Two attend French Club convention in Baton Rouge

Two students from LSMSA attended the ALCFES French Club convention held March 2-4 in Baton Rouge.

The students were Colt Crain, a junior from Zachary, and Edouard Ferrell, a senior from Natchitoches.

They visited the Old State Capitol, where they learned about the Merci Train, a train of 49 French railroad boxcars (one for each American state at the time) filled with gifts from the French people, presented to the United States in gratitude for the help given to France by the American people during the Second World War.

A Francophone Rally introduced students to various Francophone countries, and a Cajun band gave them the opportunity to practice their dance moves.

The two also participated in various competitions.

Ferrell won a full scholarship to a five-week total immersion program in Quebec, Canada. He will attend classes at the Centre Linguistique du College de Jonquiere from July 3 to Aug. 3. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board with a host family and cultural activities.

The ALCFES is an association of high schools in Louisiana dedicated to the education, preservation and celebration of French in the state.

The association works closely with CODOFIL, the Office of Francophone Affaires for the State of Louisiana. CODOFIL’s mission is to work toward the creation of an eco-system that permits the development of French in the economic, educational, cultural and professional sectors and in which Louisiana’s French and Creole speakers are valorized in their cultural and linguistic identity.

For more than 30 years, ALCFES has hosted a Congre֨s des Etudiants in different cities around the state to gather students of all levels in a public celebration of French and French learning.

Les congre֨s are student created and student led with the focus on creating an atmosphere where French language skills and Francophone culture can be showcased and experienced.