New park ranger outlines plans

New Prairie Acadian Cultural Center park ranger Angelle Bellard hopes to use her prior experience as an education coordinator to build on the foundation of her work predecessors.
“Next summer, I hope to have new and improved camps – that is where my expertise comes into play,” Bellard said “The camps will be for ages four through high school. I want them to build on what they are learning about Louisiana and Cajun culture in school.”
“Claudia (Wood) and Vincent (Fontenot) left me a wonderful foundation for me to build on. I want to make the center the best it can possibly be.”
Bellard was recently hired after Wood and Fontenot both retired earlier this summer, and she is currently the only full-time employee at the center. Bellard is originally from form Swords, and she is a graduate of St. Edmund. High School. Bellard previously worked as an education coordinator for Faith House.
“I jumped on this job opportunity,” Bellard said. “We represent tourism like nobody else. I’m very happy to be on board in an executive position.”
In addition to camps, Bellard is also planning to “adopt” a fourth grade class from an at-risk school, bring back cooking demonstrations and host a Cajun French immersion class for all ages.
“We need to grab onto the Cajun culture and the language especially,” Bellard added.
Bellard said she would also like to form partnerships with anyone who would like to work with the center.
“If you have an ideas for center, please stop and let me know,” she said. “I will give them consideration and send them up the red tape. We are here for Eunice just as Eunice is here for us.”
“I want people to be interested in using the center.”