Author: Emily Gautreaux

Nicholls Expands Support for Instrumental Music Education Students

Nicholls State University is continuing its tradition of supporting future educators and musicians through a newly established endowed scholarship honoring two of South Louisiana’s most influential music teachers. According to this news release from the University, the family of John and Beverly Stafford recently created the John and Beverly Stafford Endowed Scholarship in Instrumental Music Education, a scholarship designed to assist senior-level Instrumental Music Education majors pursuing careers as band directors and music educators.

The endowment celebrates the lasting impact the Staffords have had on music education throughout the Bayou Region for more than six decades. Both John and Beverly Stafford are members of the Louisiana Music Educators AssociationHall of Fame as well as the District VII Band Directors’ Hall of Fame, honors that reflect generations of leadership, mentorship, and award-winning instruction in Louisiana schools. Their careers helped shape not only successful music programs, but also the lives of countless students who carried lessons from the band room into their personal and professional futures.

John Stafford became widely respected throughout Louisiana for his work as band director at West Thibodaux Junior High and Thibodaux High School. Under his leadership, student ensembles consistently earned Superior ratings and statewide recognition. His bands also gained national attention, including a first-place finish at the Deep South Marching Band contest held in the Louisiana Superdome. Over the course of his career, Stafford was named District VII Band Director of the Year in 1972, 1976, and 1989, distinctions that reflected both musical excellence and his commitment to student development.

Beyond directing successful school ensembles, John Stafford also contributed to higher education through his work supervising student teachers for Nicholls State University over a 14-year period. That role allowed him to mentor aspiring educators as they prepared to enter classrooms of their own, extending his influence far beyond the students he taught directly in Lafourche Parish schools. Former students and colleagues often credited him with building disciplined, high-achieving music programs while maintaining a strong focus on encouragement and personal mentorship.

Beverly Stafford also left a significant mark on music education across South Louisiana through her work at South Thibodaux Elementary. A pioneer in elementary music instruction, she spent 25 years developing students’ understanding of music theory and foundational performance skills at an early age. Her emphasis on strong fundamentals helped create a pipeline of prepared musicians who later contributed to successful junior high and high school band programs throughout the region.

Under Beverly Stafford’s direction, elementary bands consistently achieved Superior ratings at district festivals for 25 consecutive years, a remarkable accomplishment that demonstrated both consistency and instructional excellence. Her influence extended beyond the classroom as well. She served as a consultant for the Music Educators National Conference, now known as the National Association for Music Education, where she shared instructional strategies and expertise with fellow educators across the country.

To preserve the Staffords’ connection to the local community, the scholarship includes several criteria focused on supporting future music educators from Lafourche Parish. Recipients must be full-time senior students at Nicholls majoring in Instrumental Music Education while maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must also participate in an audition emphasizing sight reading and demonstrate involvement in ensembles such as band, wind ensemble, or music fraternities. Preference may be given to graduates of Thibodaux High School or E.D. White Catholic High School, reflecting the Staffords’ long history within the Thibodaux educational community.

Endowed scholarships such as this one play an important role in sustaining arts education programs by helping future teachers complete their degrees while preparing to lead music programs of their own. As schools across the country continue working to preserve arts opportunities for students, investments in music education scholarships help strengthen the pipeline of qualified educators who will continue building band, orchestra, and performance programs for future generations.

Community members and former students are invited to contribute to the scholarship endowment to help expand opportunities for future Instrumental Music Education majors at Nicholls State University. Through the scholarship, the Stafford family’s commitment to education, mentorship, and musical excellence will continue shaping South Louisiana classrooms and performance halls for years to come.

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How Acadian Village Keeps Louisiana’s Cajun Traditions Alive

Beneath towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss, LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a 19th-century Cajun community. The reconstructed village, tucked away along Greenleaf Drive, preserves a collection of historic homes, workshops, and gathering spaces that reflect the daily lives of early Acadian settlers in south Louisiana, as per this article from The Advocate. More than a museum, the village serves as both a cultural landmark and a community-centered nonprofit initiative dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

Originally established in the 1970s, Acadian Village was designed with multiple goals in mind: preserving Louisiana’s Acadian heritage, expanding tourism opportunities in Lafayette, and creating employment opportunities for clients served through LARC. Community leaders including Dr. Norman Heard, Bob Lowe, and Glen Conrad helped launch the ambitious project during a period when local officials were searching for new ways to celebrate and interpret Acadiana’s history.

