Merkel Dupuy selected as Avoyellean of the Year 2015

   For living a life dealing with  musical and theatrical performances, Merkel Dupuy has always tried to avoid the spotlight.

   This past Wednesday, his best efforts were for naught as he was surprised with being presented the Avoyellean of the Year Award for 2015.

Dupuy was lured to the Avoyelles Journal newspaper office on pretext for an interview on another issue. As friends and past award winners entered the room, he asked if they were going to be interviewed, too.

   When 2014 Avoyellean award winner Theresa Thevenote presented the plaque, Dupuy started to cry.

   “Oh, thank you,” he said. “These are tears of joy, I want to assure you.”

   Dupuy said receiving the Avoyellean of the Year honor “is the epitome of everything I have worked for.”

  He said he has always worked to benefit the community with no hope of recognition, but he said he would accept the honor and “continue the tradition” of the annual award.

Tradition is important, Dupuy said.

  “As someone once said, ‘Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.’”

  Dupuy then treated the crowd of well-wishers to a song from the musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.” He received a standing ovation.

  “I love the people of this parish so much,” Dupuy said.

  Long-time friend and colleague Kitty Melancon was among those who said the honor was both well-deserved and overdue.

  “He has been a great contributor to Avoyelles Parish and the Central Louisiana community for many years,” Melancon said. “He is a very humble person and very spiritually oriented. He has always been very generous with his tremendous gifts in music, in theater and in caring for humanity.”

   She said that even though the award is for one specific year, “it reaches back through the many years for his contributions to the community.”

   Melancon first became associated with Dupuy through the community theater and then through various chorale and music projects.

  “The man is a true genius,” she said of Dupuy. “In addition to everything he has done in the way of musical and theatrical achievements, he has been a great advocate for the under-privileged. He has gone into the prisons to work with prisoners through music and theater. Helping others has been a big part of his life. He is always looking for someone he can help.”

  As a teacher, Dupuy not only gave attention to his students and the gifted children in his care, but he would also go to the under-privileged and those students in detention, to try to lift them up and redirect their lives, Melancon added.

  Dupuy was a teacher and an evaluator for the state Gifted & Talented Program. He was also an instructor at the Alert School, the parish’s alternative school.

  When he was younger,  Dupuy had considered going to seminary and possibly entering the priesthood.

  Although he did not feel led to follow that calling, he served his church as organist for Sacred Heart and Christ the King Catholic churches. 

  Dupuy is the founder, president and director of the Moncla Community Theater. He is also the founder and president of the Moncla Mardi Gras Association and co-founder of Les Theatre de Bon Temps, having directed many of its productions. 

   Over the years he has directed several church choirs in the parish, currently serving as director of the Avoyelles Men’s Choir and St. Cecilia Chorale.

He also continues to lead many productions and cultural events in Avoyelles Parish.