The local Grambling and Southern alumni organizations in Ville Platte will be participating in the 35th Annual Bayou Classic Parade in Ville Platte Thanksgiving Day, November 27, at 3 p.m. Their parade marshal is Deborah Paul.

Line up for the parade is at 2 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. The parade route will go down Beech Street to Dr. Carver and then onto Dr. M.L. King Avenue, ending at Dr. King Center. The parade is an annual pregame bout between the two local alumni chapters. This year’s parade is being hosted by the Southern Alumni Chapter. Anyone wishing to participate can contact the local Southern Chapter or call 506-3957.

Deborah Paul

Paul, who was selected as the 2008 Bayou Classic Parade Marshal, has served as the compliance coordinator for the Department of Athletics at Southern University, Baton Rouge, since 2001. In 2002, she was appointed senior woman administrator. She was involved in the initial design of the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program at Southern. Her other responsibilities in the athletics department include serving as a member of the administrative team, co-advising the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and providing supervision to the academic unit. Prior to joining Southern University, she worked for the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance as a communications director and at LSU as an assistant financial aid director.



Paul is a member of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Jesse B. Bilberry Jr., where she serves on the Intermediate Usher Board. She is also actively involved in Gamma Eta Omega, a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., serving as co-chair of the Black Family Committee. In addition, she serves on the Client Advisory Board of Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge.

Paul graduated from Ville Platte High School in 1980 and earned a B.A. in journalism, magna cum laude and an M.A. in mass media, both from Southern University. In her spare time, Paul enjoys baking and is learning to crochet again. She and her husband, Kevin, also a Southern graduate, enjoy traveling and attending athletic events. They are the parents of Breanna Jalise, a college freshman at Clark Atlanta University and Kevin Jude II, a high school freshman.

She is the daughter of the late Chester Frank Sr. and Lucille Wilson Frank.

For those attending the annual Bayou Classic game, weekend activities kick off with the Coaches Luncheon Friday, Nov. 28, at 11 a.m., and the Super Job Fair at noon. Guests should also see the McDonald’s Battle of the Bands and Greek Show presented by Alltel Wireless at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28. Last year the Southern Jaguars took it all: The Battle of the Band, the Greek Show and the game. This year a little spice has been added to the competition.

Former VPHS football standout Jerry Joseph, is now wearing #26 for the Southern Jaguars. He is part of the special team and has also seen some action as a running back. Organizers of this year’s event said Joseph’s parents are Grambling graduates and staunch black and gold supporters. “Everyone is wondering what colors they will wear and how they will be cheering!”

The Bayou Classic Football Game is televised live on NBC Sports; kickoff time is at 1 p.m.