The Acadian Centre Acadien, Abbeville Cultural & Historical Alliance and the Cajun Culture Association jointly announce the availability of the Russell Gaspard French Immersion Scholarship to be awarded to Vermilion Parish high school students, for the 2013 summer French immersion study program in Nova Scotia, Canada.

A scholarship will be awarded for study at the University Sainte Anne, located in Church Point (Pointe-de-L’Eglise), Nova Scotia (Nouvelle-Ecosse), Canada. Applications are open to all Vermilion Parish resident high school students and will be for the 2013 summer five-week French immersion session, from July 7th to August 10th, 2013. The scholarship will cover tuition, books, room, board and side trips provided through the program ($3,200). Students must be at least age 15 at the time of attending the program and will be required to speak French throughout their attendance in the program. Students will be responsible for travel expenses to Sainte Anne University and for personal expenses. Recipients will be required to provide up to 30 volunteer hours at the Acadian Centre Acadien and/or the Abbeville Cultural & Historical Alliance Centre upon their return from attending the program (to be completed by 12/31/2013).

The French Immersion Program helps the student gain a working knowledge of the French language through the immersion process. The student who completes the suggested curriculum is considered able to function in French. For more information on the summer program applicants can go to the www.usainteanne.ca website.

Since 2007 the scholarship program has sent twelve (13) students to study French in Nova Scotia. Abbeville Cultural & Historical Alliance President, Lloyd Doré III, stated that the scholarships have provided a unique experience and helped expand the student’s understanding of their Acadian heritage.

The Acadian Center Acadien maintains an impressive photo and information exhibit, featuring displays of artwork and other mementos chronicling the saga of Le Grand Dérangement, the expulsion of Acadian families from Nova Scotia in 1755, many of whom settled in Louisiana. The Alliance museum has standing exhibits of interest to visitors, featuring permanent and changing exhibits provided by its other members, the Giant Omelette Celebration, Vermilion Historical Society, and Vermilion Arts Council.

Applications for the French Immersion Program scholarship can be obtained by calling the Abbeville Cultural & Historical Alliance (Museum & Art Gallery) at 898-4114 or Lloyd Doré III at 893-5400 or L3Dore@doretax.com. Applications will be due by December 28th, 2012, with interviews held on January 5th, 2013.

The Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance (Museum & Art Gallery) is located in the Vermilion Parish War Memorial Building (200 North Magdalen Square), in historical downtown Abbeville, open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. For additional information please call 337/898-4114. The Alliance is a non-profit tax-exempt organization.