We believe that children are the most precious thing in
life, and that of all life's meanings, they are the most convincing; and that
the endurance and greatness of a civilization are limited entirely by the
investment it makes in the Physical, Intellectual, and Spiritual Development of
its children.
We also believe that, of all the gifts the Master of Life
has granted, the greatest is not the Eye, the Ear, nor the Hand, but the Mind;
that education is not merely a period in life, but a way of life; and, that the
goal of an education is not simply to obtain a livelihood, but to obtain life
itself.
Therefore we believe, that of all professions, the highest
is that of Teacher; and that the profession of teacher should demand the
Excellence, Reward, Responsibility, and Respect, that its importance
dictates.
The Acadiana Educational Endowment (AEE) was founded in
1989 by a group of citizens from across Acadiana as a private, independent,
501(c)3 nonprofit corporation to support public education in Acadia,
Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion
parishes. Through donations and internally generated funds, the AEE is creating
an endowment to support all aspects of our public schools in Acadiana.
The AEE has awarded approximately $600,000 to public education. These include $200,000 in minigrants to public schools in Acadiana; collected and distributed
over $300,000
in money and equipment to schools damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita: endowed a
$33,000 scholarship for local educators to study in France, and endowed a $10,000
academic scholarship for education majors, both through though the University of Louisiana
Foundation; established a foundation for the Acadiana Youth Symphony; made substantial donations to the Children's Museum of Acadiana
and the Children's Concert Series Endowment of the Acadiana Symphony; created a
scholarship program for students and teachers to attend the Deep South Writer's
Festival at the University of Louisiana; established this website,
booksXYZ; and created a
cultural website CajunFun,
and related e-newsletters
ULToday.
Currently, the AEE is the founding organization of The Louis Armstrong
High School for the Arts (LAHSA), a proposed residential magnet school
offering students from across Louisiana intensive training in visual arts,
music, theatre, dance and creative writing. LAHSA was created by Act 1350 of the
1997 Louisiana State Legislature, and is projected for construction outside of
Lafayette, Louisiana. The AEE is responsible for raising all funds to build the
campus, as well as directing all initial development and promotion of the
school.
412 Travis, Suite 220, Lafayette, LA 70503
Vox:
337.769.1471 Fax: 337.769.1468
