Monthly Archives: June 2017

ALEXANDRIA, La. (Holy Savior Menard High School) - Holy Savior Menard Central High School will have a new face helping lead the way when the students return. New to Menard, but not to high quality education, Dwayne Lemoine has over 30 years of educational leadership experience in central Louisiana.

With core beliefs that center around transformative education, civic responsibility and personal empowerment, Menard will benefit from Lemoines strategic background and vision. Menard Principal, Joel Desselle, is looking forward to working with Lemoine because of his proven track record in this region.

As Superintendent of Avoyelles Parish, Dwayne helped create a system for significant academic and social growth of more than 6,000 students and maintained a balanced budget in a district where the per pupil funding is one of the lowest in the state. During his tenure as Principal of Pineville High School, Lemoine led the school to become the highest performing public high school in the district, as well as provided direction and guidance for the design and construction of a new $14 million-dollar school facility.

A Master of Education degree from Northwestern State University and many years of coaching and teaching experience, along with numerous awards and honors make Lemoine a uniquely qualified candidate to join the Menard family and continue raising the standards of excellence that have been established throughout the 125 years of Catholic secondary education in central Louisiana.

According to Lemoine, I am grateful and honored to be given the opportunity to work with the Holy Savior Menard community in advancing the school's mission."

Welcome to the Holy Savior Menard family Mr. Lemoine.

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Menard introduces new Assistant Principal - KALB News (press release)

UNITED STATES Whentwo men were fatally stabbed and another injured on a Portland train in May, officials and journalists began to follow the predictable course of profiling the attacker in an effort to understand why he would resort to such actions. After a few short days, severalsources began to speculate on his Heathen religious practice, more specifically on Odinism.

This assumption rests squarely on Facebook posts made the attacker over the past year. On May 9, he wrote, Hail Vinland!! Hail Victory!!

[Photo credit: Paul Walker.]

The term Vinland has more recently become a rallying point for white supremacist groups and has been used in the naming of related organizations, such as the Wolves of Vinland. In a post last fall, the Oregon attacker wrote, I Hereby Solemnly swear to Die trying to Kill Hillary (Herself a filthy Murderess) Clinton and Donald Trump should they be elected to the post of President in my faire country on Vinland [sic].

The ideological meaning placed onVinland in these cases is not entirely dissimilar from the Trump administrations call to make America great again. At their core, both rallying cries center around a false nostalgia, hearkening back to a time whenlife was allegedly better than it is today, and promising that a return tothat illustrious time would fix all modern problems. Although similar, one cry is far more openly extreme than the other.

Along with using Vinland,the Portland attacker has alsoreferenced other Pagan or Heathen terminology, and has suggested that he harbors polytheist beliefs.According to one news report, he was introduced to such religiouspractices while in prison for another crime.

Most recently, in an Apr. 19 post, the stabber wrote, May all the Gods Bless Timothy McVeigh and then quoted William Ernest Henleys poem Invictus. In an earlier post he says hed like to put an end to the monotheist question, threatening to kill All Zionist Jews, All Christians who do not follow Christs teaching of Love, Charity, and Forgiveness.

As the mainstream media continued to follow the line of reasoning that the attacker was indeed an Odinist, various Heathen organizations issued statements in response to theseclaims.

The Trothcondemned the attack, reflecting on the need for in-prison military services.Mallory Brooks, program coordinator for the organizationsIn-Reach Heathen Prison Services, wrote: Our hearts go out to the targets and victims of last Fridays attack. The alleged perpetrator brought shame to our religion and, in the eyes of many, to our gods and goddesses. This is unacceptable.

Heathens United Against Racisms statement offered its support to the family, adding that the Portland Killer is our communitys responsibility, and we must do everything we can to prevent it from happening again.

The Portland Killers actions didnt happen in a vacuum, reads HUARs statement. In an environment where hate-speech is being normalized and promoted, it tends to bubble over into violence.

Both the statements from the Troth and HUAR work from the assumption that the man was indeed Heathen in some way, and send out acall to action to the greater Heathen community to join in the fight to stop theuse of Norse mythology and related modern religions to justify extremist violence. Their pleas are not unlike those often found in the Muslim community.

However, not all Heathens were convinced that this man was actually co-religionist. Wild Hunt writer and author of The Norse Mythology Blog Karl E. H. Seigfried told a reporter that the stabbers various Facebook rants invoke Lilith (Jewish), Tiamat (Babylonian), and Lucifer. His oath to Odin, Kali, Bastet and all other Pagan Gods and Goddesses in my Aryan Theosophical Nucleus concludes by invoking Jesus Christ and Bernie Sanders.

He goes on to argue: This muddles together Norse, Hindu, Egyptian, Christian, and Jewish figures with an unsectarian body of seekers whose founder was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church.

To pick one thread out of this insane tapestry and declare it to be the religious determiner of [] hate would be nonsensical.