Transforming the site into a historically inspired Cajun settlement required extensive planning and community collaboration. Designers converted approximately 10 acres of farmland into a shaded village landscape complete with winding pathways, a flowing bayou, and carefully positioned historic structures. Local carpenters, civic organizations, businesses, volunteers, and even Army Reservists contributed to the effort. The Army Reserve unit in Lafayette helped construct the village’s general store, while restoration crews painstakingly relocated and rebuilt historic homes from nearby parishes.

Today, seven of the village’s eleven structures are authentic 19th-century Acadian homes donated by families whose ancestors once lived in them. Each building reflects the ingenuity and craftsmanship of early Cajun builders. Visitors can observe hand-hewn cypress beams, mud-and-moss wall construction, wooden pegs, steep roofs, and traditional architectural techniques designed to withstand Louisiana’s climate. Every structure was disassembled piece by piece, transported to Lafayette, and restored with attention to historical detail.

Walking through the village offers a glimpse into the rhythms of rural Acadiana life. Along the shaded grounds, guests encounter restored homes filled with antique furnishings, a blacksmith shop, a chapel, and gathering spaces that reflect the agricultural communities once scattered throughout south Louisiana. Interpretive displays and guided storytelling help explain how Acadian settlers adapted to life in the bayou region after arriving in Louisiana during the 18th century.

The village’s emphasis on everyday life distinguishes it from many larger historical attractions. Rather than focusing exclusively on political events or prominent historical figures, Acadian Village highlights the resilience of ordinary families whose labor, faith, craftsmanship, and traditions helped shape Cajun culture. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, sites such as Acadian Village provide important insight into the local communities that contributed to the nation’s broader cultural story.

One of the village’s most popular annual traditions is its holiday light display, commonly known as Noël Acadien au Village. During the Christmas season, thousands of lights illuminate the grounds, transforming the historic setting into one of Lafayette’s best-known holiday attractions. The seasonal event draws visitors from across Louisiana who come to experience the combination of Cajun heritage and festive decoration beneath the village’s oak-lined pathways.

Visitors exploring the area often pair a stop at Acadian Village with nearby culinary destinations that reflect Lafayette’s strong French and Cajun influences. Poupart Bakery, a longtime Lafayette institution founded in 1967, remains a favorite stop for pastries, breads, and French-inspired desserts. The bakery’s enduring popularity reflects the same cultural blending and preservation that defines many attractions throughout Acadiana.

Decades after its founding, Acadian Village continues to stand as one of Lafayette’s most distinctive cultural attractions. Its preserved homes, shaded pathways, and carefully restored buildings offer visitors more than a history lesson. Together, they create an immersive environment that captures the spirit of early Cajun life while honoring the communities that helped shape Louisiana’s cultural identity.

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Statewide Education Reform Drives Louisiana’s Reading and Math Success

Louisiana continues to gain national recognition for academic improvement and education reform according to the latest Education Scorecard released by researchers from Harvard University, Stanford University, and Dartmouth College. According to this news release from LDOE, the 2026 report ranked Louisiana first among states in reading growth and second among states in math growth, making the state the only one in the country to surpass pre-pandemic achievement levels in both subject areas. The findings marked another major milestone in Louisiana’s ongoing education recovery efforts following the academic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

State education leaders described the rankings as evidence that long-term investments in literacy, mathematics instruction, tutoring, and evidence-based educational strategies are producing measurable academic gains for students across Louisiana. Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley praised students and teachers for driving the improvements while emphasizing that state leaders intend to continue pushing for stronger academic outcomes. Governor Jeff Landry also credited the state’s instructional reforms and focus on foundational academic skills for helping Louisiana emerge as a national leader in student growth.

