Nancy Pearce

My little pal Lorenzo Smith is entering third grade next year at Park Elementary. He has been an example of the success of the Mayor’s Afternoon Program for kids who need tutoring to increase their chances of moving ahead academically and socially.

Lorenzo has been mentored by some caring people in the community who heard about his struggles and came to his aid generously and without reservation, giving of their time, money and love. Primarily they are members of Love, an organization that provides for kids that need school supplies and uniforms.

Advertisement

They quickly came to aid in that capacity, and after becoming aware of other needs through his teacher, they began to personally provide for other necessities. Out of their own pockets, they provided for Christmas gifts and provided food for his household. Barber Cliff Williams, who gives regular haircuts to children in need also gave not only of time and material needs, but of his love and attention. Margaret Ford and her mother, Lela, opened their home to him when, with his mom’s approval, they gave full-time effort to help him improve his academic and social performance. They did this for no compensation but the happiness they got when after the efforts of many, he made it to the third grade after a long effort on his part as well.

To reward his efforts, Mayor Hilda Curry appointed him an Admiral of the Teche on May 25 at Teche United Church of Christ, where he is a member of the Children’s Choir. Mayor Curry said that this was the first time she named a child as an Admiral of the Teche.

Also recognized for academic honors were Brianna Mitchell and Bralyn Jacobs, sixth-graders at North Lewis Elementary School and Dominique Lewis, a sixth-grader at Dodson Elementary School. Margaret Ford was awarded the key to the city and appointed an Admiral of the Teche and she and her mother, Mrs. Lela Ford were presented with bouquets of roses from Lorenzo for their special support of him in helping achieve his academic and social goals.

Others in attendance, along with members of the congregation and its pastor the Rev. Paul Godfrey were Cliff Williams, Taya Lewis, Wallace Ozenne, former City Councilwoman Peggy Gerac and Councilman Raymond “Shoe-Do” Lewis and many other friends and supporters.

I enjoyed talking to the Rev. Paul Godfrey and found we had some things in common. Both of us attended Nicholls State University as English and journalism majors, although at separate phases of our education. Pastor Godfrey left journalism behind after he heard the Lord’s call to the ministry. He teaches school in Franklin and will be pursuing studies in education at Nicholls in the near future. Pastor Godfrey made it into the ministry while I had to flee the nunnery.

The mayor’s program will continue as a summer camp at City Park and West End Park. This will give students a good start at the beginning of school in August.

Get out those itsy bitsi teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikinis and roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. We’ll go on V-A-C-A-T I-O-N till the start of fall, we gonna have a ball. Hit the beach everybody! Frankie and Annette are waiting for a game of beach blanket bingo. Don’t miss out!

NANCY PEARCE is a resident of New Iberia and a former contributor to a liturgical guide for priests. Many of her features appeared in a major national publication for teenagers.