Young People of the year

 

Caleb Hempel, a senior at Destrehan High School, has been in ROTC for four years at DHS, which has allowed him to be involved in numerous service and volunteer opportunities. He is the ROTC Wing Commander, the highest student-held position within the ROTC program. He comes highly recommended by his peers as well as by Sgt. Washington and Col. Reich, the ROTC instructors at DHS. 

Bailey Wilson, a senior at Hahnville High School, plans on attending Louisiana State University in the fall to major in biochemistry. She said in the future she intends to continue her education in dental school. Wilson has been a cheerleader for four years, and this past year she was captain. Though cheerleading, she said she was able to implement and oversee numerous service projects for the community with the help of my teammates and sponsors. Outside of cheer, Wilson is a participating member of BETA, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Kick-Off Mentor Council member, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Holy Family CYO. 

Gary and Cathy Dolese – Citizens of the Year

 

Born in New Orleans, Gary grew up in Chalmette and graduated from Chalmette High School. He attended UNO and Nicholls State.

He has been married to Catherine Dolese for 41 years and they have been residents of St. Charles Parish since 1978.

Gary enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1970 and following several training schools, served as nuclear mechanical operator, chemist and radiation protection technician aboard the missile submarine, USS Thomas Edison. He also served as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in Balston Spa, N.Y. 

Gary was employed by Louisiana Power and Light Company in 1978 as a chemistry technician at Waterford 3 nuclear plant in Killona. He held several positions in the chemistry department at Waterford 3 and retired in 2008 after working at Waterford for 30 years.

Gary started scouting in 1988 as an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 323, which was sponsored by Monsanto in Luling. He joined Troop 370, sponsored by St. Anthony Church, in 1992 as an assistant scoutmaster and took over as scoutmaster in 1995, serving to the present. In addition to serving as scoutmaster, he currently serves as the shooting sports director for the Southeast Louisiana Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 

Gary is also active as an NRA instructor and a Louisiana Deptatment of Wildlife and Fisheries Hunter Education Instructor.

Cathy Dolese was born and raised in Dalton, Mass. She graduated from Wahconah High School and Bay State Medical Center School of Nursing. She has worked as a registered nurse since 1973. 

Cathy started scouting in 1982 as a cub scout den mother and served as submaster for Pack 370, sponsored by St. Anthony Church, and Pack 371, sponsored by Holy Family Church.

She has served on numerous local council and national scouting committees and also served as course director for 10 years of BSA National Camp School Day Camp Director Training.

Cathy is an active member of Gulf States Quilting Association.

Cathy and Gary have taken the Woodbadge Adult Leader Course and are recipients of one of scouting’s highest awards, the “Silver Beaver:”