Harlan Kirgan
LSU Eunice graduates were urged to meet a series of challenges presented by commencement speaker State Rep. John Stefanski at ceremonies Friday.
Stefanski, 33, of Crowley, presented three challenges to the graduates.
— Give back back to Acadiana and Louisaiana;
— Stay true to themselves and their core values; and
— To be bold and take risks.
The freshman representative said, “Many of the constituents I represent are family and lifelong friends, So, it means something extra to me to make sure I’m doing the best job possible,” he said.
Stefanski, a lawyer, was elected to represent District 42 in 2017.
He earned a juris doctorate from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2010. Stefanski is a partner in the law firm of Edwards, Stefanski and Zaunbrecher in Crowley.
Noting he works with his family, Stefanski said, “No one will be as supportive, but also as brutally honest as your family will, often at the same time.”
Stefanski said the area’s culture is hard to duplicate anywhere else in the world.
“You represent the best and brightest among your peers. Louisiana and Acadiana need you We need you to invest in our community like you’ve invested in your education,” he said.
Stefanski asked the graduates to help transform the state.
“Help us make Louisiana the envy of all of the other 49 states, not just for our food and music, but for jobs, education and infrastructure,” he said.
In his challenge to follow values, Stefanski noted, “Communities like Eunice are true to their core values and that is what makes these types of communities unique.”
In being bold, Stefanski said, “Big changes only come when someone is brave enough to take the risks, Never forget that you have the ability to determine your future.”
He added, “Don’t be afraid to voice an unpopular opinion that you believe is right.”
Stefanski said the graduates should not fear failure.
“Failure is not defined by one event. It is defined by those who stop trying,” he said.
Chancellor Kimberly Russell said there were 205 graduates this spring.