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Jude Miller, a senior at Vermilion Catholic High School, just like many kids that age, began drawing around 12 and described his art as ‘just okay’. Five years later, his artwork has gained many fans, and he has credited that to practicing and being inspired by other good artists.
The 17-year old says that sometimes, he does get to the point where he wants to draw and create, but there is this thing called artist block. Much like writer block, it can quickly become difficult to either finish or begin something you want to encompass. With Miller, he tries to get inspired by looking at work from other creators, hoping an idea comes to mind.
Some artists can take years to finish their pieces of art while some take months or days. That is how it is for Miller.
“It all depends on the piece I’m working on,” he said, “I rarely finish a piece in one day. I usually spread them out over some time, which can vary from weeks to months.” Miller says that he doesn’t like to stick to one theme, but he can usually create anything with much detail if he has a pencil in hand.
Some families are full of artistic and artfully talented people. Still, Miller says that the only person he can think of that is talented in this way is his grandfather, and Miller’s mother, Sonya, agreed. “Although Jude’s drawings have much more detail and depth to them comparing it to my father’s work, I do believe he did get his artistic abilities from my father,” she said.
Miller’s grandfather, Larry LeBlanc, used to draw and paint his own Christmas decorations that he would put on display every year before he passed away. Miller’s family is proud of him and his fantastic talent and admire his passion and hard work that he puts into every piece that he creates. It is refreshing for them to see someone draw again after losing someone who enjoyed it so much.
Having enough art to fill an exhibit, Miller has a few of his favorites. Although his favorite art is done by using a pencil, he has painted, too.
“I’m glad my drawings had gotten much better since I think it used to be bad when I first started. It took a lot of practice.” He will draw it if something comes to mind, and there isn’t much out there that he can’t draw. Some artists stick to portraits, scenery, even abstract art, but once Miller feels inspired by something, he gets an idea and draws it, which could be anything, even animals.
One favorite is a portrait he drew of his late cousin, Kalix Broussard, who passed in a terrible vehicle accident in January of this year.
Kalix’s father, Bubba Broussard, recalled the moment he received the portrait from Miller.
“Jude drew this for myself and my wife as a wedding gift,” he said, “Kalix passed in January, and my fiance’ at the time and myself were planning our wedding for a couple of years prior of Kalix’s passing.” Despite the wedding being so close to the date of Broussard’s son passing, Broussard and his fiance’ decided to continue with the wedding.
“We knew in our hearts that Kalix would not want us to cancel, so we continued with the wedding as planned, which was in March,” he said, “This was one of our gifts from Jude, and it meant the world to us and still does to this day as it sits in our living room overlooking us every minute of every day,” Broussard said.
Though Miller is undecided on the path he will take in life, he is sure his drawing will never leave him. “I do want to go to college, but I’m not sure what I want to go for yet, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop drawing,” he said. As far as a favorite artist, Miller has many that he follows on social media and says that naming a few wouldn’t do justice to anyone.
Miller is known to be a special person, as said by his family and friends, but to have a special person with that much talent who can gift someone something like Kalix’s portrait says a lot about his character. “We know there are so many people proud of him, and I think he knows that. We just hope he never forgets it,” his family said.

Seventh Ward Elementary Principal Marlene Primeaux presented Ms. Angie Detraz with flowers on Friday. Ms. Angie was chosen as Teacher of the Year by her faculty and staff for 2020. She goes above and beyond her teaching job description to teach and help the students and faculty in this school. She is very dedicated to the education of our children and tries to help each individual reach their potential.

In August, discussion during a meeting in Abbeville centered around feral and “community” cats.
These are cats that do no have an owner.
Some people see the cats as a benefit to the community, such as regulating the rodent population. Some people do act as “caretakers” for the cats and feed them.
Others in community see the cats as strictly a nuisance, arguing that there needs to be a way to regulate the growing number of cats.
While the city is working to draft an ordinance regarding free-roaming cats, something that will also include dogs, one of the suggestions at the August meeting focused on the humane path of spaying and neutering the cats.
Debbie Garrot, who runs the Vermilion Parish Rabies Animal Control for the Vermilion Parish Police Jury, said those efforts are being made. From Sept. 14 to Nov. 3, she and other volunteers rounded up 39 feral cats in Abbeville. The cats were transported to Wild Cat Spaynation in Lafayette.
“We had them neutered and spayed,” Garrot said. “We had the three-year rabies vaccination given.
“Then we returned them to the caretakers and the community.”
Donations have covered the cost of the spaying and neutering, as well as the vaccinations. The process costs around $40 per cat.
“We have had several people donate funds,” Garrot said.
Garrot reiterated that this is the most humane option to deal with the situation.
“These cats will not continue a lineage,” Garrot said. “Our goal is to stop the re-production.”
Garrot is encouraging people, who see an abundance of feral cats in their area, to contact her at 652-6148.
“There are people who have the $40,” Garrot said, “but they don’t have the time to trap the cats and bring them to Lafayette.
“We can help do that.”
Garrot said anyone wanting to make a financial donation that will be used toward the cost of spaying and neutering cats can contact her.
“We hope to continue our efforts to control animals throughout the parish in 2021,” Garrot said.

ERATH - A Mass of Christian Burial for Leah Thibodeaux Hulin, 102, will be at 3:00PM Wednesday November 11, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery.
Visitation will be in David Funeral Home of Erath Wednesday November 11, 2020 from 9:00AM until service time.
Leah, a native and life resident of Erath passed away Sunday November 8, 2020 in a family residence. She loved the RV way of life and was a member of several RV clubs. She enjoyed cooking and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her sons, Lindsey J. Hulin Sr. of Erath, Don R. Hulin of Lafayette, 5 grandchildren, Todd Hulin and his wife Barbara of Abbeville, Melissa Savario and husband David of Baton Rouge, Nanette Hulin and partner Rachel Landry of Erath, Roxanne Backus and husband Jeffrey of Utah, and Bosco Hulin and wife Monique of Youngsville, 11 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband C.J. Hulin, her sister Nella T. Delcambre, and 3 brothers, Alphe Thibodeaux, Ovie Thibodeaux, and Ophe Thibodeaux.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.” 
David Funeral Home in Erath is in charge of arrangements 209 E. Putnam St. Erath, LA 70533 (337) 937-0405.