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Vermilion Historical Society |
Margaret Chauvin Steen
Villemez is 2003
Pioneer of the Year
September 27, 2003—The prestigious Pioneer of the Year award given by the Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance this year went to Margaret Chauvin Steen Villemez at an award banquet held tonight at Magdalen Place in Abbeville. A capacity crowd was on hand to take in the event. After the parade of the colors, the pledge of allegiance, and a magnificent and unforgettable rendition of the National Anthem by Francis LeBlanc, choir director of Abbeville High School, the invocation was given by Father Donald Theriot, lifelong friend of the honoree. Local attorney Charles Sonnier served ably as master of ceremonies for the evening. After a delicious repast served by Bobby and Dot's Catering, the ceremonies began. First was the life of the honoree presented as a PowerPoint presentation created by Don Chauvin of Facts Five, which the crowd very much enjoyed. Margaret's daughter "Sis" Steen Wunsch then took the podium to reminisce about growing up with her dynamic and energetic mother, and about the valuable lessons of public service that she and her brother, Wesley, had learned from her mother. Linda Hardee, daughter-in-law of the late Grace Hardee, a lifelong friend of the honoree, then gave some hilarious recollections of her experiences with the guest of honor, and spoke about the extraordinary musical talent of the recipient. One of the honoree's granddaughters then took the microphone and gave an extemporaneous, heartfelt, and loving tribute to her grandmother. Stan Hardee, Linda's husband, then added his words of tribute to those of his wife. James Prince, president of the UL Foundation, thanked Margaret for her contributions to education at UL in the form of professorships and scholarships and at Abbeville High School in the form of scholarships, and for her long service as a board member on the UL Foundation. Alliance board member Lloyd Doré III paid tribute to the honoree for always being there when something cultural was taking place, such as the formation of the Vermilion Arts Council or the Vermilion Historical Society. Abbeville councilwoman Pam Gaspard represented the city and thanked Margaret for all she had done to promote the arts, history, culture, and education by presenting to her a key to the city. Ed Stephens, Executive Director of the Evangeline Area Boy Scouts, thanked Margaret for her longstanding and continuing support of the Boy Scouts, going all the way back to the donation and maintenance of Camp Steen north of Abbeville. Alliance board member Russell Gaspard then spoke about how this Pioneer of the Year event was an outgrowth of a similar event created by Margaret many years ago to raise money for the Boy Scouts. He then presented Margaret with the plaque as Pioneer of the Year 2003. Margaret gave a touching response in which she tried unsuccessfully to persuade everyone that it was others besides herself who deserved the credit for everything that she had accomplished. Alliance board member Gary Theall then gave the final toast, borrowing from words written in 1881 by Eugene Isidore Addison, editor of the Meridional newspaper, "May your days be many and long, and full of joy and happiness, and may each moment thereof be as bright as the bead in the glass that we on this day quaff to your health!" Alliance President Ronney Mayard then gave the closing remarks, and the crowd reluctantly disbanded, having thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful and professional tribute to one of the worthiest humanitarians Vermilion Parish has ever known.
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