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Cassie Theall McClelland sings the words of the Abbeville High alma mater every Friday morning, along with the chorus over the intercom speakers, because she “bleeds red and grey.”
“I came to school here, and teaching here now feels like I’m right where I belong,” says McClelland. “Being chosen by my colleagues affirms my choice to be here and part of this community, and this family. I am so proud to be a Wildcat.”
According to principal Brett Darby, Abbeville High School faculty members chose McClelland as their 2021-22 Teacher of the Year, a unique and deserved choice. Most teachers awarded this title are teachers of core subjects, like math or English.
“It’s fulfilling to see a member of our Special Education Department (SPED) celebrated like this because they often do so much work behind the scenes,” says Darby. “With Cassie, she’s not only servicing the kids on her SPED caseload, but she’s working with our entire student body on many levels.”
Sixteen years into her teaching career, she has taught the last three years at AHS. Coming from J.H. Williams before that, she had the unique opportunity to teach some of the same students a second time as they came through their high school careers.
“Having that opportunity to see their growth and the evolution that happens from grade level to grade level and from school to school not only filled my heart but also enlightened me as an educator,” says McClelland.
McClelland works with ULL to facilitate their continuing education programs Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search, both programs that connect high school students with the university’s services early. This involves preparing students for the ACT and providing after-school tutoring for qualifying students.
In addition, McClelland teaches several homebound students each school year.
“I really believe that all students can learn, no matter their strengths and weaknesses,” states McClelland. “Some of these kids, you wouldn’t believe the adversity they face outside of these school walls, but they still deserve every chance at that diploma.”
From here, McClelland will apply for the title of Vermilion Parish Teacher of the Year and then on to the state level if she advances. If it stops at the school level, though, she says she’s well satisfied with the title.
“To have the support of the people I see every day at work, the people who help me push these kids through to see the light of success is the biggest reminder that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”

This Saturday, Abbeville will be featuring an Art and Jewelry Show downtown. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Roger and Alice Boynton invite you to the show that will feature Katherine Klimitas, a New Orleans-based artist and designer who brings her love for all things artistic to live.
Katherine Klimitas, who sold her first watercolor at the age of 10, grew up in a household where her parents were veterinarians. Her artistic style reflects her life-long appreciation for animals and her belief that there is a lot that we can learn from our four-legged friends.
As a young girl, Klimitas’ parents wanted their daughter to grow up as normal as possible, even though she was the only one in a wheelchair.
The Metairie artist paints lying on her side due to osteogenesis imperfecta – brittle bone disease, which stems from a lack of collagen and leads to broken and deformed bones.
Due to OI, by the time she was 10 Klimitas had broken bones more than 500 times. As a result, at 2 feet, 7 inches tall, Klimitas has never been able to walk. Instead, she zips around in an electric wheelchair and jokes that she’s been driving since the age of 2.
Even though Klimitas thought of herself as being just like her friends, being included in everything they did as much as possible, there were times when her parents Dr. Adriana Sagrera and the late Dr. Frank Klimitas wanted her to enjoy things that she couldn’t physically do, so they came up with activities that they knew she could do.
Adriana got her daughter her first watercolor set at the age of 5 and enrolled her in several art classes, and the rest is history. Standing at 2 feet 7 inches, Klimitas has a very different way of painting and making jewelry.
“I have to paint laying down because it’s easier for me,” she said. “A professor of mine taught me how to look at something and understand what it looks like as if I were sitting up.”
She soon figured out a way to compensate for her different angle.
Focusing on the eyes for a lot of her paintings, Klimitas says that it’s because the eye is an essential part of her work.
“You can see someone’s personality through their eyes and that brings them to life.”
Klimitas began making jewelry around the age of 14.
As different as it is, it works for her.
The 32-year-old artist says that painting takes a lot of concentration.
“You’re creating something on a blank piece of paper, whereas, with jewelry, I’m taking pieces of stone or metal and putting it together,” she said, “which gives me a lot more freedom and isn’t quite as mentally demanding.”
What used to be a hobby of hers became something more. Klimitas said that when she was young, she used to create art and loved doing it for fun, but it became a minor issue that became her future.
“I’d finish a painting and think to myself, ‘okay, I just did this painting that turned out really good, so how can I monetize it?’ This had her searching for another hobby; something that could open the door for her, a career.
Graphic design. Putting most of her time meeting deadlines for her clients, graphic design is still art-related.
“It’s a little more marketable and is consumer-friendly,” she said. “It’s really helped me in my art because it allows me to do things like make products with my art on them.”
Being able to design, paint or make jewelry 3-4 times a week is something she enjoys. “If I’m having an off day, I don’t have to force myself to get up for an out-of-home job,” said Klimitas, “and I appreciate that a lot.”
KAK Art & Designs, Klimitas business, is doing well. Her love for art is in every aspect of what she does, whether it’s graphic design, painting or making jewelry.
In the former Classic Design building in downtown Abbeville, local art enthusiasts and animal lovers alike will be able to view original watercolors, signed prints, handcrafted jewelry made with precious metals and hand-picked stones, as well as gift items pairing Klimitas collection of wildlife art with humorous quotes will be available during the Art and Jewelry Show.
Refreshments and door prizes will welcome you while visiting the show. The address is 112 S. State Street in Abbeville, across from the Sheriff’s Office.

