BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor and Contributing Writer
Featured Photograph: St. Landry Parish School Board member Anthony Standberry presents Delores Standberry scholarships to Seth Lewis of Northwest High and Markell Richard of Opelousas High before the start of Thursday’s School Board meeting. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
St. Landry Parish School Board member Anthony Standberry has always believed in providing an initial financial push for high school seniors who might financially benefit.
In what has been a customary presentation ceremony since 2005, Standberry, a District 1 representative, Standberry presented two more seniors with scholarship money before the start of the Thursday regular Board meeting.
Seth Lewis of Northwest High and Markell Richard of Opelousas High, were each given $300 Delores Standberry Scholarship Awards by Standberry.
Normally Standberry would climb aboard his 1998 Harley Davidson along with other bike riders who would contribute donations that financed the scholarships with an annual motorcycle ride.
Due to COVID concerns, Standberry said he was financing the two scholarships awarded on Thursday with his own money.
“The last ride I had was in 2019. That’s been due to COVID. I didn’t want anyone to say I went on Standberry’s ride and then came back with COVID,” Standberry said on Friday.
The scholarships given to Richard and Lewis were the 64th since Standberry decided to help finance post-graduate education students who primarily want to enter technical fields.
Standberry said when he was growing up, his mother was adamant about working hard and getting an education. Those were lessons that he has carried with him throughout life,” said Standberry.
For 22 years Standberry held on to those beliefs he learned early in life. He taught vocational subjects in Lafayette Parish before retiring.
Since starting the scholarship initiative Standberry’s scholarships have averaged $500 to $300 each.
“I really haven’t sat down yet and added up how much all (the scholarships) have provided to these seniors. I just want to give them something and provide a little encouragement and go on and continue doing things well. I’ve always been pretty partial to vocational programs and I think most of the students who have received the Standberry Scholarship money have gone on and done well for themselves,” Standberry said.