Seigfried makes a point. Over the past year, the stabber posted information aboutancient Egyptian gods and goddesses; he called specifically to Gaia, Kali Ma, and even Jesus. On Apr. 28 he wrote, Until you cross that line then nothing will stop our come to Jesus talk friend or foe. If our come to Jesus talk fails you will face the come to Lucifer talk.

The only term that stands out as repetitive is Vinland, which has become interwoven in contemporarywhite supremacist ideology, independent of religious practice. As Seigfried suggests, this points directly to the question of whether or not this man actually practices any form of religious Heathenry.

Are the stabbers words simply the markings of a supremacist viewpoint? If so, another question arises. Shouldthe use of Norse mythology simply as symbolism or as a coating for extremist ideology, rather than as true religion, be enough to pushHeathens into action? Is the attacker their responsibility, as suggested by HUAR and the Troth?

This is where the proverbial waters are muddied, and the Heathen communitys struggle becomes increasingly difficult. Publicly speaking, connections are being made between the religious practice, the mythology, and extremists acts. Picking them apart is not always easy.

In 2015, the Richmond Dispatcher asked the question: are white supremacists in prison using a Pagan religion to radicalize young men? The article was written after the FBI broke up a ring of men who were plottingto attack a number of synagogues and black churches in Virginia. The article posits that there has been a growing number of Odinists and Asatruar in the prison system, but it also notes that there is a growing number of white supremacists.

The analysis provides no speculation on where the intersections between religious beliefs and extremist views lie, and how the reported statistics correlate. Which ideology is bredfirst? Do white supremacists find Odinism? Or do Odinists find white supremacy? It is a chicken-and-egg question.

In the recent Troth statement, Brooks explains: Racist groups within prisons often engage in bullying tactics to instill fear into inmates who do not hold such views, and the racists rhetoric and dominance cause them to be the Heathens most visible to the correctional officers, chaplains, and administrators, who often do not understand the dynamics at play.

As such, the racists become who defines Heathenry in many of these facilities.

Brooks believes that a better, stronger, and more extensive Heathen prison ministry can help clarify the divide and support inmates, who are genuinely interested in the religion, from getting caught up in the game being played by supremacists.

As suggested by the above article, Heathenry, in these radicalizedforms, is reportedly attracting a large number of young men, which issimilar to reports on Islamic extremism.

Dr. Jennifer Snook, lecturer of sociology at Grinnell college, speculates: White supremacists are attracted to it []sometimes, but often just because theyve seen the show Vikings, and it allows them to enact a hypermasculine performance while appealing to their (imagined) super-white Northern European bloodlines a source of perceived privilege and status when other avenues of power (economic, political, manhood) begin to feel cut off.

It is a way for these young men to find personal empowerment within a contemporary and changing landscape.Snook explainsthat this says more about the supremacists than the religion, and she adds that the connection is nothing new.

There is historical precedent for white supremacists (think: Third Reich) to co-opt images of Germanic warriors, gods and heroes in an appeal to the epic past (think: Wagner). Norse mythology is the cultural inheritance of Northern Europe the whitest of white folks. Its also perceived as untarnished by Christians which is completely untrue (the stories were recorded by monks, after all) which white supremacists view as a desert religion for the racial other. Add to that an overdose of hypermasculinity, and youve got quite a mess.

As Snook suggests, the connection between the extremist ideology and symbolic presence of Norse mythology is obvious when placed in an historical context. However, what about the modern practice of Norse-basedreligions? In the suggested framework, these religions have become victims, being pulled unwittingly into a universe of hate.

Theincrease in white supremacy isnt a Heathen problem, its an American problem, Snook says. It indicates more about the current political climate in the United States than anything that Heathens are doing or saying.

Snooks comment returns to the question of responsibility; a question that canbe posed to any religious subgroup. Are violent extremists, who openly claim or use a religion to justify violence, the responsibility of the rest of that religious community, even if the extremist is not practicing?

As suggested by the recent public statements, the members of both HUAR and the Troth believe that it is their responsibility. Bothpublic opinion and the consistent media focus on the connection between Heathenry and extremism has significantly affected the work and lives of many Heathens worldwide. It keeps Heathen writers such as Seigfried and Snook busy with interview requests from mainstream journalists. This conflation wasthe catalyst for the formation of groups,such as theAlliance for Inclusive Heathenry, Heathens against Hate, and HUAR.

One interviewee who wished to remain anonymouskeeps his religious practice hidden from coworkers and superiors, not because hes worried about being labeled a devil worshiper, but because he is concerned, due to the public opinion, that hell be called white supremacist.

The reality of the situation has placed the Heathen community in the uncomfortable position of perpetual defense, waging a monthly, weekly and sometimes even daily public relations battle to protect and defend their religion against a minority of people who are using Norse mythology to define their ideology, whether or not they practice the religion.

This social problem shows no signs of ending; the Oregon attack is just another example in a long line of similar cases. Heathen organizations continue to remainvigilant with regard to the public relations issues, as well as suggesting proactive strategies to curb the problem.

HUAR is encouraging all Heathen groups and individuals to create and enforce anti-discrimination/anti-harassment statements.

