Congratulations to Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program 2022-2023 Class Graduate, Braylin Broussard, for being elected as President Pro-Tempore of American Legion Boys Nation 2023! | |
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American Legion Boys Nation
Braylin Broussard, President Pro-Tempore
Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government.
At the event, each delegate acts as a senator from his Boys State. The young lawmakers caucus at the beginning of the session, then organize into committees and conduct hearings on bills submitted by program delegates.
Senators learn the proper method of handling bills, according to U.S. Senate rules. Participation in the political process is emphasized throughout the week, including organization of party conventions and nominating and electing a president and vice president.
This past July, Louisiana American Legion Boys Nation Senator Braylin Broussard was elected as their 2023 President Pro-Tempore.
Since Boys Nation began in 1946, a number of its graduates have been elected to public office, including presidents, congressmen, state governors and state legislators. Many others have been inspired to work for the campaigns of individuals seeking public office.
Information for this article was extracted directly from www.legion.org/about.
To watch the video of Braylin's election, click on the following link: Louisiana American Legion Boys Nation senator elected president pro tempore - YouTube
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Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program 2023-2024
Kicked Off with an Opening Retreat in August
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2023-2024 BHYLP Students in a Team Building Exercise at Vermilionville | | |
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The Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program (BHYLP) second cohort kicked off the 2023-2024 session with an opening retreat at Vermilionville in Lafayette on Monday, August 7th.
The focus for the day was on Teamwork, Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Servant-Leadership. The session was led by BHYLP Chairman Jerry Lynn and facilitated by Sarah Mary Toce-Donlon with LEAD Professionals Group.
"This was one of the most engaged group of young people I have ever seen!" said program
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Chairman Jerry Lynn, "Their participation and inquisitiveness was amazing today!" Indeed, this group of young leaders seemed to relish and excel in the team building exercises, which showed them the importance of a cohesive group. Each exercise was fun and engaging but also required critical thinking and the ability to utilize each other's strengths to reach a common goal. The students were then allowed to deconstruct the experience by forming opinions on why some things worked and others didn't.
The day was rounded out with a panel discussion on servant-leadership and followed by the panelists fielding questions about their leadership roles in the community. Panelist for the day were:
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Keesha B. Buteau, Founder, Beacon of Light
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Blythe Castille, University of Louisiana at Lafayette student and intern at LEDA.
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Chuck LaGrange, Executive Director of The Stuller Family Foundation.
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Mandi Mitchell, CEcD, President & CEO of Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA)
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Stacy Romero, IOM, President & CEO of the Broussard Chamber of Commerce
The Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program is a 9-month course offered each year to Lafayette Parish area high school juniors. More than 70 students applied for the 30 available seats. The class is scheduled to meet again On September 18th for First Responders Day.
To learn more about the Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program, visit www.broussardchamberfoundation.org/brent-henley or follow the Foundation and BHYLP on their respective Facebook pages.
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BHYLP Opening Retreat Panelist, Mandi Mitchell, CEcD, President & CEO
of Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA)
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Thank You, Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program 2023-2024 Sponsors!
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BHYLP Sponsorship Opportunities Are Still Available!
To learn more about BHYLP or to sponsor the upcoming 2023-2024 class, contact Jody Soileau at 337-837-6001 or email [email protected].
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Support Broussard Chamber Foundation Programming by Purchasing Tickets in Our Raffle! You May Be the Lucky Winner of Some Great Prizes! | |
The prize drawings will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the Broussard Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. You do not need to be present to win. To get more details on the prizes and to purchase raffle tickets, click the link below or visit: www.broussardchamberfoundation.org/vacation | |
Lemonade Day Acadiana
The Broussard Chamber Foundation’s 2nd annual Lemonade Day Acadiana event was held on Saturday, July 22nd and with great success! There were 24 lemonade stands on the map this year where customers could visit and see firsthand what these young entrepreneurs had to offer. Many of these adolescent purveyors diversified their menu with homemade or premade snacks to go along with their lemonades. Event Chairperson Natasha Bryan says she is amazed each year with the creativity and marketing concepts of the participants.
Lemonade Day Acadiana is the only franchise in the State, so there were actually 73 kids signed up for Lemonade Day this year from Lake Charles to New Orleans. Not every child that registers will set up the lemonade stand but most of them will complete the online curriculum. In fact, 87% of the registrants went through the full lesson plan.
The foremost objective of Lemonade Day is to empower youth to take ownership of their lives and become future productive members of society. Each child who registers receives access to the Lemonade Day curriculum that teaches them lessons like creating budgets, setting profit-making goals, serving customers, repaying investors, and giving back to the community. Along the way, they acquire skills in goal setting, problem solving, and gain self-esteem critical for future success. They keep all the money they make and are encouraged to spend some, save some, and share some. And an astounding 100% of the stand operators gave a portion of their proceeds to charity!
While it’s free for the children to participate, the program relies on sponsors and donations to fund the event. Funds are used for the cost of curriculum materials and for assisting with start-up costs for the children’s new businesses. Any remaining funds are held for future Lemonade Day Acadiana events.
To become a sponsor of Lemonade Day Acadiana 2024 or to donate, go to www.broussardchamberfoundation.org/lemonade. You may also email Jody Soileau at [email protected].
Program sponsorships and donations are fully tax-deductible through the Broussard Chamber Foundation. To learn more about the Broussard Chamber Foundation, please visit our website at www.broussardchamberfoundation.org.
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Check Out This Lemonade Day Acadiana 2023 Recap provided by Rooted Consulting | |
Thank You, Lemonade Day Acadiana
2023 Sponsors!
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Raising Cane's #066 of Broussard Sponsors
The 2023-2024 Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program
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For the 2nd year, Raising Cane's #066 in Broussard has graciously awarded $1,000 to sponsor the Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program. Raising Cane's has been tremendously supportive of the Broussard Chamber Foundation initiatives, having also sponsored Lemonade Day Acadiana in both 2022 and 2023. They have One Love of chicken fingers, but Raising Cane's also has a whole lot of love and generosity for the communities they serve.
Also returning as sponsors for BHYLP this year are The Martial F. Billeaud, Sr. Foundation and SLEMCO.
To learn more about BHYLP, to donate, or to sponsor the 2023-2024 class, click the link below or contact Jody Soileau at 337-837-6001 or email [email protected].
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Jerry Daigrepont, Restaurant Leader at Raising Cane's #066 of Broussard (left), presents a $1,000 sponsorship to BCF for the 2023-2024 Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program. | |
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Broussard Chamber Foundation
Founding Members
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The Broussard Chamber Foundation (BCF) is poised for great community partnerships, with pillars centered around education, leadership, and economic and cultural development. Our Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program is a proven winner, graduating its inaugural cohort of young, emerging, Lafayette Parish leaders in April 2023, and with the 2023-2024 Class already underway.
Support our mission. Become a BCF Founding Member like these individuals have already done. Making a one-time investment at the Patron Level or higher will earn you this Founding Member designation in perpetuity. Learn more at www.broussardchamberfoundation.org.
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For more information, contact Jody Soileau by phone at 337-837-6001
or by email at [email protected].
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Stacy Romero, President
BCF Board of Directors
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Jody Soileau
BCF Development Director
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Follow our Facebook Page and be the first to know what's happening with the Brent Henley Youth Leadership Program or with any of our other initiatives.
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Call, stop in for a visit, find us online, or connect via social media!
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The Broussard Chamber Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit | | | | |
