these will keep fresh in the refrigerator for about three days or up to three months in the freezer.

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The Sales Program at Nicholls Receives Critical Acclaim

Once again the professional sales program at Nicholls State University has been named one of the best in the nation by a national sales publication, according to a press release from the school.

The critical acclaim comes from the Sales Education Foundation, a non-profit that has been offering support, information, and guidance to universities and prospective students alike since 2007. The 2021 edition of Sales Education Foundation Annual Magazine praised the professional sales education programs of several universities, and Nicholls was one of the five Louisiana institutions to top the list. The other schools were Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana State University, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and  Xavier University of Louisiana.

The publication praised Nicholls’ College of Business Administration for its specialization, sales lab, and job replacement rate of 80%. Specifically, SEF’s publication said of the school, “this program utilizes a professional, corporate-style training facility including five role-play rooms that enhance the sales and behavioral skills of students in the program. Nicholls also has a cross-disciplinary degree program with Finance to prepare students for a career in Financial Services Marketing.”

While students who are enrolled in the College of Business Administration can earn degrees in  Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Management, and Marketing, it’s the two latter programs that often attract students across the school’s various departments.

Laura Valenti, the assistant professor of marketing and a faculty sales advisor, told Nicholls press that the Marketing program often attracts students of various disciplines. The acclaimed program is known to attract more than marketing students with students earning degrees in human resources, mass communications, and music who have benefitted from the faculty, curriculum, and resources from the department over the years.

The College of Business Administration holds an accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world’s largest business education alliance and the gold standard in quality accreditations for all Colleges of Business. In fact, less than 5% of Colleges across the world hold this accreditation, and the College of Business Administration at Nicholls State University has held this respected distinction for over 30 years.

Valenti said of her department, “this program is unique because it embraces the diversity of the Nicholls student. Personal selling is a universal skill set and all are welcome to learn in the sales class. The outcome is a student who in three months can approach the real world with the ability to sell themselves as well as a product or service.”

Also praised by the SEF was the school’s Annual Bayou Sales Challenge, a regional, intercollegiate sales competition hosted by the College of Business each spring. The annual sales challenge is famous in the state for offering an opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a sales career to showcase their professional selling skills through role-play. The 2021 competition saw competitors from Florida State University, Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The Bayou Sales Challenge began in 2003 after Nicholls’ state-of-the-art and interactive sales lab was built thanks to a generous donation from Northwestern Mutual. This past February marked the 17th year of competition as participating universities sent their top sales students to showcase their sales talent and knowledge in front of company representatives who served as judges of the competition.

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Instant Pot Pork Chop Recipe

A savory pork chop dinner is a reliable staple of any American dinner table, and thanks to this recipe from Food52  that prepares a mean pork chop meal with a sauce of mushrooms and Parmesan, it’s never been easier to cook an outstanding, traditional suppertime classic in an instant pot.

This recipe utilizes the invention that has truly revolutionized the kitchen industry and cooking landscape alike: the Instant Pot pressure cooker. As this appliance is able to sear, brown, sauté, and sear foods in practically no time at all thanks to its pressurized cooking system, you can cut half the guesswork out of cooking and focus on your ingredients, preparation, and playing instead.

Ingredients

2 lbs of two bone-in pork chops (approximately 1 ½ inch thick)

1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt (divided)

¾ teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper (divided)

½ cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil (divided)

8 ounces of cremini or baby Bella mushrooms (sliced)

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

½ cup of dry white wine

½ cup of low-sodium chicken stock

1 teaspoon of cornstarch

¼ cup of heavy cream

2 cups of baby spinach

¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes

Recipe:

  1. Begin preparing your pork chops by rubbing 1 tsp. kosher salt and ½ tsp black pepper onto the edges and both sides of each pork chop. Then, dredge (or thoroughly dip) each pork chop into your flour, ensuring that both sides are evenly coated. Afterward you may discard any unused flour.
  2. Turn on your Instant Pot’s Sauté setting, then set it to that and heat 1 tbsp of your vegetable oil in it. Once the oil is shimmering, be sure to add one pork chop at a time and cook it until it is golden brown on both sides. This should take approximately 3 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer the seared pork chops to a plate, setting it aside.
  3. Add your remaining two tablespoons of olive oil to the Instant Pot, heating it before you add your mushrooms. You’ll want to cook the mushrooms until they are softened, which will take about 4 minutes. When this is achieved, add your garlic and cook the minced cloves until they are quite fragrant (about 30 seconds). Season the pot with your remaining ½ tsp kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Add your white wine in order to deglaze the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits found at the bottom of the pot. Stir in your chicken stock, thus combining all of your ingredients.
  4. If you’re using a newer model of Instant Pot such as an 8-quart capacity model, be sure to remove the inner pot at this stage and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes prior to the pressure cooking step. This will help you to avoid potential burns during the cooking process.
  5. At this point you may return both pork chops and any accumulated juices to the Instant Pot. When placing your pork chops inside, position your two bones into the sauce in opposite directions so that they may each fit evenly inside.Lock your lid and set the pot to Manual (high pressure) for five minutes. After this time, open the valve completely to quickly release all remaining pressure.
  6. Remove your pork chops and place them on a serving platter. Create a slurry by combining your cornstarch and cream before adding it to the pot. Thicken the sauce by gently warming the Instant Pot’s contents as they cook on the Sauté setting. As your sauce warms, stir in your baby spinach, Parmesan, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Allow your spinach to wilt slightly and then spoon your sauce over your pork chops.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

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