NCHS News Release
"Home of the Mighty Hurricanes"
Mr. Milton Ambres, Principal
June 7, 1995

         On Saturday, June 3, 1995, Tri Community Nursing Center of  Lebeau, La. hosted the Region III Senior Olympics . The games were held at North Central High School,  and residents of nineteen nursing homes in Region III,  which included Senior Village of Opelousas and nursing home facilities in Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, Carencro, New Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martinville and Ville Platte, participated.

        Athletes representing each nursing home competed in a variety of events. These events included the shot put, discus throw, bean bag toss, and horse shoe toss. Also, there was an event which tested the contestants' mental acuity. The Socrates Trivia  Test consisted of one hundred questions which included current and world events and also math problems. The competition concluded with a spirited chariot race in the NCHS gymnasium where the contestants pitted their wheel chair skills against  each other. They were cheered on enthusiastically to the finish line by loud  cheers, noise makers and shouts of encouragement from their comrades and fellow residents.

         At noon our guests were given a luncheon in the school's auditorium. Afterwards music was provided, and some members  showed off their dancing skills. The dancing was followed by presentation of awards. Floyd Cormier, retired television host and Publications Relations Director for Acadiana Ambulance, was master of ceremonies. Acadiana Ambulance was on hand in the event of an emergency.

        Gary Arnold, TV 10 host of Passe Partout and Meet Your Neighbor, personally presented each 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner with a medal and words of congratulations. The winners of this regional competition will advance to the state competition, which will be held at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, La. on July 5th. This event will be hosted by the Louisiana Nursing Home Association.

         The ceremony concluded with the three highest awards given to the following: Tri Community Nursing Center, Lebeau, La. for Best Banner; Maison de Sante, Ville Platte, La. for the Most Spirit; and Lafayette Guest House, Lafayette, La. for the Most Medals.

         The Region III Senior Olympics at NCHS was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the administration and staff at Tri Community Nursing Center in Lebeau, La. who put in many long hours of preparation, planning, organizing and hard work to make it a success. Also, members of community who volunteered their time and those who donated food were equally important to its success. 

         This is the second time that North Central High School has been the site of the Region III Senior Olympics. The first event was held two years ago according to Principal Milton Ambres. Mr. Ambres said that he has enjoyed both events and that Tri Community Nursing Center has done an outstanding job in organizing and conducting this event. Tri Community Nursing Center is hoping to host another Region III Senior Olympics in the future at North Central High School.