November 2025 Meeting Minutes
NAFA
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:15pm
Neville Band Room
The meeting was called to order by NAFA President, Fred Hill. Those in attendance were Dana
Jefferson, Jessica Inabnett, Susan Weaver, Karari Hanks, Jay Traylor, Bill Willson, Micheal Brown,
Mike Tabone, Dr. Jackie Tabone, Maggie Zentner, Dwayne Ludley, Caron McPherson.
Fred welcomed everyone to the meeting; Jay Traylor gave the prayer, and then Fred led the
members to the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fred stated to the members present that this was his last meeting as NAFA President. He will
attend the January meeting where he will swear-in Stewart Shelby as the new NAFA President. He
thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve as president and appreciated the trust the
organization put in him to lead this group.
Fred asked that everyone keep to the allotted time given.
Old Business
There is no update on the ADA Door for the handicapped ramp in the back of Neville.
Reading of the Minutes for October 2025
Caron McPherson
Jessica Inabnett made a motion to dismiss the reading of the October 2025 minutes, and Pat
Turner seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Jeffery Laudenheimer/Absent
No Report
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
NARTS (Out of order due to a conflict)
Pat Turner
Pat reported that NARTS made the Fine Arts Teachers “very happy” recently with the purchase
of their requests. She is hoping to have the Art Departments (there are 8 divisions) make out a
“Christmas Wish List” soon. Pat emphasized that she does not approve submissions; Mr. Hanks
does and then sends the requests to NAFA.
Excellence Committee (Out of order due to a conflict)
Banquet – Thursday, February 19, 2026
Maggie Zentner
Maggie stated that all is going well with the Top 20 Banquet. She shared the news that she had
secured a guest speaker – Mark Kent Anderson. She said he is excited and ready to give back!
Treasurer and Budget Committee
Jeffery Laudenheimer/Absent, Fred Hill, Stewart Shelby/Absent, and Dana Jefferson
Fred stated that NAFA received a bill from our former website creator in the amount of $6,500. This
is the first bill NAFA has received in four years. NAFA did pay him something in the beginning, but
no other correspondence/bill was sent. Fred spoke with the individual and explained that NAFA did
not have the funds to pay the total amount. Fred proposed a $2,000 payout and then he will need
to send NAFA a final bill, or NAFA could pay $1.100 per year for 6 years. Fred asked for a complete
itemized bill from the individual. The discussion was whether to pay him or not, especially since he
has not sent a bill in four years…
Did NAFA have a contract with him?
How did we get this person? A friend of a friend?
NAFA
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:15pm
Neville Band Room
Do we have all the information we need from the old website?
Why did he not send a bill in four years?
When did he start designing the NAFA website?
We do have a contract for our new website with Newcomer, Morris, and Young, and NAFA pays
them monthly. The consensus was to not pay him until Jay Traylor has a chance to look over the
information received from the previous website creator.
Campus Oversite Committee
Fred Hill and Michael Sampognaro/Absent
Karari stated that he saw Patrick Electric repairing lights on the 6th Street Side. All are working well.
Micheal Sampognaro is getting with Karari to go over the Architecture list soon.
Marketing Committee
Kristi Vinson/Absent, Nici Hanks/Absent, Liz McQueen/Absent, Anna Lisa Deal/Absent, and Davis
Brown /Absent No Report
Charitable Gaming
After much discussion, NAFA members present came to the conclusion that participating in the
proposed BINGO Hall would be too much of an undertaking, so a motion was made by Jay Traylor
to shelf this proposal and seconded by Karari Hanks. The motion passed unanimously.
Insurance for the Board
There has been discussion over the past couple of months about securing insurance for the NAFA
Board in the event of a lawsuit. Fred acquired a quote from Jerry Thomas in the amount of $566 per
year. A motion was made by Susan Weaver to accept the bid and seconded by Karari Hanks. The
motion passed.
By-Laws Committee
Michael Brown
A HUGE THANK YOU to Michael Brown for his diligent work to revise the NAFA By-Laws. Michael
did an amazing job, and we all appreciate you tremendously. A motion was made by Bill Willson to
accept the Revised NAFA By-Laws and seconded by Jessica Inabnett. The motion passed
unanimously. GREAT WORK Michael Brown!!! You are AWESOME!
