The Vernon Parish School Board, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, and the 30th Judicial District Court will host the 36th Annual Academic Awards Banquet on Monday, April 29, at the East Leesville Baptist Church Family Life Center beginning at 6 p.m.
Since 1988, graduating seniors from all Vernon Parish schools and their guests gather for an evening of congratulations.
Banquet Coordinator, Karen Robertson, with the School Board said 140 medallions will be handed out to this year’s group. These students have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher through their high school years. Robertson pointed out the efforts of the Junior 4-H program for serving the evening meal, the Leesville Pro-Start program for the set up, and Deep South Catering/Ed Kennebrew for the preparation of the meals.
The guest speaker for the evening will be District 30 State Representative Charles Owen. His father, the late Creighton Owen, former Superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools, and the late Bill Bailey, former Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, were instrumental in making this program a reality for local students.
Due to the staggered graduation dates around the parish, the banquet is a little earlier than normal this year.