The latest report built on strong results from the previous year’s scorecard, which measured recovery between 2019 and 2024. The newest rankings focused on growth from 2022 through 2025 and showed Louisiana maintaining its national momentum. Researchers reported that Louisiana ranked first among states in reading growth and second in math growth while remaining the only state to exceed 2019 achievement levels in both areas. Nationally, most states continue working to recover from pandemic-related learning disruptions, particularly in reading performance.

Researchers involved with the Education Scorecard noted that Louisiana’s recovery stood out because many states have struggled to return students to pre-pandemic achievement levels. Tom Kane, faculty director of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, explained that the pandemic intensified academic declines that had already been developing in many parts of the country. According to Kane, Louisiana demonstrated what can happen when state leaders consistently implement evidence-based interventions and provide districts with the support needed to carry out instructional improvement efforts effectively.

The report’s national findings further highlighted the significance of Louisiana’s results on education reform. While many states are only beginning to show signs of reading recovery, Louisiana students have already surpassed pre-pandemic performance levels in reading and emerged as one of only two states to exceed pre-pandemic levels in math. Researchers pointed to several strategies that appear to contribute to successful recovery efforts nationwide, including targeted academic support, evidence-based instructional practices, and the sharing of effective local school system strategies.

Several Louisiana school systems also received recognition for education reform as “Districts on the Rise,” a designation awarded to districts demonstrating unusually strong academic growth compared with similar systems in their states. Natchitoches Parish School Board earned recognition for improvement in both reading and math, while West Baton Rouge Schools, St. Martin Parish Schools, and Concordia Parish School Board were recognized for reading gains. Additional honors for math growth went to Lafourche Parish School District, St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools, and Webster Parish Schools.

The Education Scorecard itself represents a major national research collaboration between the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, Stanford University’s Educational Opportunity Project, and faculty researchers at Dartmouth College. The project combines state assessment results from approximately 35 million students in grades 3 through 8 with national assessment data to provide district-level insight into academic recovery trends across the United States.

Louisiana’s continued academic progress has increasingly positioned the state as a national example of large-scale education recovery efforts. While state leaders acknowledged that challenges such as chronic absenteeism and uneven district performance still remain, the latest scorecard results demonstrated that sustained investments in instructional quality, targeted intervention programs, and teacher support can contribute to measurable student achievement growth. As districts continue implementing literacy, mathematics, and attendance initiatives, Louisiana education leaders hope to build on the momentum reflected in the latest national rankings.

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Savory Stuffed Brisket With Lemon and Soy Marinade

Rich, savory, and packed with bold seasoning,this stuffed baked brisket from Louisiana Cookin  transforms a classic cut of beef brisket into a comforting centerpiece perfect for gatherings, holidays, tailgates, and family dinners. Tender brisket surrounds a flavorful stuffing made with seasoned ground meats, vegetables, olives, and spices, creating layers of texture and flavor in every slice. Slow roasting at a low temperature allows the brisket to become incredibly tender while soaking up the bold marinade of soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.

This recipe embraces the type of hearty Southern comfort food often associated with outdoor gatherings, camp cooking, and Louisiana-style entertaining. The combination of ground pork and beef stuffing gives the brisket a rich, sausage-like flavor, while fresh lemon juice and dried basil brighten the dish with depth and freshness. The result is a roast that slices beautifully and works equally well as a plated entrée or piled high onto sandwiches with fresh toppings and condiments.

One of the best features of this recipe is its versatility. Stuffed Baked Brisket works beautifully for holiday dinners, game-day gatherings, potlucks, or even make-ahead meals for busy weekends. The brisket tastes just as delicious served warm from the oven as it does chilled and sliced thin for sandwiches the next day.

