January 2024

Rayne Garden Club holds Arbor Day program at Rayne High

RAYNE - Delayed a week due to inclement weather, the Rayne Garden Club hosted a morning Arbor Day program on Friday, Jan. 26, at Rayne High School.
The 2024 “Remembrance” program/donation was held in memory of deceased members of the Rayne Garden Club.
Donated were three magnolia trees to replace three lost to last summer’s drought and extreme hot temperatures experienced throughout this area.
The new trees were donated by:
• Rayne Garden Club in remembrance of deceased RGC members, especially the late Antonia Hoffpauir who passed on since last year’s program;
• Event Chairman Desiree Casey in remembrance of her aunt, Miss Irene Petitjean, long-time charter RGC member who also served as principal at the school; and
• The Bear family of Rayne in remembrance of the late Max Baer, a RHS graduate and life-long supporter of Rayne High School.
Students of the school’s FFA program were also in attendance as they will complete the club donation by planting the trees.
RHS Principal Benny Fontenot, joined by Superintendent Scott Richard and other School Board members, thanked the club for the continued support of the school. The original plants and trees that surround the school grounds today were donated to the school in the mid-1900s by the charter members of the Rayne Garden Club, including Miss Irene M. Petitjean, long-time teacher who also served as Rayne High principal during World War II.
Fontenot has also announced other plans for the school grounds, including the planting of additional oak trees, trimming and shaping of existing trees and shrubs, and additional flowerbeds.
In addition to Miss Irene Petitjean and Antonia Hoffpauir who were remembered during the program, other Rayne Garden Club members who have passed on were also acknowledged during the program.

Members of the Rayne Garden Club were joined by members of the Rayne High School FFA program and special guests during the 2024 Arbor Day program held near the school’s front arches. Among those in attendance were, kneeling from left, FFA officer team treasurer Ben Dupre, reporter Keagan Ardoin, sentinel Hunter Doucet, vice president Kobe Stakes, secretary Harlee Doucet and president Chloe Bourque; standing front row, guest Calise Breaux, RGC members Julia Breaux, Judy Guidry, Becky Servat and Margaret Comeaux, Acadia Parish School Board member Becky Atkinson, RGC President Lisa Soielaux, RGC members Carol Trahan and Martha Pierret, RGC Chairman Desiree Casey and RHS Principal Benny Fontenot. In attendance but not pictured was Acadia Parish Superintendent Scott Richard.

Rayne Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux, center, presents a proclamation proclaiming Arbor Day for the 2024 observation in the City of Rayne hosted by the Rayne Garden Club. Accepting the proclamation were Arbor Day Chairman Desiree Casey, left, and Rayne Garden Club President Lisa Soileaux. The Rayne Garden Club hosted a tree dedication on Friday, Jan. 26, at Rayne High School when three magnolias were donated to replace those lost to last summer’s drought and extreme heat.