Louisiana Building Jump Start Curriculum for Restoring the Coast
According to this Nola.com article, and talk at the Louisiana Department of Education, there is dialog about upcoming programs for Environmental Protection and Sustainability. The article states, “This is a top priority in coastal communities, where nearly 2,000-square miles of landscape has disappeared into the Gulf over the past 80 years. The pathway aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the state’s environmental challenges and build on the success of corresponding, existing pathways like maritime and skilled crafts.”
The article also says the jumpstart pathway program will include “courses in subjects like Louisiana deltaic systems, wetlands ecology and environmental management; require first-hand work experience, and culminate in a credential. Students who complete the pathway will be better positioned to assume careers in the field.”
For more information on the future of this pathway and the Jumpstart program, click here.
The Louisiana Department of Education has stated in this press release that The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education had a vote this past Wednesday to award nearly $12 million in grant funding to support 56 school systems across the state as they create and implement initiatives to improve the reading and writing skills of struggling students.
As stated in the article, “The subgrants draw from a three-year, $55.5 million Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL) grant Louisiana received from the federal government in October 2017. The SRCL grant aims to advance the pre-literacy, reading and writing skills of disadvantaged youth, birth through grade 12, including English learners and students with disabilities. Louisiana was one of 11 states selected to benefit from the federal grant, and the only state to receive the award three consecutive times.”
As 2017 comes to a close and 2018 begins, the Benny Cenac Towing Company has taken some time to look back on the phenomenal year they’ve had. Benny Cenac and his towing company, had an outstanding year in 2017 and it’s something they are very proud of. The team was very fortunate to be a part of so many momentous events in the Houma area. In this moment of reflection, they see what they have been able to accomplish, and set their eyes on what is to come.
Community
One of the guiding principles that make up a large part of the Benny Cenac Towing Company culture is service. Not only does the team value service for its customers and partners, but they equally value service in the company’s South Louisiana community. Two of their greatest community achievements in 2017 that both Cenac and his team were remarkably proud to be a part of were the donation of a barge to the South Central Louisiana Technical Collegeand their participation in the Houma Downtown Christmas Festival.
The barge donation was finalized and christened in November 2017. The dedicated barge, which measures 158 feet by 40 feet, is an exact replica of a standard Cenac Marine Services tank barge with all the bells and whistles. Mr. Benny Cenac, CEO of Cenac Marine Services, expressed his gratitude and excitement in being able to donate this important piece of equipment to the college during the christening of the barge. He explained his hopes for the future of his Houma and South Louisiana community that will be directly affected by this gift as it will provide elite training and mold qualified personnel to be future industry front-runners. The Benny Cenac Towing company is very much looking forward to a building and maintaining a strong relationship with those at South Louisiana Community Collegeas they watch the outcome of the barge donation grow over years to come.
Cenac Marine Services was privileged to participate in the Downtown Houma Christmas Festivalfor the 2nd year in a row. Being able to contribute to the addition of the Christmas Festival was something they were looking forward to all year. It is vital for the area to have family friendly events that can become a part of yearly holiday traditions. The Cenac family had a great time participating in the events, both through volunteer setup and attending the festival and parade. They are once again looking forward to continuing to support and participate in this event year after year.
Education
Benny Cenac and the Benny Cenac Towing team have been dedicated to the success of the company and their hard work is always marked. Cenac Marine Services and Benny Cenac, have always been dedicated in their endeavor to providing the absolute best for children and young adults when it comes to education. For that reason, Cenac is especially proud of the part they could play in assisting the local educational community in 2017.
First, Mr. Arlen B. Cenac made several donations to the Stella Learning Centerincluding two laptops for classrooms in order for them to use a Promethean Board. The Promethean Board is a specific brand of interactive whiteboard that allows one to project an image from a laptop or a computer, as well as, interact with the board through touch or specialized pens. This allows the students to access interactive learning. There were also two, $2,500.00 scholarships for children with disabilities to help defray cost of tuition, as well as a donated Terrebonne Parish Act 3 Curriculum which brings their curriculum up to date for that age group. And finally, Cenac contributed funds for new playground equipment and mulch.
Another memorable partnership Benny Cenac made in 2017 was with Edward Douglas White Catholic High Schoolwhen he fast tracked a notable donation to the school so that they could begin construction on a new and improved facility. “Mr. Benny’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.
Mr. Cenac also teamed up with Vandebilt Catholic Highfor the Sacred Heart Scholarship Fund. The 2017-2018 school year was the first of many years for the Arlen “Benny” Cenac, Jr. Sacred Heart Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was and will continue to be dedicated towards tuition assistance of children from families in financial need. The awards will range from $1,000 to the total cost of tuition per year and may extend multiple years while a student is enrolled at Vandebilt Catholic High. The criteria for being eligible for this grant will be based on need, desire, recommendation and selection.
Mr. Cenac stated, “The influence of a great education is something that cannot be replaced. I want to make sure I am doing my part in helping these young adults achieve greatness along with building strong core values of integrity and excellence.”
As always, all of the success at Cenac Marine is credited to the wonderfully dedicated team. The entire team is eternally grateful for each and every one of them and are looking forward to what 2018 will bring for the Cenac Team.
For more on Houma Philanthropist, Benny Cenac’s support for education, click here.
South Louisiana Community College has reported a 95% increase in their Maritime Training Program in St. Mary Parish. Nearly 1,000 students have enrolled over the past six months which is a considerable growth in terms of enrollment.
“Under the guidance of SLCC’s Corporate College, our Marine Operations program is now able to focus on what we do best – service the oil and gas industry,” said Captain Carl Moore, assistant dean of the Marine and Petroleum Training Centers in Houma and Morgan City.
Captain Carl Moore also played a vital role in the donation of a replica Cenac Marine Service Barge to South Louisiana Community College, which you can read more about here.
The program provides specialized Coast Guard-approved classroom instruction as well as practical training for students. To read more information on the growth of enrollment, as well as the Maritime training program itself, click here.
Nola.com has recently stated that “Scientists at the Hammond-based University have used Christmas trees for marsh and wetlands restoration projects in the Manchac area for the past two decades.” Most people have not known that for almost 20 years, the University has collected over 36,000 trees that they use to deploy across the wetlands and marshes in South Louisiana. The trees help dissolve wave action along shorelines while collecting sediment. The article, which can be found here, also states that “the recycled trees provide protection against shoreline erosion and building new land to offset subsidence and sea-level rise as well as being used to create new habitats for plants and animals.”
Did you know that Nicholls State offers the only accredited dietetics program in Southeastern Louisiana and the Greater New Orleans area? “A bachelor’s degree in dietetics from an accredited program is the first step in becoming a registered dietitian” as stated on their school website. So if you are looking for a curriculum that prepares students for post-baccalaureate programs and the workforce with academic, laboratory and clinical education experiences, Nicholls is your go-to University.
To read more about the Dietetics program that is offered at Nicholls State University, click here.