Ingredients:

  • ● 1 boneless trimmed brisket (about 8 pounds)
  • ● ¾ pound lean ground pork
  • ● ¾ pound lean ground beef
  • ● 1 carrot, peeled and grated
  • ● 5 large pitted green olives, chopped
  • ● 1½ cups liquid margarine
  • ● 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • ● ½ cup water
  • ● 1 cup soy sauce
  • ● 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ● 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • ● 3 tablespoons dried basil leaves
  • ● 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
  • ● 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • ● 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. 1. Ask the butcher to butterfly the brisket, or use a sharp boning knife to create a pocket running from end to end without cutting all the way through.
  2. 2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, grated carrot, chopped olives, minced garlic, and a portion of the seasonings until evenly mixed.
  3. 3. In a separate bowl or container, combine liquid margarine, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, basil leaves, salt, and water. Stir until fully blended to create the marinade.
  4. 4. Stuff the brisket pocket generously with the meat mixture.
  5. 5. Place the stuffed brisket into a roasting pan and pour 2 cups of the marinade over the brisket. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, turning the brisket several times while marinating.
  6. 6. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Add an additional ½ cup water to the roasting pan and cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  7. 7. Roast for 3 to 4 hours, or until the brisket becomes very tender.
  8. 8. Remove the brisket from the oven and allow it to rest slightly before slicing and serving.

This meal pairs beautifully with hearty Southern side dishes. Creamy mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, roasted vegetables, or buttery green beans all complement the richness of the beef. Cornbread or dinner rolls also work wonderfully for soaking up the flavorful juices from the roasting pan.

For sandwiches, serve sliced brisket with assorted breads, Creole mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and pickles. The brisket’s savory stuffing makes it especially flavorful when layered onto toasted French bread or sandwich rolls. Lighter side dishes such as coleslaw, cucumber salad, or potato salad also balance the richness of the meat while adding freshness to the overall meal. Because the brisket itself carries bold seasoning, simpler side dishes often work best.

This Stuffed Baked Brisket combines slow-cooked tenderness with bold Southern-inspired flavor in a dish that feels hearty, comforting, and impressive all at once. The savory stuffing, flavorful marinade, and low-and-slow roasting method transform a traditional brisket into a centerpiece worthy of holidays, gatherings, and special family dinners.

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Scenic Rail Adventures Across the United States

Summer travel often revolves around crowded beaches, busy airports, and packed tourist attractions. Yet some of the most memorable vacations happen at a slower pace, where the journey itself becomes just as rewarding as the destination. Across the United States, scenic rail adventures and routes continue to attract travelers seeking dramatic landscapes, historic locomotives, and a more relaxed way to experience the country. From glacier-filled Alaskan wilderness and Pacific Ocean coastlines to mountain canyons and desert landscapes, these train journeys, collected by Travel + Leisure,  showcase some of America’s most breathtaking scenery while offering travelers a chance to disconnect from the rush of everyday travel.

One of the country’s most iconic summer rail routes is the Pacific Surfliner, operated by Amtrak. Running between San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo, the route hugs the California coastline for much of its nearly nine-hour journey. Travelers can enjoy uninterrupted ocean views, sandy beaches, and charming coastal communities along the way, including Santa Barbara. The route is especially popular during the summer months thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and convenient access to beach towns throughout Southern California.

The Coastal Classic, operated by the Alaska Railroad, delivers one of the most spectacular rail adventures in North America. The route connects Anchorage and Seward while passing along the dramatic coastline of Turnagain Arm and deep into the wilderness of the Kenai Peninsula. Throughout the 4.5-hour ride, passengers often spot glaciers, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and wildlife from oversized viewing windows. Upon arriving in Seward, travelers can spend time exploring the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, one of Alaska’s most stunning natural destinations.

Colorado is home to several legendary rail journeys, including the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This historic steam-powered train connects the mountain towns of Durango and Silverton while winding through rugged canyon landscapes and towering peaks. The traditional route lasts approximately 3.5 hours each way, allowing travelers time to explore Silverton’s preserved mining-town atmosphere before returning to Durango.

Another unforgettable mountain journey is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a narrow-gauge heritage railroad running between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s best-preserved steam railroads, the route crosses the New Mexico-Colorado border while traversing dramatic river canyons and a towering 137-foot railroad trestle.

The Amtrak Cascades rail adventures route showcases the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest on a journey stretching from Eugene, Oregon through Washington State to Vancouver, British Columbia. The route crosses the scenic Columbia River Gorge and provides views of volcanic peaks such as Mount Saint Helens. In addition to the scenery, the Cascades line has also gained attention as one of the first routes expected to feature Amtrak’s new Airo trains.

