Over 80 AOIT students, family members, and faculty gathered under the pavilion at Carencro High School to eat burgers and hot dogs and to meet each other before the summer break. AOIT Advisory Board members, Andre Comeaux and Roy Bertucci, were also present.

Acting CHS Principal Annette Rath addressed the group to welcome everyone, introduce the AOIT faculty, and present a short overview of the program's status.

After lunch, everyone broke into two groups to tour the labs and academic classrooms. AOIT Co-Directors, Kit Becnel and Joel Hilbun delivered brief remarks to both groups. Becnel described upcoming professional development activities for AOIT faculty and assured the groups, "We are committed to keeping our skills up-to-date and to bringing to our students the lastest and greatest." Hilbun spoke of the exciting potential of the Academy. "You are a special class. Who can imagine how you and the Academy will improve in the next four years. We all have the potential to transform our community." Assistant Principal Darrel Comb concluded by stressing the importance of the larger school community. "Even though you may be in separate classes from non-Academy students for most of the day, we want you to take band or speech; we want you to join clubs or participate in extracurricular activities; we want you to be a part of the larger Carencro High family."

A good time was had by all.

Click on thumbnail to see larger picture.

Andre Comeaux, AOIT Advisory Board member, students, and parents listen to Acting Principal Annette Rath's comments.	AOIT teacher, Kenny Gennuso, mans the grill.	AOIT teacher, Ashlyn Roger, and Lafayette Parish Small Learning Community Project Director, Bill Rath, listen to the short presentation.	Students, parents, and faculty visit under the CHS pavilion.	Burgers and hot dog time!