ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
The Vandebilt Catholic Alumnus of the Year award was founded to honor those with outstanding achievements, accomplishments, service and/or dedication to the school. In 2022, the school adopted a new nomination and selection process to further preserve, strengthen, and honor Vandebilt Catholic. The hope is that those selected as alumnus/a of the year will provide current students, staff, and community members with positive examples of the best that Vandebilt Catholic has to offer.
The Alumnus of the Year Award is given to a St. Francis de Sales High School, Houma Central Catholic High, or Vandebilt Catholic High School graduate who, through their outstanding achievements in their spiritual, professional, and civic life, have brought honor to themselves and Vandebilt Catholic, and whose contributions have had a broad and positive impact on others.
Nominations are now being accepted until Friday, March 8, 2024 for the Vandebilt Catholic Alumnus or Alumnae of the Year. (Nominee requirements and details about the nomination process can be found on the linked form below.)
2023 ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
On June 2, 2023, during the VCHS President's Banquet, Mr. Tanner Magee was honored as our 2023 Alumnus of the Year.
Mr. Tanner Magee was born and raised in Houma, LA. While in high school at Vandebilt Catholic, Tanner was Sophomore Class President, Latin Club President, and was also a member of the first VCHS Quiz Bowl team to win a state championship. He also won the Father Finnegan (School Spirit) award his senior year. After graduating from VCHS in 1998, Tanner attended Louisiana State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Public Administration. He briefly worked in public regional planning before returning to Louisiana State University to earn his J.D. at LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law School. Tanner was recognized for his oral advocacy when he was selected to the Moot Court Board.
In 2015, Tanner was elected to serve as District 53 State Representative. He was re-elected unopposed four years later, and his colleagues chose to unanimously elevate him to the number two leadership role in the House as Speaker Pro-Tempore.
The Southwest Chamber of Louisiana named Tanner as the Rising Star legislator during his first term. He was then named Legislator of the Year in consecutive years. He also received the Rising Star Award from Super Lawyer Magazine several years in a row. Tanner also received the Rodel Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, which is one of the most esteemed recognitions in politics. Only three politicians from Louisiana have ever been invited and he is the only Republican.
He has spent his legislative career advocating for fiscal conservatism, critical reforms to Louisiana’s tax code, and reforming Louisiana’s criminal justice system to decrease violent crime and protect Louisiana’s families and communities. Additionally, Tanner secured unprecedented levels of funding for infrastructure and coastal restoration projects across South Louisiana.
Tanner has an accomplished legal career with over a decade of courtroom experience. As a member of the Louisiana Judicial College, he serves as a presenter who informs judges of all levels on updates to Louisiana’s legal code.
Tanner and his wife, Kristen Balhoff Magee, have triplets, Julia, Grace, and Kate who are currently freshman at VCHS. Tanner and his family are parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. He also serves on the VCHS Consultative School Board, where he recently spearheaded the school safety committee. Outside of work, Tanner and his wife can usually be found at sporting events for their girls.
ALUM OF THE YEAR - PAST RECIPIENTS
| Year and Name |
|---|
| 1977 Mr. Conrad Picou, Jr. ’60 |
| 1978 Mr. David Keife ’67 |
| 1979 Mr. Peter Broussard ’60 |
| 1980 Dr. Bobby Haydel ’57 |
| 1981 Mr. Ray Marcello ’40 |
| 1982 Mr. Ronnie Haydel ’54 |
| 1983 Mr. Lou Gehrig Burnett ’59 |
| 1984 Mr. John Schoonenberg ’68 |
| 1985 Dr. Dickey Haydel ’61 |
| 1992 Judge J. Louis Watkins, Jr. ’45 |
| 1993 Mr. Martin Folse ’78 |
| 1994 Dr. Walter Benoit Comeaux, Jr. ’39 |
| 1995 Dr. Connie Lirette Casente, RN ’58 |
| 1996 Ms. Leslie Johnson Van Osdale ’56 |
| 1997 Rev. Msgr. Philip Whitney ’39 |
| 1998 Ms. Glenny Lee Castagnos Buquet ’54 |
| 1999 Mr. Eddie Pullaro ’61 |
| 2000 Ms. Tracy Duplantis ’23 |
| 2001 Ms. Marian Hamilton ’72 |
| Year and Name |
|---|
| 2002 Mrs. Shirley Rome Watkins ’45 |
| 2003 Mr. Leslie Daigle ’53 |
| 2004 Judge Randy Bethancourt ’71, Mr. Ken Watkins ’47 |
| 2005 Dr. Ann Barker ’55 |
| 2006 Fr. Jay Baker ’79 |
| 2007 Dr. Leo Hebert ’58 |
| 2008 Mrs. Alexis and Mr. Berwick Duval ’73 |
| 2009 Dr. John “Jay” Clune ’82 |
| 2010 Rev. Glenn LeCompte ’76 |
| 2011 Dr. Michelle Simon ’82 |
| 2012 Mrs. Phyllis Peoples ’80 |
| 2013 Mrs. Laurie Calhoun Robichaux ’84 |
| 2014 Mr. Philip “Phe” McMahon ’83 |
| 2015 Father André Melancon ’02 |
| 2016 Mr. Robért LeBlanc ‘95 |
| 2017 Sister Renee Daigle '81 |
| 2018 Mrs. Kerry Clune Diebold '86 |
| 2019 Mr. Steven Crispino '84 |
| 2020 Brother Barry Landry S.C. '83 |
| 2021 Mr. Logan "Hank" Babin, III '88 |
| 2022 Dr. David Fakier '78 & Mrs. Laura Fakier '78 |
| 2023 Mr. Tanner Magee '98 |
The mission of Vandebilt Catholic High School is to provide students with a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention, and committed to academic excellence.
VANDEBILT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
209 South Hollywood Road
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 876-2551
