Meraux Foundation Supports St. Bernard Scholars

Sixty Scholarships Awarded and Donation Made to Student Arts Program

The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation announced it has awarded 60 scholarships to class of 2015 high school students from St. Bernard Parish to pursue post secondary studies. The Foundation awarded 50 scholarships based on academic achievement, four based on artistic accomplishment, and six for vocational school. This year’s scholarships brings the grand total of Meraux Foundation scholarships to more than 600 awards valued at some $1.7 million.

“Providing assistance to St. Bernard’s young people is an important investment in the future of our community. We know that supporting today’s students is helping to prepare tomorrow’s leaders,” said Rita Gue, the president of the Meraux Foundation.

The Meraux Foundation also awarded a grant to the St. Bernard Performing Arts Academy for its summer program. This marks the Foundation’s fifth year of support for the world-class student theater program. The Meraux Foundation originally donated a $1.8 million dollar grant to help in the construction of the Cultural Arts Center of Chalmette High School where the performances take place.

“Five years ago, when the Cultural Arts Center of Chalmette High School was complete and we still needed funding for the summer program, Ms. Rita and the Meraux Foundation stepped up yet again to help the show go on! The Meraux Foundation’s support since then has not only helped keep this program alive, but expand,” said Charles Cassar, coordinator of cultural arts for St. Bernard Parish Schools.

This year’s summer program production “Shrek The Musical” can be seen June 25-28 and July 2-3. For performance times and tickets, please call Robin Calecas at 504-272-0302.

Meraux Foundation 2015 Academic Scholars:

• Matthew Agosto

• Casi Allums

• Kayla Bartholomew

• Evan Bass

• Austin Bergeron

• Coral Bowman

• Brittany Calecas

• Dante’ Cash

• Adrienne Connelly

• Lauren Crain

• Jonathan Cuccia

• Don Dam

• Tram Dang

• Chase Dembrun

• Emily Fernandez

• Devyn Gerrick

• Gabrielle Glapion

• Gabrielle Hauck

• Victoria Hopper

• Eric Hume

• Emily Jones

• Bridgette Karcher

• Brittany Karcher

• Zeke Keirsey

• Kyle Kenney

• Michaela Kramer

• Connor Lambert

• Penny Le

• Travis Loescher

• Stephen Lopez

• Deandranae Major

• Gabrielle Maldonado

• Jenna Miserendino

• Li Nguyen

• Cody Nussbaum

• Bryce Orduna

• Shaye Patton

• Joshua Quintana

• Danielle Raphael

• Joleen Rivera Dacula

• Haneen Sahli

• Austin Schilling-Stumpner

• Brianna Sims

• Nikki Stone

• Patrick Strain

• Quentin Toruno

• Ashley Vu

• Morgan Warner

• William Wei

• Ryan Youngs

Meraux Foundation 2015 Arts Scholars:

• Caroline Boudreaux

• Vieta Collins

• Elizabeth Esposito

• Kelsea Glorioso

Meraux Foundation 2015 Vocational Scholars:

• Tina Crafts

• Katelyn Gab

• Hilmi Hussein

• Whitney Simon

• Harleigh Taylor

• Ly-Ann Truong

About the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation
The Meraux Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established by Arlene Meraux to benefit the community of St. Bernard Parish by leveraging its landholdings. Today, the Foundation’s board of directors is presided over by Arlene’s niece, Rita Gue, and members Floyd Gue, Bill Haines, Chris Haines, and Sidney Torres, III. Guided by Arlene’s vision, the Board is implementing an innovative strategy to create lasting change and build a better St. Bernard.