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Dear Parents, This year, Easter Sunday holds a duel meaning for members of the Vandebilt Catholic family. Most importantly, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I wish all a holy Easter season and an enjoyable spring break. March 27 is also the 50

th anniversary of

our school being named for Father August Vandebilt. An article in the Houma Courier dated March 4, 1966, stated the following about our namesake.

In making the announcement that the school would be dedicated to the memory of Father

Vandebilt, Father LaFranz expressed the desire that the high school would stand as a

monument to the parish priest who had given his all, spiritually, mentally, and financially, to

building not only Catholic education but the Catholic faith in the Terrebonne area.

On March 21, our school’s advisory council made final recommendations pertaining to the 2016-2017 budget. We currently have 856 students enrolled for next year. While we expected lower enrollment, two other items have also affected the budget. Schools were instructed by diocesan officials to budget no state funds. This means that we instantly loose $25,000 in textbook funds. We were also told that required services funds would be completely defunded in the future. This year we have $107,000 of these funds in the budget, and we have that money in hand. As we move forward, we will have a $132,000 short fall. I ask that you call your state representatives and ask that this funding be returned. Catholic schools save the state hundreds of millions of dollars per year by educating thousands of students. These funds represent slightly over $150.00 per pupil while the expenditure per student in Terrebonne Parish is over $8,000.00 per year. That small assistance from the state helps to keep tuition lower at our school for taxpayers like all of you.

To offset these cuts and lower enrollment numbers, we have decided to freeze all salaries, not to replace one teacher who is leaving, and to cut budgets where possible. Even though we have taken these steps, I can promise that our school will offer the highest quality Catholic education possible. I also ask that you help raise funds through our raffle that will help offset some of the budget cuts. We also plan to use some raffle proceeds to offer more tuition assistance to families in need because of our local economy. During tough economic times like these, the Vandebilt Catholic family will pull together and help those in need. We will also continually maintain and improve our facilities with money dedicated for that purpose.

We have begun to make personnel changes for next year. Ami Bourgeois, who served part time as alumni director this year, will be needed fulltime in the classroom. She did a terrific job working with our alumni and will hand her role of alumni director to Katie Calhoun Anderson, Class of 2002. One of Katie’s first goals is to revive the Vandebilt Catholic Alumni Association. We are looking for representatives from each decade to serve on the alumni board. We want input to develop additional alumni events and to reconnect with our thousands of alumni. If you are interested in hearing more about the association, call Katie Anderson at Brothers’ Hall.

I want to invite all of you to a very special event. On Sunday, April 10, at 2:00 p.m. in Kolb Center, we will name our softball facilities for Coach Gerald Albert and Coach Margaret Johnson. Both of these individuals dedicated years of their lives to the students at our school. They are people of great character and are very deserving of this honor. I hope to see you there.

Thank you for choosing Vandebilt Catholic for your children!

Yours in Christ, David Boudreaux President Vandebilt Catholic High School

GREG LEBLANC

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Everyone is welcome to attend all Masses at Vandebilt Catholic High School.

Daily Mass is celebrated in the school chapel at 7:20 a.m., preceded by the Liturgy of the Hours at

7:00 a.m.

School-wide Masses listed below begin at 9:15 a.m. in the Brother Alfred Kolb Center.

Monday, April 25, 2016 – Senior Mass with Bishop Fabre

Friday, May 13, 2016 – Junior Ring Mass

Service hour information is available at http://www.vandebiltcatholic.org/catholic-identity/service-hour-requirements/.

We remember in our prayers

Jace Dupre Mrs. Siera Smith Michael LeCompte Mr. Donald Banowetz Mr. Harold Haydel Mrs. Wendy Couvillon Mr. John Pitre Alaina Maiorana Madeline Breaux Mr. Herbert Vegas Ms. Anne Belanger Mrs. Janie Roger Mrs. Wanda Babin Jace Dupre Mrs. Siera Smith Michael LeCompte

Prayers for Healing (click link)

Please e-mail prayer requests to Lisa Vegas at lvegas@htdiocese.org.

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Students are to be picked up only at two locations.

If your ride plans to go out on Tunnel, you will be picked up in the back of the cafeteria.

If your ride plans to go out on Hollywood, you will be picked up at the Kolb Center. All vehicles parked in the Kolb Center parking lot must exit on Hollywood.

April 2016 4 Classes Resume 6 4th Quarter Senior Interims 8 Art Show 9 ACT 13 4th Quarter Interims 14-15 Aspire Testing (8th – 10th graders) 16 Prom & State Literary Rally 19 ACT District Testing 22 Vandypalooza 25 Senior Mass - Bishop Fabre

Calendars and schedules are available on the Vandebilt Catholic Web site at

www.vandebiltcatholic.org/parent-groups/calendar-schedules/

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Registration and Course Selection Sheets for the 2016-2017 school year are now past due. Please contact the school as soon as possible if you are in need of a registration or course selection packet. Academic Recovery is available for students on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in room 222 and on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:20 – 7:50 a.m. in room 132. A student in need of extra help or a place to study is welcome to utilize these complimentary services. Students who sign up to tutor at these times may earn service hours. Tutors are especially needed for Algebra I and Advanced Math I. See Mr. Moreaux if you can help. You can earn service hours for tutoring.

ACT NATIONAL TEST DATES TEST DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE LATE FEE REQUIRED

April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016 March 5-18, 2016

June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016 May 7-20, 2016

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Senior Scholarship information:

Any male accepted to LSU for Fall 2016 can apply for the Balanced Man Scholarship. The Sigma Phi Epsilon balanced man is a leader, scholar, athlete, and a gentleman. This scholarship is offering 3 onetime awards to incoming freshmen for the 2016-2017 school year.

Applications can be found online at www.lsusigep.com under the Balanced Man Scholarship link on the homepage. Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2016.

American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship Program awards multiple winners ranging from $1000-$5000. Application deadline is April 1, 2016. Instructions can be found at www.AmericanCollegeFoundation.org.

American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship Program awards multiple winners ranging from $1000-$5000. Application deadline is April 1, 2016. Instructions can be found at www.AmericanCollegeFoundation.org.

Any male accepted to LSU for Fall 2016 can apply for the Balanced Man Scholarship. The Sigma Phi Epsilon balanced man is a leader, scholar, athlete, and a gentleman. This scholarship is offering 3 onetime awards to incoming freshmen for the 2016-2017 school year. Applications can be found online at www.lsusigep.com under the Balanced Man Scholarship link on the homepage. Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2016.

SLECA Scholarship application is available to those students in the SLECA service area. Student must have a minimum “C” average in high school, must be a fulltime student in college, and must have a need for financial help. Applications must be received at SLECA no later than March 31, 2016. Applications can be found online or in the guidance office.

Information and applications for The Catholic Youth Leadership Award is available at www.louisianakc.org. (Select CYLA.) Applications must be done online.

Rotary Club of Houma-Terrebonne 2016 Application “Service Above Self” Scholarship is now available in guidance. Completed applications are due back to guidance by Monday, April 11, 2016.

Bayou Industrial Group is now accepting applications. Students must be attending Nicholls, Fletcher, or South Central LA Technical College in the fall 2016. Scholarship program description and the application are available on the BIG Web site: www.bayouindustrialgroup.com/schoalrships.html. Postmark deadline is April 8.

Gamma Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Fraternity is offering a scholarship. Applications are in guidance and must be postmarked by May 9, 2016. This application requires a 500-word essay.

There are 9 scholarship programs for which students of Louisiana school districts are eligible to apply. To download the newsletter with the information of these 9 scholarship offers, go to www.studentscholarships.org/newsletter.php. Application deadlines differ for each as well as qualifications. See Mrs. Matherne if you have trouble downloading the newsletter.

The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association is offering $500 scholarships to graduating seniors throughout the state. Students must apply by April 1, 2016, with the sheriff’s office in the parish in which they reside. Applications are available at www.lsa.org/public/scholarship.aspx.

The Howard L. Nixon Music Foundation is offering a scholarship that can be renewed once in college for anyone pursuing a college degree in vocal music or piano. All applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2016. See Mrs. Matherne for applications.

Neblett, Beard, and Arsenault Law Firm is offering a scholarship with prize amounts of $1500, $1000, and $500. Application requires a 500-word essay on distracted driving in Louisiana. Applications can be found online at www.nbalawfirm.com/2016-scholarship-essay-contest. Entries must be submitted by May 15, 2016.

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Seniors, if you plan to attend Southern University, please see Mrs. Matherne for possible scholarship information. Due date is April 11, 2016, and you must be enrolled for the 2016-2017 school year.

