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Later this school year, the Louisiana Department of Education will announce the finalists for Student of the Year.
Erath Middle School’s Rylann Viator has a chance to see her name among those finalists.
Viator, the Vermilion Parish 8th-grade Student of the Year, has been named as a 2025 Student of the Year Regional Honoree.
“It’s such an incredible honor to be given this opportunity!,” Viator exclaimed. “I feel truly blessed to represent Vermilion Parish as I move forward. It’s a reminder of how much I’ve grown, and I’m excited to continue this journey, knowing that I’m part of something so much bigger than myself. I’m ready to learn and challenge myself alongside some of the brightest students in Louisiana!”
According to the state, Viator is among the students who have “demonstrated excellence in leadership, academic performance, achievements,
citizenship, and service to the school and community.” Viator, the daughter of Jake and Amber, is a member of the student council and serves as vice president of the Jr. Beta Club and treasurer of the 4-H Coub. Viator is also part of the EMS Jr. Extreme Dance Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the track team.
“Rylann is definitely a true ambassador of Erath Middle,” Erath Middle Principal Dana Primeaux said. “Rylann has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, a strong work ethic, and a passion for learning. Beyond the classroom, she is a role model of kindness, integrity, and leadership and is always eager to support her peers and contribute to the community. 
“Her perseverance, positive attitude and dedication to both personal and academic growth make her an inspiration to all.”
For Viator, a key to going through this process has been remaining true to herself.
“I showed our school, our parish and our region the true me,” Viator said. “This, along with prayer, has played a huge role in helping me stay focused and grounded throughout the process. But beyond that, I’ve really embraced this process filled with volunteering, interviews, and essay writing, and I grasped every opportunity to learn and incorporate it in the classroom, in my community, and even in my extracurricular activities. I’ve always strived to be someone who gives back, and I truly believe that’s what has kept me moving forward. 
“Every step has been a chance to grow and learn, and I’ve put my heart and soul into it all.”
While doing so, Viator said she was “incredibly proud” to represent her school, her community, and Vermilion Parish as a whole.
“It’s not just about this award for me,” Viator said, “it’s about showing others all the wonderful things happening here in our schools. There’s so much to be proud of, from the teachers, coaches, and administrators who pour their hearts into our education to my classmates who work hard daily. I am, and always will be, a true Bobcat at heart–I bleed Bobcat blue, but Vermilion Red is also an honor to represent, and it’s a responsibility I take seriously. The colors of our parish—blue, red, navy, gold, and black —may be different, but when they come together, they form something truly great. It represents the beauty of how, no matter where we come from, we’re united in our pursuit of excellence and in making our community stronger. 
“I’m proud to be part of our school system,  a place that strives for excellence every day, and it’s an honor to represent Vermilion Parish on this level.”
Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler posted that feeling of pride is mutual.
“Congratulations to Rylann Viator of Erath Middle School on being named a Louisiana Regional Honoree for 8th Grade Student of the Year!,” Byler posted on behalf of the Vermilion Parish School System. “What a wonderful representation of Vermilion Parish!”
After the finalists are named, one student from each of the  5th, 8th and 12th grades will be named  Student of the Year for Louisiana. Whatever the outcome, Viator is ready to continue the journey.
“My goal is to approach this next chapter with an open mind and a heart, ready to learn and give back,” Viator said. “I’m determined to challenge myself and promote the amazing things happening in Vermilion Parish Schools. There’s so much greatness in our community, and I want to share that with others, inspiring them just as I’ve been inspired. This journey isn’t just about me—it’s about representing the values we hold close in Vermilion Parish and continuing to build a future that gives back to the community; we are Vermilion Strong!”

According to Vermilion Parish Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, on February 5th, 2025, at approximately 6:45pm, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO) Patrol Division, received a call in reference to a possible kidnapping that occurred on Maple Street, south of Abbeville.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the complainants who said that they had been awarded custody of their juvenile granddaughter, and that the juvenile’s parents had arrived at their residence and were attempting to take the child against court orders.
They stated that the accused subjects had caused damage to their garage door, made several threats, and entered their residence uninvited. The complainants stated that the accused subjects departed the residence with the juvenile in a white Honda Pilot.
Through investigation and with the use of Crime Center cameras, the suspect vehicle was seen entering Iberia Parish after the crimes had been committed. VPSO deputies contacted the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO) and the New Iberia Police Department (NIPD) and advised them of the situation. IPSO deputies and NIPD officers located and stopped the suspect vehicle inside the city of New Iberia, near the intersection of LA-14 and Avery Island Road.
Both accused subjects, Blake Christopher LeMaire (W/M; DOB: 02-20-1985) and Jacqueline Touchet LeMaire (W/F; DOB: 10-04-1982) were both taken into custody without incident. The juvenile was returned to the grandparents’ custody a short time later.
Due to the arrest of the LeMaires occurring in Iberia Parish, both suspects were booked into the Iberia Parish Correctional Center, before being transferred to the custody of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The LeMaires were subsequently booked into the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center on the following charges:
• Blake LeMaire - Interfering with the Custody of a Child, Simple Assault, Home Invasion, and Simple Criminal Damage to Property
• Jacqueline LeMaire - Interfering with the Custody of a Child, Simple Assault, and Home Invasion
Sheriff Langlinais would like to commend the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division for their quick response and thorough investigation, which led to the safe and rapid return of the juvenile without harm and the apprehension of both suspects without incident.
Additionally, Sheriff Langlinais would like to thank Sheriff Tommy Romero and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, as well as Chief of Police Todd D’Albor and the New Iberia Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.