Alumni/Friend of the Year Committee
Susan Weaver
Susan reported that the pictures from the presentation at halftime of the Neville vs Ruston game
are at the printer. It was great.
Scholarship and Awards Committee
Chairperson-Dwayne Ludley, Susan Weaver, and Sandy Savage/Absent
Dwayne reported that Dana will meet with Tim and Kelly Southern on Friday as they are setting up a
scholarship in memory of KK Joyce. This is her senior year and her friends.
Doug Wood has set up new criteria for a scholarship with the donation he made several years ago.
More information will be available later.
Tiger Scramble Tournament
Jeffrey Laudenheimer/Absent
The tournament is scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2026.
School Board Report
Bill Willson and Michael Sampognaro/Absent
NAFA
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:15pm
Neville Band Room
Bill reported that the School Board will be introducing a Renewal Bond Issue soon to help with
much needed repairs for our schools. Some of the proposed additions include an auditorium for
Lexington, repairs to Neville Junior, new turf for all three high schools, just to name a few.
NHS Principal’s Report
Principal-Karari Hanks, and Assistant Principals -Shirley Neal and Grishman Lenard
Neville vs ASH was a “heck of a game”!
The football team has a bye this Friday. Then they will play the winner of Mandeville and
Thibodeaux.
According to the Referee Association, we are allowed to have “human powered horns” only. We
need to be reminded to blow them when we are on defense. The team needs to hear the plays on
offense.
Tailgating at the Neville vs ASH game was amazing! Everything was so organized.
Wednesday, November 19th is our Renaissance Assembly. The new Jazz Band will play 2 songs.
The Speech Department will do a reading.
Basketball starts up this week with a Jamboree at Richwood, and Soccer starts up this week, as
well.
Mr. Hanks asked Mr. Tabone, the band director, to introduce his wife to the NAFA members –
Dr. Jackie Tabone. She works for ULM, and we are so glad she got him here! Mr. Tabone wants to
have a Jazz Band Class for next year. The band will participate in the Krewe of Janus Parade and the
Christmas Parade.
NAFA Office Report
Dana Jefferson
Dana reported that she gave Reunion Tours of the school to the Classes of “75 and “65 and will
have 2 more reunions in the spring (hers being one of them!).
Dana continues to praise Lindsay Swander for all her help with NAFA.
Ashley McTurner is our representative for our website, and Dana stated she is wonderful!
Please send suggestions for President-Elect to Dana before the January 2026 Meeting.
Stewart Shelby will be sworn in as the new NAFA President in January 2026.
If anyone wants to be on the NAFA Board, let Dana Know!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS TO JOIN NAFA.
You can join through the NAFA website!!!!
www.NEVILLEALUMNI.COM
TAKE NOTICE – REMIND has been set up for NAFA. Download the free REMIND app, text-
@nafa1931 to 81010 to join. If you already have the REMIND app, join the nafa1931 class. This
is going to be a great way to keep you informed about what is going on with NAFA and with
Neville!!! New Business
The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 14. 2026, at 5:15pm in the Bandroom.
With no further business, a motion was made by Jessica Inabnett to adjourn the NAFA meeting and
seconded by Karari Hanks- Time – 6:21pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Caron McPherson, NAFA Secretary
NAFA
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:15pm
Neville Band Room
The 2025-2026 Board Members and Executive Board
NAFA Board Members Executive Board
Anna-Lisa Deal
Nici Hanks
Dwayne Ludley
Frank Nettles
Gary Roberts
Jay Traylor
Kristy Vinson
Susan Weaver
Maggie Zentner
Past President – Erin Weaver
President – Fred Hill
President-Elect – Stewart Shelby
Secretary – Caron McPherson
Treasurer – Jeffery Laudenheimer
Parliamentarian – Bill Willson
Executive Director – Dana Jefferson
Congratulations to our 2025 Alumnus and Friends of the Year!
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Become a Neville Alumni & Friend
NAFA Membership is a way to show your support for Neville and the Alumni group.
It is the mission of NAFA to provide supplemental funding for programs or projects to enhance the quality of instructional delivery and student life, and to promote excellence in higher education at Neville High School.
