The Louisiana SAR held its annual meeting April 8-9th at the Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, LA
After dispensing with the reports of the officers and chapters, the society moved to the always enjoyable youth contests. The Elementary School Poster Contest was judged and the winner was Ava Lantrip from Ruston. Ava is 11 years old and is a 5th grader at Cedar Creek School in Ruston. The Americanism Middle School Brochure contest was also judged and the winner was Kip Spillers. Kip is 12 years old and a student at Calhoun Middle School in Calhoun, LA
A video was presented by Isabella Howard, who represent the Louisiana SAR in the Rumbaugh Orations contest. Isabella is a homeschooled and is in the 11th grade.
Several members were recognized for their service to the Louisiana SAR or for national service to the SAR. Derrick Spell received the Lafayette Medal for volunteer service to national as well as the Benjamin Franklin Medal with Benefactor bar for his generous support of the SAR Genealogical Research Library. John Francois received the Silver Roger Sherman Medal for his work on the Opelousas marker, and Billy LeJeune received a certificate recognizing his military service in Korea. Tony L. Vets Sr received the Silver Roger Sherman Medal for his work in support of the Louisiana SAR.
At the Presidents Banquet on Saturday night, the assembled guests heard from their guest speaker, Dr Bill Campbell, then, the time had come for the instillation of officers elected earlier that day. Registrar General Tony L. Vets Sr served as the installing officer, giving the oath of office to newly elected State President Jeffrey W. Nolen of the SW LA Chapter. Other officers included James Schnieder (1st VP), John Francois (2nd VP), Fred Hamilton (3rd VP), Randall Domingue (Secretary), John McKay (Assistant Secretary), Russ Godwin (Treasurer), Bradley T. Hayes (Chancellor), Gerald Schroder (Registrar), Steve Ray (Historian), K. Mike Sawrie (Chaplain), Pat Dye (Genealogist), James A. Morock, M.D. (Surgeon).