Senior boys planning to attend Nicholls State University, The Gentleman Scholarship application is available in guidance. Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and show competencies in one or several of the following areas: scholarship, leadership, athletics, and philanthropy. Deadline to apply is Friday, April, 15, 2016.

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Vandebilt Catholic parents and students may login to PlusPortals to access important information. Visit www.vandebiltcatholic.org to log in to PlusPortals by clicking the LOGIN button at the top right of any page. School cafeteria information such as account balances, menus, and free/reduced lunch applications are available on the following Web site: www.schoolcafe.org. Car raffle ticket money is collected every Tuesday morning. Please return sold ticket stubs and money. You may request additional books to tickets to sell by contacting the school office.

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All student athletes are invited to join the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Join us in nourishing your body and soul. For more information on becoming a spiritual warrior, contact Coach Amedee. Students wishing to participate in athletics are required to have a physical before activity is allowed. The physical packet must be completed and handed to the coach before a student can participate in sports. This packet is available on our Web site; it is also available in the athletic office and the front office of school. http://www.vandebiltcatholic.org/student-life/athletics/ The Student Athlete Handbook and Code of Conduct are posted on our Web site for your reference. http://www.vandebiltcatholic.org/student-life/athletics/

Upcoming Events: Saturday, April 2, 2016 1:00 Alumni Baseball Reunion Sunday, April 10, 2016 2:00 Alumni Softball Reunion & Naming of Softball Facilities Monday, April 11, 2016 Terrier Club Golf Classic

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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Please support and participate in the annual fund drive this year. We ask your help in attaining

our goal, which is $80,000. Kindly donate to this appeal by mail or online by visiting www.vandebiltcatholic.org. All donations to the Annual Fund are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Two panels on our Hollywood Road marquee are available for purchase. Sponsorship gives

your business the opportunity to advertise and support Vandebilt. A five-year commitment will include a lighted panel along with a scrolling message, which will be operable twenty hours per day, 365 days per year. The cost of this bundled advertisement is $5000 per year – a true bargain for advertising in this area. If you would like more information, please contact Mrs. Lisa Vegas at 580-1868.

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AmazonSmile is a Web site operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

$31,930.00

$48,070.00

ANNUAL FUND UNRESTRICTED GIFTS

left to goal received

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ABOUT AMAZONSMILE What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you will find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile? To shop at AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com from the Web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations? Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible.

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile? Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile? On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

Please enter Vandebilt Catholic High School.

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Upcoming Events:

Vandypalooza – April 22, 2016

Senior Breakfast Setup

Senior Breakfast – May 6, 2016 Information about volunteering for these events will be sent out later. Thank you in advance for considering helping with these events. The Stop ‘N Paws bookstore trailer is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays at both lunches. God bless you, Denise George Communications/Publicity Officer VCH Mothers’ Club 2015-2016 Vchsmothersclub@gmail.com

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National Library Week is April 11 – April 15! There will be different activities all week, one of which will be "We Read Too, Guess Who.” We will display pictures of faculty members holding library books that cover most of their face, and students will be able to guess what teacher is reading what book. We encourage all faculty and students to participate in the daily events. Prizes will be awarded!

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Early checkouts for medical or dental appointments during the school day should be avoided. Requests for such dismissal, when necessary, must be in written form and signed by the student’s parents. The student must present this note before 7:55 a.m. in the Dean of Student’s Office for an early dismissal slip. With all early dismissals, to receive an admit slip back to class, the student must return the dismissal slip signed by the doctor or parent to the Dean of Student Life’s Office when he/she returns to school. The Green Team will be selling reusable water bottles all year. Please help the Green Team expand their recycling efforts by purchasing a bottle for $10 in guidance.

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The SafeHomes Pledge has been posted on Vandebilt’s Web site. We encourage all of our parents to read the information. If you would like to make this commitment, you may complete and submit the form electronically by visiting http://www.vandebiltcatholic.org/parent-groups/. You may also print the sheet, complete it, and submit it to Vandebilt Catholic. Vandebilt parents who pledge to provide a Safe Home will be listed in a directory, which is also available on our Web site. Reminder to students and parents: You can anonymously report bullying and harassing issues by sending an e-mail to bethechange@htdiocese.org. This e-mail is seen only by the Dean of Students, Mrs. Amanda Robertson.

