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.
