The JA Slidell Annual Wine & Cheese Reception to welcome the new Provisional members was hosted by Ann Mannella and organized by Membership Committee Chairs Lisha Bonson and Cassie Baker. We are excited to have Ann Tassin, Tracy Ducre, Megan Brown, and Sheila Guthrie join us in our community service projects and initiatives!
JA Slidell Active and Life/Associate members attended the NAJA Area Meeting in Hattiesburg, MS on August 12, 2017 to combine talents, expertise, and knowledge with other NAJA member chapters to brainstorm and learn ways to improve and further grow our service efforts within our respective communities. Pictured here are attendees from JAS – front row: Tanya Le Gaux Encalarde, Lori Aucoin, Hilary Toups; back row: Sandra Chavers, Barbara Murphy, Andrea Quave, Judy Heimbuck, Jeanne Hildebrandt, Deb Jones, Mary Gilmore, Gladys Lopez.
We love our Corporate Sponsors! Without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish the work that we do. Thank you Mike Moore for your support!
The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc., has selected Jennifer Anti of Slidell, LA as a recipient of a graduate scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year. Jennifer will attend William Carey University, Biloxi, MS where she will begin work on the Master Degree in Dyslexia Therapy. Jennifer has previously earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Millsaps College, Jackson, MS.
Jennifer has been working as a kindergarten teacher at Florida Avenue, since 2012. Jennifer has served in the following committees: St.Tammany Parish School Board LEAD Academy (2016-2017), PBIS committee (since 2015), where she helped redesign the current school wide behavior program at Florida Avenue Elementary, and is currently serving on the Relay for Life team for Florida Avenue Elementary. Jennifer is involved in several community service organizations including being a life member for the Junior Auxiliary of Slidell, Chairperson for Literacy Liaison and Backpack 4 kids for Junior Auxiliary of Slidell (from 2010- 2015), Kappa Delta Pi Board member for Blessings in a Backpack at Southeastern University, and Wedding Coordinator of First United Methodist Church in Slidell, LA. Jennifer has lived in Slidell since 1985. She has been married to Damian Anti for 18 years and she has two daughters, MollieAnn (11) and MaryGrace (2).
Beginning in 1962, the NAJA Graduate Scholarship Program has awarded 542 grants totaling almost $1,268,504. Awards are given to persons pursuing graduate level studies in fields which address the special needs of children and youth. Graduate fields of study include, but are not limited to, counseling, psychology, mental development, special education, speech pathology, exceptional children, remedial skills development, hearing impaired, and gifted and talented. Scholarships are not awarded for graduate work in administrative or general education.
Award recipients may attend the U.S. college or university of their choice. Applicants must be a permanent U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of states with chapters of nonprofit Junior Auxiliary. Those states are Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, and Missouri.
Junior Auxiliary is an organization dedicated to rendering charitable services beneficial to the general public, with particular emphasis on children. The primary purpose of the scholarship program is to present a gift to the children who utimately benefit from the advance schooling of the NAJA Scholarship recipient.
The NAJA Graduate Scholarship program is supported by contributions from Junior Auxiliary Chapters, the National Association, and memorials and honorary gifts from individuals and groups. Information about the scholarships is available ONLY from the NAJA website at www.najanet.org from September 1 to February 1.
Sandra Chavers (JAS Class of 2011) has been appointed to be a Chapter Support Coordinator for Region VI which includes the Slidell Chapter. Sandra has served as an Active member of JAS and logged hundreds of service hours working on several projects the past five years as well as serve on the JAS Board. Now as an Associate member she continues to serve on the national level working with other chapters to help them continually improve. JAS would like to congratulate Sandra and wish her well as she embarks on this new endeavor.
Deb Jones and Judy Heimbuck attended the Chamber’s Women in Business Luncheon. Chrissy Miller gave an inspiring talk entitled P.I.E. which represented PASSION, INFLUENCE AND EMPOWERMENT. Have passion for what you do. Use your influence to make a positive difference. Empower others to get the job done and give them the credit. In the end make a traceable imprint to make a difference. It was a beautiful day on the bayou.
May 5th and 6th JAS members enjoyed an educational and fun weekend in Memphis celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the National Association of Junior Auxiliary (NAJA). Outgoing President Jeanne Hildebrandt opened the conference with a welcome address.
Our first speaker was country singer/song writer Jimmy Wayne who wrote “Do You Believe Me Now”. Besides singing for us he shared his story about coming up through the foster care system and the people who influenced his life the most. After becoming successful he walked from Nashville to Phoenix in 2010 to help raise awareness for kids who age out of the foster system and become homeless. He has authored his memoir, Walk to Beautiful, and written a novel and made-for-TV movie, Paper Angels.
Several other speakers covered cyber safety, working with different personalities, cyber bullying, growing leaders and serving without burnout.
The awards banquet included the Parade of Presidents, Presentation of Roses to all past and present chapter presidents, entertainment from Elvis, award presentations and the installation of the 2017-18 NAJA Board of Directors and Incoming President Charlotte Jones.
After the banquet an after party and reception for Jeanne Hildebrandt was hosted by the Slidell Chapter. Make plans to attend next year in Mobile, AL on April 27-28 at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel – Mobile Convention Center.
Members of Junior Auxiliary traveled to Baton Rouge as special guests of Senator Sharon Hewitt. They enjoyed a tour of the capitol, lunch with Senator Hewitt and a walk to see the Capitol Park Museum. Later in the afternoon members attended the senate session at which time Senator Hewitt read a resolution recognizing Junior Auxiliary Week and commending Junior Auxiliary of Slidell for 51 years of service to the greater Slidell area through the many projects designed to meet the needs of the community. Special thanks to Senator Hewitt for an extraordinary day. L-R: Judy Heimbuck, Becky Rampon, Sandra Chavers, Barbara Gravois, Jeanne Hildebrandt, Senator Sharon Hewitt and Deb Jones.
