Theresa Thevenote selected as Avoyellean of the Year

    A popular television show theme song says that two people can keep a secret -- if one of them is dead.

    Friends, family and co-workers proved the songwriter wrong this past Wednesday, catching Theresa Thevenote completely by surprise in being named Avoyellean of the Year for 2014.

   “You could’ve warned me,” Thevenote muttered after the initial surprise when she stepped out of her office to see a sea of familiar faces. “I would have put on lipstick.”

    The award to an Avoyelles Parish citizen, sponsored by the Avoyelles Journal, has been presented annually since 1976. Two special awards were presented for efforts in the years 1968 and 1969, when the Rev. Adrien Molenschott and Eleanor Gremillion, respectively, became Avoyelleans of the Year.

    Donna Culotta read the nomination for Thevenote -- which she submitted -- as part of the presentation ceremonies.

    Thevenote was honored for her many achievements as the parish library system director, but specifically for her efforts in acquiring the former Gulfco Building, renovating it to be a new main library and then moving the library -- every book, stick of furniture and piece of office equipment -- from the Washington Street location to the Main Street site.

    And the project was completed without incurring additional debt.

    “I have the most wonderful staff and family in the world,” Thevenote said in accepting the award. “This is not for me, but for all of them.”

    Police Jury President Charles Jones said he knows nobody else as sincere and dedicated to their responsibilities than Theresa Thevenote. He said her work on obtaining and moving the library, including overcoming several potential stumblingblocks along the way, was nothing short of amazing and inspirational.

    “Looking at what she was doing, I dedicated myself to do whatever I could to make it happen,” Jones said.

    “And you did,” Thevenote added.