With regard to her prison work, Brooks has said, We ultimately want to be able to bridge a gap to help both the Chaplains and inmates understand that they dont have to give into the hate. There are other ways and they dont have to follow the crowd. This is truly the hardest part of prison outreach.

We will not give up and we will not give in.

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Heathen community continues the struggle to distance themselves ... - The Wild Hunt

Name:Gina Yoryet

Business:Lingua Professional Services

Location:Guadalajara, Mexico

Industry:Education & Training

Reason for starting? My main reason for starting is because I want to help more people achieve their educational goals. One of my main concerns is the immigration issue in the U. S. Many peoples futures are at stake.My main interest is to help minority groups to find a professional and personal purpose through their hidden and many times unrecognized skills. I want to be part of their personal, social, spiritual, professional, and financial empowerment by finding their passion and using it to thrive.

I grew up in California, but thirteenyears ago I had to return to Mxico. Like many Mexicans, I was unfortunately denied permanent residency. When I came to Guadalajara, I was at a loss because my only world was the U. S. Although Mxico is my country of birth, I was oblivious to the system, I didnt know anyone, I went through emotional, financial, professional and personal hardship. My family and I moved to the U. S. in search of a better life. When I had finally defined my professional goals, reality hit me and before I could even react to it, I was told that I could no longer remain in the U. S. When I came to Mxico I was told that all the prior credits/classes didnt count towards my B. A. and I had to retake all my classes with the according recognition here in Mxico. Since I was denied that opportunity, I got motivated to help others. Thats why my business is geared towards education. I am certain that the right time and place to get my degree will come for me.

Related:Read about another entrepreneur working in the education field here.

How do you define success? Success is not simply a matter of skill acquisition. It involves a process of personal deconstruction and reconstruction in dealing with each student, client and individuals case, prior history, needs, priorities and objectives. This means that I must constantly evaluate my personal values, motives and goals, and I must be willing to make any necessary changes in order to evolve as a professional. My goal is to genuinely be of assistance to others, entice them and persuade them to reach towards a better and more promising tomorrow to reach wholeness.

Since 2006 Ive helped hundreds of Middle School, High School, College, University students, as well as entrepreneurs in reaching their goal; to improve their English in order to qualify for scholarships, grants, and be able to study abroad, mainly in the U. S., Canada, or other English speaking countries. We assist many people in Standarized College Testing, Advanced Composition, Medical Writing, Business Writing, Cover Letter, CV writing support, among others.Im very fulfilled because I share an igniting passion thatll help me achieve my own education goal. I am certain that by helping them, I am helping myself by gaining more business, education experience to complete my MBA before 2020 (one of my personal goals). This huge worldwide education need has made me more aware of the needs of our society as a whole, and philanthropy is one of my greatest passions.

Biggest success:Follow my fundamentals. Playing with words (writing) is first and foremost fundamental to my success. Writing was first a dream, then it became a passion and that passion then became areality. One of my testimonials and greatest achievements, is my blogin which all my emotions and achievements are channeled. For me it is a success being able to write in a language that is not my native language and being able to use that passion to help others.

What is your top challengeand how you have addressed it?My top challenge has been the culture and business mindset of people in Mexico. Guadalajara is by far, the most difficult city/state to establish long-lasting business relationships in. Doing business is not as straightforward as it is in the U. S., Canada, or other foreign countries. The bureaucracy involved makes everything take much longer than needed, which makes sales and growing a small business as an individual entity very difficult. I have educated myself through workshops, networking, meetings. I have invested money to learn how to get around that and to further understand the business mentality in this end. I have slowly learned but I still find it difficult.

Although I am Mexican, I am missing that part of how they conduct business. Because although Ive had to cross many barriers, and start from the bottom, I have not been daunted by those hurdles and I have not acquiesced my circumstances to dictate my fate. Also because in spite of not having a college degree yet, I have overturned that and other unfortunate life events, Ive instead invested thousands of pesos in my own education, despite not having a college degree yet. Im TEFL and Teaching English for a Specific Purpose Certified, FPELE Spanish as a Foreign Language Certified. I am also a Professional Translator/Interpreter and Ive published one book through the International Womens Leadership Association. As a result of that, I dont set any limitations when it comes to reaching my goals.And because through my skills, I am able to help others achieve their goals. Part of my work is charity work, so I help those who lack the financial means to accomplish that. Real living is living for others. Realize that anything you want in life can be obtained.

Related: TSE Quick Take: Why Womens Businesses Remain Stubbornly Small

Who is your most important role model?Ive had a role models since my early adolescence. When I was 14, Sandra Pizarro from my Latina Leadership Network Group.Currently, My friend Ann Whiting, an American woman whos lived Guadalajara since 1960 and whos done so much for our society. Shes been the founder of many important institutions here. Nelly Galan from the Adelante Movement andSister Madonna Buderare also role models. Every woman who has undergone constant hardship, but in spite of that, has never given up is a role model for me.

Edited by The Story Exchange

Posted: June 8, 2017

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Gina Yoryet: English Language Programs in Guadalajara - The Story Exchange