  The No. 7 Vermilion Catholic Eagles completed the first round of District 6-1A play Tuesday with a 59-52 victory over the Westminster Christian Academy-Lafayette Chargers at Kim Guidry Gym.
 The Eagles (9-3, 4-0) have won their last six games and are in the driver’s seat in the district race.  They have a two-game lead with four to go.  Head coach John Thompson likes the spot his team is in.
 “We have three of our four remaining district games at home,” Thompson said.  “We start the second round Friday at home against Highland Baptist. Then we play Ascension Episcopal and Gueydan at home before we finish at WCA-Lafayette.  That’s going to be a tough one.”
On Tuesday against WCA, the Eagles jumped out to a 15-13 lead after one.  Jyrin Bessard scored eight of his game-high 20 points in the opening frame, including two three-pointers.
“He has a different motor,” Thompson said of his senior guard.  “When he’s on, he’s go, go, go.  I love it.  We must keep him out of foul trouble and let him play his game.”
VC began the second quarter on an 11-2 run to build a 24-15 lead with 6:21 to go in the half.  They expanded it to 20 at 39-19 before the Chargers closed the half on a 7-0 run to make it 39-26 at the break.
 The Eagles expanded the lead back to 19 early in the third before WCA made a run.  The Chargers cut the lead to 50-35 at the 2:18 mark before ending the frame down 52-41.
  Points were at a premium in the fourth, with the Eagles still up double digits, 55-45, with five minutes to go in the game.  WCA got as close as 57-52 with two minutes left before Bessard scored his final two points from the charity stripe to provide the final margin.
 Thompson thought his team showed what they were made of by weathering the storm down the stretch. 
 “It’s grit,” Thompson said.  “We’ve had close games this year.  We’ve given up runs. We’ve given up some leads.  These guys don’t blink.”
Dom Gautreaux joined Bessard in double figures with 13 points.  Jonathan Dartez had eight, while Will Simon scored seven.  Tre Hebert dropped six points, while Joe Langlinais added five.

VC  girls win big
            In the early game, the No. 13 Vermilion Catholic Lady Eagles dominated the Westminster Christian Academy-Lafayette Lady Chargers 68-25.
 VC (16-3, 6-0) raced out to a 27-6 lead after one as junior Ali Broussard scored 15 of her game-high 26 points in the opening frame.  They expanded the lead to 40-15 by halftime.  
 The Lady Eagles outscored WCA-Lafayette 28-10 in the second half to provide the final margin. 
Ten different players scored in the game for VC.  Broussard led the way with 26, while Brynn Broussard, Zoei Thibodeaux, and Keiya Green all scored nine points.  Anna Boudreaux and Jenna-Beth Hagle each added four points, while Jolie Broussard, Audrey Boudreaux, and Evelyn Vincent scored two points, and Bree Thomassee scored one.
Both teams hosted Highland Baptist on Friday.  They also host Ascension Episcopal on Tuesday before welcoming parish-rival Erath on Wednesday.

Maxwell Hayden Edward Mayeaux, age 70, passed away Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, in Annapolis, MD, following a long illness. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 14th, at 2 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist cemetery in Lafayette, LA. (914 St. John St., Lafayette LA 70501)
Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Lutomske Mayeaux; his brother, Luke Andrew Mayeaux (Esther); his sister, Katie Mayeaux Jones (Kent); and his nieces, Trisha Kristin Mayeaux, Zoe Christine Lutomske, and Gia Marie Lutomske.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Hayden E. Mayeaux and Norma Crane Mayeaux; his brothers, John Barton Mayeaux and Paul English Mayeaux; and his sister, Tracey Elizabeth Mayeaux.
A retired Aquaculture Program Specialist from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Max graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Marine Biology and both a B.S. and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (Aquaculture) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and a doctoral minor in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University.
Max was a tender-hearted soul who was unfailingly loving, funny, and brilliant. Though he lived with Rebecca in Bowie, MD, his heart was always in Louisiana. Max was a dedicated outdoorsman. Whenever asked what he loved to do or would rather be doing, he always responded, “fishing,” but his fondest memories involved duck hunting at the camp with his father, brothers, and many friends.
Second, only to his love of the out-of-doors was his love of music. Max leaves behind nine guitars, five amplifiers (and about a dozen pedals and boxes I could not identify on a bet).
Still, above all, he leaves us with the memory of a kind and loving heart, a keen intellect, and a laugh that I can still hear when I close my eyes. Rest well, my love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lafayette Area Resources Center (LARC, Inc.) in Max’s memory and, indeed, in special remembrance of Tracey Elizabeth Mayeaux, our personal angel.
LARC, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization based in Lafayette, LA, providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Donations may be made online in their memory at https://lafayettelarc.org/donate/ , or you may mail the donation to their offices at:
LARC, INC.
303 New Hope Road,
Lafayette, LA 70506