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Worris Levine Sr. will be held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 11:00AM with his son Worris Levine Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 8:00AM until the time of service.
A native of Vermillion Parish and a resident of Abbeville, Mr. Levine passed away at 2:41PM on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. He was a farmer for many years of his life. He was affectionately known as the “Cracklin Man”.
Survivors of Mr. Levine include his wife, Shirley Levine; one son; Worris Levine Jr.; two daughters; Althea Comeaux and Andrea Joseph; four grandchildren; Natara Comeaux, Worris Levine III, Matoshe’ LeCesne, and Deylon Joseph; seven grandchildren; Torrien, Tor’Ryon, Gio, Marco, AJ, Ma’Kynzie, and Seppe.
Mr. Levine was preceded in death by his parents Langdon Levine and Nolia Petry Levine.
Condolences may be sent to the Levine family at www. davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity Street (337) 893-3777 is in charge of the arrangements.

As a small reminder to be grateful and stay positive, Tammy Nunez and her daughter Jordan decided to expand their business after Tammy began burning candles and dedicating prayers for those she felt the need to.
She said since times had been trying for many in the age of COVID, she found herself creating a personal prayer space with her candles.
“Eventually, many requested prayer candles,” Tammy said, “so that’s how these candles began.
What started as making soap for her daughters who had sensitive skin and eczema turned into a business that is as pure and natural as it comes.
Nunez said she wanted to go the natural route. By controlling what went into her products, she did her research, adjusted her recipes based on how her daughter’s skin responded, and now has it down to a science. “I’m a huge science nerd,” Nunez said. “The teacher in me didn’t mind doing all the research that needed to go into making soaps, so when I began to make different items, such as the candles, it wasn’t really that different.”
Having started making her products around the year 2000, Nunez couldn’t find candles that met her expectations, which prompted her to spend hours, weeks, and months testing waxes, wicks, and fragrances to perfect her candle product.
Wanting to share the love, affirmations, and positivity, Nunez perfected her product by researching information on various prayer candles for angels and saints. “This led me to heal and affirmation candles. Colors, scents, and crystals associate with particular angels and saints, that’s when I immediately connected with affirmation candles.”
As a mother and retired teacher, Nunez knows that words matter. So beginning each day with a positive affirmation or prayer makes things just seem a little brighter. Her mission? To bring a little ‘light’ to others.
Affirmations and prayers of hope, gratitude, protection, love, prosperity, courage, and confidence are found on each candle. Whether it is a gift to yourself or someone else, each time you light the candle, the prayer is lit and nature takes its course through all of the natural ingredients and love put into each candle.
The small family-owned business, JoMama’s Naturals, is located deep in the heart of Cajun country, outside of Erath. The company stems from a deep connection to Mother Earth and the joy of creating.
Every creation is handmade and sent from our home to yours,” said Nunez.
But, what’s behind the name? Jo, for Jordan, Tammy’s daughter who has her hands in wax as deep as her mother’s, and Mama (Tammy). So, JoMama’s Naturals was officially born.
No mass production happens in their kitchen, though. Instead, each ingredient is chosen with a specific goal in mind. “Everything is made and packaged by our hands, in our home, in small batches and delivered to yours,” Nunez said.
There are many different fragrance descriptions on all of JoMama’s products. For example, the herbal candles use the power of your intentions (and hers) to guide your actions toward achieving the results you project in your thoughts, which are popular for those who meditate or do yoga.
The now-retired teacher is proud of her business. Having taught for 30 years, Nunez still finds herself fulfilled since she can still feed so many people. Teaching is a food source for the mind, but so are the candles she makes.
All of JoMama’s Naturals products are vegan and cruelty-free. Many of the products are created with essential oils, some without scent. These can be found, along with detailed information about the business and exactly what is in their products, on their website jomama311@jomamasnaturals.com.