A visit to the Grand Canyon becomes even more memorable aboard the historic Grand Canyon Railway. The vintage train departs daily from Williams, Arizona, traveling roughly two hours and 15 minutes to the South Rim inside Grand Canyon National Park. Formerly known as the Rocky Mountaineer route in the United States, Canyon Spirit connects Moab and Denver on a multi-day rail adventure through the American West.

The route travels through the dramatic Glenwood Canyon, carved by the Colorado River, while also providing access to destinations such as Arches National Park. Travelers ride in spacious glass-domed railcars designed for panoramic sightseeing, while overnight hotel stays allow for a slower, more immersive travel experience.

Train travel continues to experience renewed popularity across the United States because it offers something many vacations no longer provide: the opportunity to slow down and fully appreciate the scenery between destinations. Whether traveling beside the Pacific Ocean, through remote Alaskan wilderness, across mountain passes, or into the desert Southwest, these rail journeys highlight landscapes that are often missed entirely from highways or airplane windows. For travelers searching for a more scenic and memorable summer vacation, America’s railways continue to deliver some of the country’s most rewarding adventures.

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Career Readiness Through Accelerator Partnership Expands at UL Lafayette

Students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette now have access to a new work-based learning opportunity designed to strengthen career preparation and industry experience while earning academic credit, according to this article from the ULL. Through a partnership overseen by the university’s College of Liberal Arts, students can enroll in the semester-long Global Career Accelerator program delivered online by experiential learning company Podium Education. The initiative reflects UL Lafayette’s growing emphasis on connecting classroom instruction with practical workforce experience that prepares students for evolving career demands across multiple industries providing career readiness.

The Global Career Accelerator program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from any academic discipline, allowing participants from a wide range of majors to gain professional experience and career readiness in fields that increasingly shape today’s job market. Full-time and part-time students are eligible to participate, and the program is offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters to provide flexible scheduling opportunities for students balancing coursework, employment, and other responsibilities. By integrating industry-focused projects into an academic framework, the program aims to help students develop practical skills that complement their degree programs while strengthening career readiness before graduation.

University leaders explained that the partnership was developed to give students direct exposure to professional environments and collaborative project work. According to Dr. Ani Kokobobo, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the program allows students to apply classroom learning to real-world business and organizational challenges while building connections with employers and industry professionals. Students who successfully complete the Global Career Accelerator program earn three academic credit hours that count toward their degree requirements, further integrating experiential learning into the university’s academic structure.

The structure of the program was also designed with flexibility in mind. One major component includes weekly “live labs,” interactive virtual sessions held through Zoom where students collaborate with instructors and peers on projects and professional skill development activities. The second component consists of pre-recorded video lessons that participants complete independently according to their own schedules. This blended format allows students to engage in collaborative learning while maintaining the flexibility often needed for students managing internships, jobs, athletics, or family responsibilities alongside their academic commitments.

Experiential learning partnerships such as this one have become increasingly common in higher education as universities respond to employer demand for graduates who possess practical workplace skills in addition to traditional academic knowledge. Programs centered on project-based learning can help students strengthen communication, adaptability, teamwork, and digital literacy while also providing examples of professional experience that can be highlighted on resumes and during job interviews. For many students, these opportunities create an important bridge between theoretical coursework and the expectations of professional environments.

The partnership also reflects broader efforts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to expand innovative learning opportunities that prepare students for changing workforce needs. As industries continue to evolve due to advances in technology, data analysis, and digital communication, universities are increasingly exploring flexible models that combine academic instruction with real-world application. The Global Career Accelerator program represents one example of how UL Lafayette is working to equip students with transferable skills, professional connections, and experiential learning opportunities that can support long-term career success.

By combining academic credit, flexible online delivery, and direct exposure to industry-focused projects, the Global Career Accelerator offers students a new pathway for developing practical experience while completing their degrees. The partnership highlights UL Lafayette’s continued focus on preparing graduates who can adapt to modern workforce demands and contribute effectively across a variety of professional settings.

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