Ms. Ashley, the teachers and students of Sugar 'n Spice honored Laci this year as their "Graduate in Heaven".  Their compassion and creativity is amazing and will be forever remembered.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness and support throught out the years.

Revue Program (Laci's picture in the eye).

Laci's Graduate Page

Ashley & Laci's Page

Ashley's Page -  Ashley was this years recipient of the Laci Taquino "I Hope You Dance" Memorial Award.

 (Note to Laci)

"Dear Laci,  We would have loved nothing more than to have you dancing on the stage tonight.  We both miss you so much each and every day.  Since you can't be here with us, we decided to dedicate this solo to you.  You meant the world to both of us, so it was an honor to work together on this dance in your memory.  We know that you are always watching over us and we know that you will be dancing in heaven tonight.  We love you with all our hearts, Nana & Ashley"

The "Pointe Class"  - performed a pointe number to Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven".

    Every year the CHS Cheerleaders remember Laci, but this year (her senior year) the cheerleaders did an amazing job of remembering her.  Ms. Pitman, all the cheerleaders and their families have touched our hearts so deeply and we will forever hold each one of them in our hearts.

Chelsea Guidry presented this year's Laci Taquino Memorial Award.  Chelsea was so sweet to send me a copy of her speech.  I know this was hard for Chelsea to do and will forever be grateful to her for always remembering and including Laci. 

    "Tonight as you look to the senior table, you only see nine seniors.  But really there are ten seniors with us here tonight.  There is one very special angel smiling down on us from heaven.  Some of you may ask who Laci is and why this award is given out?  Laci was a sophomore here at Comeaux, an honor student with a 4.0 GPA, a Junior Varsity Cheerleader, a dancer, and an active member of the Beta Club.  On August 14th, 2006, our beautiful Laci unexpectedly passed away from an AVM.  On the first day of our Sophomore year, we buried Laci in her cheerleading uniform and the 2006-2007 Junior Varsity Cheerleaders dressed out together as a full squad for the last time.  She was our best friend, best cheerleader, best supporter, and best dancer.  Laci wasn't just a remarkable student but was an amazing teacher as well, and although her actions were not meant to impact any one of us, they left an impression on all of us and will continue to impact us throughout the rest of our lives.  Laci was everything you could ask for in a friend, daughter, sister, and cheerleader and will forever be remembered for her beautiful smile that never seemed to leave her face; a smile that could brighten anyone's day no matter what they were going through.  She was the type of person that everyone admired and looked up to because of the hard work and dedication she put into everything and everyone.  Laci had a hugh heart full of love and care for others and no matter how big the problem or how hard the task, she never let you down.  She listened closely to your problems with a nonjudgemental ear and always knew just what to say and do.  She truly was that hand to hold and shoulder to cry on when times got tough.  Laci was our life saver - that was just who she was - and even beyond her life here on earth she has still saved, given, and impacted the lives of many by becoming an organ donor to six people.  She always gave everything she did 110% and quitting or giving up was just something she didn't do.  When it came to putting together dance lines, Laci was front and center, always ready to shine on cue.  She was our motivation and drive to not only get along with each other, but to achieve to be the very best squad of cheerleaders, and people we could be.  Even though Laci can't physically be with us here tonight, we know she is with us spiritually.  She has stayed with us, close in our hearts through every game, practice, competition, pep rally, sleepover, arguement, laugh, and tear.  So the past two years, this award has been given to a sophomore cheerleader who most resembles the qualities that Laci showed us on a daily basis, and is chosen by the Junior Varisty Cheerleaders.  It is with great honor that I present this year's Laci Taquino Memoiral Award to Miss Erin Dupree.

                                    Lisa, Lexi, Erin Dupree and Chad

In appreciated for all Ms. Pitman, the CHS Cheerleaders and their families have done for Laci, Cheerleader flags were donated to the cheerleader squad. 

Below is a letter written by Ms. Pitman, the CHS Cheerleader sponsor:

Comeaux Cheerleaders Love Their Laci!

As a teacher in a public high school, I know like most how hard it is for public school students and sports players to receive the perks and support that private schools and bigger schools are so graciously given.  My cheerleaders are some of the best people I have honestly and sincerely ever met in my life.  Not only do they all have impeccable grades while in honors courses, they love to "do" for others.  They help each other in cheerleading.  I've taught most of them and I've witnessed them helping others in class, and they are so respectful to others.

We, unlike other cheerleading squads in our area, do not have access or money to practice 20 hours a week with special gyms and regulation sized mats.  We practice outside next to the concession stand on unleveled ground and are usually kicked out of our own gym on cold or rainy days due to other sports.  My girls don't complain, they just continuously strive to keep up with the best and they do.  In the past 4 years, we've placed nationally 3 times that's pretty impressive.

As a graduate from Comeaux, I know that the one thing we have always wanted (in cheerleading and sports) are the big expensive flags with your school letters on them to parade around the football field before a game and at touchdowns.  They run close to $300 each, and we could never dream of getting something of that nature when so many other buildings needed repairing and so many other supplies and more important necessities were obviously first on the list at a public school.

Two years ago, I had the hardest, most difficult task in my 26 years of living.  I had to call 40 cheerleaders (along with my other sponsor) and let them know that one of their fellow cheerleaders died.  She was with us at a poster party, smiling away, she got a headache that night, and soon passed away.  Telling 40 young cheerleaders their beloved Laci passed away was excruciatingly painful, the same conversation, the same pitful teenage girl cries and questions, the same heart wrenching gasps.  I'll never forget that, ever.