Vandebilt Catholic High School $50,000 - 50

th Anniversary Raffle

Raffle Information:

1. Complete rules can be found at www.vandebiltcatholic.org. 2. Please do not collect money without the corresponding ticket stubs. 3. All checks should be made payable to Vandebilt Catholic High School. 4. Ticket stubs, collected money, and/or unsold tickets can be returned to the front office or

Brother's Hall. 5. To donate 20% to an organization, team, or club, the name of the group must be clearly written

on the back of the ticket stub. 6. Additional books of tickets can be obtained in the front office or Brother's Hall. 7. All ticket stubs, collected money, and/or unsold tickets must be returned to school by May 16,

2016. We need your help selling tickets at your church parish and at Sam’s.

Please contact kanderson@htdiocese.org for more information.

Volunteer Dates for Raffle Ticket Sales April 9 St. Anthony Church (4:00 p.m. Mass) April 10 St. Anthony Church (8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses) April 23 Sam's Club (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) St. Francis Church (4:00 p.m. Mass) April 24 St. Francis Church (7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Masses) May 14 Sam's Club (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Annunziata Church (4:00 p.m. Mass) May 15 Annunziata Church (9 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 7:15 p.m. Masses)

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VANDEBILT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

CALENDAR FOR 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR

August 1, 2, 3 .................... Faculty Meetings August 4 ............................ Eighth Grade & Senior Orientation August 5 ............................ Orientation for Grades 9-11 August 8……………. ......... First Day of Classes September 5 ...................... Labor Day Holiday September 6 ...................... Diocesan Educators Conference October 10-13 ................... First Quarter Exams October 14 …………….. .... Fall Break October 29 ......................... New Autumn Festival November 8 ....................... Election Day Holiday November 21-25 ................ Thanksgiving Week December 15-20 ................ First Semester Exams (over a weekend)

December 21-January 2 .... Christmas Holiday January 3 ........................... Classes Resume January 16 ......................... Martin Luther King Holiday February 21-24 .................. Third Quarter Exams February 27-March 3 ......... Mardi Gras Holiday March 6 ............................. Faculty In-service April 13 .............................. Social Justice Day for Faculty April 14-April 21 ................. Easter Break May 8-11 ........................... Senior Final Exams May 20 ............................... Graduation May 22-25 ......................... Final Exams May 26 ............................... Records Day / Exam Review Day

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Our home football games attract thousands of fans and potential customers. The football program can be an effective and efficient way of attracting and retaining customers while supporting local athletics. The program book is the major fundraiser for the cheerleading squad. Your ad will appear in the program sold at all home football games. We hope that we will have your help and support to continue the success of our program. If you choose to support our program, please do the following:

1. Fill out the form below and return it to Vandebilt Catholic High School, Attn: Kayla Vicknair, 209 South Hollywood Road, Houma, LA 70360.

2. Make all checks payable to Vandebilt Catholic High School. 3. Send a layout of how you would like your ad to read. Send a picture, business logo, or a

business card if applicable. Pictures included in the ad will cost $8.00 per picture. 4. To draft your ad:

a. All copies should be neatly written or typed. b. Any artwork should be clean black and white prints. c. Pencil art is not acceptable – it does not reproduce well. d. Try to keep copy to a minimum. e. Use original photographs. f. Do not put tape on the face of the photographs or names on the back. g. Digital photos must be set or scanned at 300 dpi.

5. Cover pages are available on a first come-first served basis.

ALL ADS ARE DUE BY August 1, 2016! If you have any questions, please contact any varsity cheerleader or Kayla Vicknair, cheerleader moderator, at 985-876-2551 or by e-mail at kvicknair@htdiocese.org. For additional forms, visit our Web site www.vandebiltcatholic.org. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, VCHS Cheerleaders

2016 FOOTBALL PROGRAM ADVERTISEMENT Advertiser’s Name_________________________________________________________________________

Address, City, Zip________________________________________________________________________

Telephone_______________________________________________________________________________

Contact Person __________________________________________________________________________

Cheerleader contact______________________________________________________________________

AD SIZE: _____$225 Full Page _____$ 140 Half Page _____$85 Quarter Page _____$75 Eighth Page

_____$300 (Inside Back Cover) AD PRICE: __________ PICTURES ($8 each) __________ TOTAL ENCLOSED __________