On Friday, June 2, Vandebilt Catholic High School hosted the third annual President’s Banquet in the Kolb center on campus. Jeremy Gueldner, VCHS president, presented awards for Distinguished Service and Hall of Fame. Doug Hamilton, VCHS Director of Advancement and Alumni presented the award for Alumni of the Year. Guests included VCHS administration and faculty, Diocesan officials, Brothers of the Sacred Heart leaders, family, friends, supporters, and past Alumni of the Year and past Hall of Fame inductees.

The 2023 Distinguished Service Award were presented to Mrs. Valerie Badeaux and Mrs. Colleen Welch. This award recognizes individuals who quietly work to help VCHS recognize its mission through volunteer work at the school. 

Valerie Weber Badeaux was born in Shreveport, LA and grew up in Many, LA. She attended Many High School, before attending Northwestern State University and Loyola University. She relocated to Galliano, LA in November of 1999 after marrying her husband Scott.   

Valerie spent twenty years as a paid employee of the Catholic Church, holding various positions including Director of Religious Education, Parish Secretary, Youth Minister, and Pastoral Associate. When Valerie’s son, Cameron, began Pre-K 4 at Holy Rosary Catholic School, she was asked to help with a school project and that’s where she discovered the need for volunteers in Catholic schools and felt compelled to give back.

For the past 14 years, Valerie took her experience in church ministry and dedicated her time to volunteering at both Holy Rosary Catholic School and then Vandebilt Catholic. While her son attended Holy Rosary Catholic School, Valerie helped in the library and as a substitute. She was also a member of the Advisory Committee, a Classroom Representative Co-Coordinator, and Hawk Parent Club Co-Coordinator. She was committee chairperson for a number of events such as Glow in the Dark Fun Run, Fall Fun Day, Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Fest, and Vocation Awareness Week, just to name a few.

When Cameron started at Vandebilt Catholic, Valerie served as a test reader, and has volunteered her time as a substitute teacher, sometimes weeks at a time, for the last four years. She was also a member of the Mothers’ Club and served at events such as Grandparents Day, senior breakfast, and donut and king cake sales after school Masses. At VCHS, she is loved by students and faculty, alike. Her hope was always that her volunteer efforts on campus assisted in promoting the mission of Catholic schools and she is a shining example of service to all when on campus.

Valerie has been married to her husband Scott for 24 years. Their son, Cameron graduated from VCHS this year with the class of 2023. When not volunteering at school, Valerie enjoys camping with family and friends.

Colleen Dupuis Welch is a native of Breaux Bridge, LA and has been a resident of Houma for the past 29 years. After graduating from Breaux Bridge High School, Colleen obtained two degrees, one from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Math Education and one from University of New Orleans with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. During her career, Colleen was a teacher at Breaux Bridge High School and Terrebonne High School, as well as an accounting assistant at Houma Armature Works. She is now a stay-at-home mom, who has dedicated her time to volunteer work. 

Colleen has spent close to ten years volunteering at Vandebilt Catholic, either through Mothers’ Club, Terrier Club, or helping at school-wide events such as Terrier Tailgate. She most recently managed the Mothers’s Club Shoppe, where she designed, ordered, and fulfilled online orders, and sold merchandise at football games and during school lunches. She has always lended a helping hand at events such as senior breakfast, teacher appreciation week, donut and king cake sales after school Masses, and handing out photo cards for Grandparents Day. 



Colleen also contributed to the Terrier Club by volunteering for the annual golf tournament, processing Terrier Club passes, and helping out in the hospitality tent at football games. On Wednesdays, you could also find Colleen in the Chapel for weekly adoration, as her faith is something to be admired. 

Colleen has been married to her husband, Mark for 30 years and they have two children, Alex, 2018 VCHS graduate and Ryan, 2023 VCHS graduate. When she’s not volunteering at school, Colleen enjoys tennis, exercising, and attends regular Bible studies.

READ MORE on the Alumni of the Year Award and full list of Past Recipients.



2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

Mrs. Patrice Monier accepts the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction award.

Mrs. Patrice Gauslin Monier is a native of New Orleans, and after attending parochial grammar schools there, she graduated from Riverdale High School in 1973. Patrice graduated in 1977 from Nicholls State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Math Education and a minor in English. While a student at Nicholls, she met her future husband, Philip Monier, Jr. of Raceland and they married in her final year of college. He too was an educator, who retired from the public-school system after working with special needs children. READ FULL BIO HERE.

Mr. Heinke Trapp '81 accepted the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction award.

Heinke Trapp was born in Gretna, LA to Heinke and Audrey Trapp. A few years later, his family moved to Houma and he attended St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School. He continued his education at Vandebilt Catholic and graduated in 1981. From there, he attended Louisiana State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Social Sciences in 1986. READ FULL BIO HERE.

Mrs. Phyllis Peoples '80 accepts the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction award.

Mrs. Phyllis LeBlanc Peoples was born in Franklin, LA, but raised in Houma, LA. She attended Vandebilt Catholic and graduated in 1980. She then attended the University of Southwest Louisiana, graduating with a nursing degree in 1985. During the next decade, Phyllis married her husband, Michael and they had their first child. She worked as a critical-care nurse in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and then she and her family moved to Georgia. During that time, Phyllis earned a Master of Science degree with specializations in administration and education from Valdosta State University, in Valdosta, GA. READ FULL BIO HERE. 

Read more on the Hall of Fame Induction award and full list of Past Recipients.