Laci was a 4.0 student, and I think the rest of the squad will agree, she was our best cheerleader on JV.  She was front and center in dances and always the one asked to exemplify what something was supposed to look like.  Teachers loved her to be in their class and all students respected and loved her, no exaggeration.  Cheerleading was her life, she was buried in her cheerleading uniform and the girls were asked to wear their matching uniform to the funeral.  Though it was one of the hardest things to see, it was both inspirational and memorable to experience.

We kept a spot open in our sideline formation on the track with a megaphone in her name, coach put a cross with LT on the back of all the boys' helmets, and we constantly pray for her and God to help us through practices, games, and competitions.

Though her mom has obviously had s difficult time, she continues to support us in all we do.  She still attends our banquets and always wishes us well.  This year, right beore the girls competed in Orlando, Florida the other cheer moms surprised the girls with 3 enormous flags that said "C", "H", "S!"  Mrs. Lisa Taquino donated the flags to the girls, with the corner of them embroidered "In Loving Memory of Laci Taquino."  She said, if Laci was still alive, she wasn't that good at tumbling yet, so she would have been one of the ones that were waving the flags at the games, so that's why she thought the flags would be perfect to leave in her honor!  I beg to differ, Laci would have been a star on the field at pep rallies, track at games, and cheerleading mat at competitions.  She is our angel and she has left more than a stone monument with us, she left the inspiration to strive to be just like her.  That's more than most ever leave behind. 

My precious Laci, I hope you can see your garden from Heaven.  All my love sweet girl.

Laci's Cheerleader Statue

  Sugar 'n Spice Dance School honored Laci for their 2007 Dance Revue.  The following presentation was made:


As many of you are aware, on August 14th of last year, the Sugar'n Spice family was hit very hard with the loss of a student.   Laci Taquino, at the age of 15, passed away unexpectedly and we were at a loss as to how to handle the situation.  Not only was she a long term dance student, she was also the child of one of our teachers.  We had all watched Laci grow up to be the beautiful and talented young lady that she was at the time of her death.  We did not want her specialness to go with her.  The faculty made a decision at the beginning of the dance year to look for a student who embodied all the characteristics that made Laci the girl that she was.  Sugar 'n Spice decided that each year we would recognize one high school age dancer who best represents the things we loved about Laci.  We looked for a student who was a joy to teach, a quiet and unassuming student who was dedicated to dance and  to her studies, a student who was always willing to go the extra mile or take her place at the back of the line if that is what the team needed her to do.  We looked for the student that we could always depend on to give her best effort, never complain, and just do what was needed to get the dance done.  With that in mind, the Laci Taquino Memorial Award was created and is being presented tonight to the student that we feel best represents all the wonderful things that Laci was.  Our decision had already been made when we also just happened to learn that Laci had a favorite older dancer that she admired and looked up to and always wanted to dance like.  Just as God had a hand in Laci's death because he must have needed a dancer and cheerleader in heaven, God had a hand in our decision making.  Without knowing, we chose Laci's idol as the recipient of the 1st  Annual Laci Taquino Memorial Award winner and would like to present that award to Zoe Acosta.  The award is being presented by Ms. Ashley and Ms. Wanda.


The Select Class (Laci's class) performed a lyrical to "If Heaven" by Andy Griggs in Laci's memory.  Dancers were Zoe Acosta, Kelli Braquet, Brittany Broussard, Brooke Colarelli, Tiffany McZeal, Megan Montz, & Kayla Ortego.
"If Heaven" can be viewed under the Audio/Video Section of this site.

Laci's number one passion was Dance.  Words can not express the thankfulness we have in our hearts for Ms. Ashley and the girls in the Select Class who worked so hard on this dance for Laci.  Each one of them, along with her "Nana" Danielle,  inspired Laci to become the dancer she was.   

We will never see Laci's dream of graduating from Dance, but because of your thoughtfulness and compassion, she received her well deserved recognition.

To the Sugar 'n Spice Faculty and students we thank you for remembering, Laci.

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Zoe Acosta  - 2007

Emily Suire - 2008

Ashley LeVasseur - 2009

The 2006-2007 CHS Cheerleading Squad recognized Laci in many special ways.  The following is from a letter we received from the squad.

     Laci, our shining star has left an indelible mark on all of our lives.  In her honor, the Laci Taquino Memorial Award will be presented to a 10th grade cheerleader at the banquet.

    Laci's sweet example of purity, gentleness, loyalty, truthfulness, and genuine friendship are qualities we all strive for.  She was always willing to give 200% at every practice, she loved everyone and always wanted everyone to get along.  Laci never had anything negative to say.  We believe this is what it means to be a true cheerleader.  When selecting this year's recipient, we asked the girls to remember Laci and her true strength of character and personality.

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Morgan Barcant 2006-2007

Leslie Overton 2007-2008

Erin Dupree 2008-2009

Milton Elementary/Middle School honors Laci by giving the following award in her memory each year.

      In the spring of 2004, the Milton Oustanding Cheerleader Award was established to honor an extraordinary young lady who displayed such devotion, friendship, gentleness, kindness, and loyalty to others.  Laci Michelle Taquino was the first recipient of this award.  Laci was the true meaning of all that is good and honorable.  On August 14, 2006, Laci left this Earth to spend eternity among the angels.   That evening a special memorial service was held to honor her incredible life, share our favorite memories, and find comfort among family and friends.  It was on this day that the Milton Outstanding Cheerleading Award was renamed to the Laci Taquino Outstanding Cheerleading Award.  This award will ensure that her legacy will live on forever as she will always remain in our hearts.