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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 184
BY SENATOR PERRY
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Timala "Ms. Timmie" Melancon for receiving a 2012
Image Award from the LAE, her outstanding teaching career and many years of exemplary
service, and her lasting contributions to public education in Vermilion Parish and Louisiana.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend and congratulate Timala "Timmie" Melancon for receiving a 2012 Image2
Award from the Louisiana Association of Educators, her outstanding teaching career3
and many years of exemplary service, and her lasting contributions to public4
education in Vermilion Parish and Louisiana upon the occasion of her retirement.5
WHEREAS, in May, 2012, the Louisiana Association of Educators presented Timala6
"Timmie" Melancon, teacher at Kaplan High School and coach of the school Speech and7
Drama Team, with an Image Award, which honors outstanding educators who have8
advanced the image of teachers, ESPs and administrators within Louisiana's public schools;9
and 10
WHEREAS, during the 2011-2012 school year, she was also selected as the High11
School Teacher of the Year in Vermilion Parish, marking the second time she had received12
the award, the first coming in 1995, and was also selected by the Louisiana High School13
Speech League as the 2011-2012 Speech Coach of the Year; and 14
WHEREAS, Timala Melancon, is a Gueydan native who graduated from Gueydan15
High School in 1971 and began pursuit of a degree in choreographic design at the University16
of Southwestern Louisiana; and 17
WHEREAS, after marrying and beginning a family, she returned to college and in18 SR NO. 184
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1982, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Education and, in 1996, earned1
a Master of Arts Degree in English allowing her to qualify to participate in Louisiana's Dual2
Enrollment Program; and 3
WHEREAS, the first four years of her teaching career were at Rene Rost Middle4
School, switching from eight to seventh grade reading; and 5
WHEREAS, in 1986 she transferred to Kaplan High School and during her6
twenty-five year employment there, taught a wide array of courses including English I, II,7
III and honors; Speech I, II, and III; Theatre I, II, III, and advanced; competition speech, and8
intervention; and 9
WHEREAS, in addition, for well over a decade, the name "Timmie Melancon" has10
been synonymous with the Kaplan High Speech and Drama Team which she created and11
developed; and 12
WHEREAS, her contributions to art and culture extends well beyond the classroom13
as she founded the Vermilion Players in 1996; and 14
WHEREAS, through and with her positive guidance, teaching, and coaching many15
formerly shy students became comfortable with speaking in front of an audience and16
opportunities were provided for young students to witness excellent and entertaining musical17
theatre featuring singing, acting, and dancing; and 18
WHEREAS, Timmie Melancon summarized her responsibility and goal as a teacher19
and a coach as follows: "It is my responsibility as an educator to prepare young people for20
life after they leave my campus, and that is where I become passionate. The most effective21
teaching tool for anyone is the use of humor and I can use humor 'like nobody's business.'22
Laughter is the key to life, and learning to laugh at one's self is a key to success and23
happiness. Once a student learns to enjoy life, I can begin to instill in him the tools he needs24
to be poised, articulate, and well spoken. I can teach any student to use their energy and25
enthusiasm to achieve any goal simply by making them believe that if they work hard26
enough, it has to happen."; and27
WHEREAS, Timmie Melancon is married to Lonnie Melancon and she has four28
sons: Ben and Jeff Suire, and Rod and Zach Melancon and the Melancon's also have five29
grandchildren. 30 SR NO. 184
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana1
does hereby commend Timala "Timmie" Melancon for receiving a 2012 Image Award from2
the Louisiana Association of Educators, her outstanding teaching career and many years of3
exemplary service, and her lasting contributions to public education in Vermilion Parish and4
Louisiana.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED best wishes are hereby extended for continued6
success and happiness in all of her future endeavors.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to8
Timala Melancon. 9
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Perry SR No. 184
Commends Timala "Timmie" Melancon for receiving a 2012 Image Award from the LAE,
her outstanding teaching career and many years of exemplary service, and her lasting
contributions to public education in Vermilion Parish and Louisiana.