Vermilion 4-H Achievement Day dedicated to Michelle Gaspard

The 2023 Vermilion Parish 4-H Achievement Day, held on Saturday, March 18, honored Michelle Gaspard.
Gaspard began her 4-H journey in 1980 as a young 4-H member in the Kaplan Elementary club. She was an active member throughout high school where she served as President of the Vermilion 4-H Executive Committee. She earned numerous awards including the National Engineering trip to Virginia and the coveted National 4-H Congress trip to Chicago, Illinois.
When she married and had children, she knew she wanted her children to be part of the 4-H program and have opportunities she experienced. She quickly became a very valuable parent volunteer leader within both the school and parish 4-H program. She got involved in all aspects of the organization and was invited to serve on the Parish 4-H Advisory Committee. Her leadership skills were evident from the beginning of her involvement. She has
continued her service to the program even though her children have graduated. She currently serves on the Vermilion Parish 4-H Foundation Board, the LSU AgCenter Overall Advisory Leadership Board, the Southwest Region 4-H Leader Committee and is the current chair of the Parish 4-H Advisory Committee.
Throughout her tenure as a leader, Michelle has been an asset to the program and has played an integral role in major 4-H events including Personal Development Interview Contest, Achievement Day, Record Book Contests and the Jr. Leader club. She has devoted her time and energy through the years to chaperone events including Jr. Leader educational trips all over the country, Marsh Maneuvers, the National Poultry & Egg Conference in Louisville, State 4-H University, Citizenship Washington Focus in D.C. and the National Beef Ambassador Contest in Ohio and California.
As a 4-H Foundation Board member, she was on the team that conducted the annual sporting clay shoot fundraiser which generated over $140,000 for the 4-H program over it’s 10 year span. She also worked tirelessly with the Jr. Leader club’s annual service-learning projects which covered topics ranging from hunger awareness to safe driving.
She has been married to Marshall Gaspard for 30 years and together they raised three sons - Austin, Adam, and Ashton. All three were active 4-H members and enjoyed much success throughout their 4-H careers.
In addition to volunteering with the 4-H program, Michelle also served as a parent volunteer for the Beta club, scouts, RRMS & KHS sports and served as co-chair of Project Graduation. Her dedication to the youth of the community is unmatched and inspirational.
In reflecting on the 4-H program, she responds, “I don’t know life without 4-H. I love seeing our youth grow and make positive changes in their lives. This, to me, is the most rewarding aspect of volunteering with 4-H.”
In recognition of her lifetime dedication to the 4-H Youth Development Program, Michelle will be inducted into the State 4-H Hall of Fame this fall. She is a true “friend of 4-H” and her efforts have undoubtedly made the best better!