[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E486-E487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ARDEN CAHILL ACADEMY, A PROMINENT INSTITUTION OF LEARNING 
                              IN LOUISIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
prominent institution of learning located in Louisiana's Second 
Congressional District, which I am so proud to represent. Arden Cahill 
Academy was founded in 1968 by Arden and Harry Cahill as a private 
academy dedicated to the interest of early childhood education. As the 
Head Mistress of the academy, Mrs. Cahill chose, Mrs. Diana Wright, 
Mrs. Joy Vickery, Mrs. Dolly Stakelum, Mrs. Patricia McMullen, and Mrs. 
Marjorie Snyder as members of the original faculty. Each of these 
ladies contributed greatly to the creation and formation of the 
philosophy of the academy.
  The history of events leading up to their decision to start a school 
is significant because Mrs. Cahill's prior teaching experiences greatly 
influenced the vision that she had for Arden Cahill Academy. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cahill's interest was to establish a school where the focus would 
be on the whole child. The school's philosophy is ``to create a 
wholesome environment for learning where each child may grow and mature 
intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, and morally to the 
best of his ability. It is the hope that through the good example and 
guidance of dedicated teachers each child will be encouraged to develop 
strength, confidence, and love for his fellow man and inspired to seek 
truth and knowledge.''
  Inspired and encouraged by the successful progress and development of 
the first group of students, Mrs. Cahill made the decision to expand 
the program and continue the process of education by adding one grade 
each year within the elementary school. The first eighth grade 
graduation was held at Lakewood Country Club in May 1977.

[[Page E487]]

  The original school campus consisted of one building on a two-acre 
site and later became the administrative office building. Buildings and 
classrooms were added yearly to accommodate the growing enrollment. The 
buildings were designed to house preschool, kindergarten, and 
elementary classes in separate quarters with special areas for library, 
art, music, and drama. Arden Cahill Academy's expansion did not only 
include classrooms, but they also provided a rich experience for their 
students by adding two swimming pools and an outdoor basketball court.
  From the very beginning, it was Mrs. Cahill's desire to provide an 
airy country environment where children could discover and enjoy God's 
natural gifts while also pursuing knowledge. In 1976, a ten-acre tract 
of land was acquired for the purpose of building a new school. Riding 
stables and a country farmyard were added to the property in the summer 
of 1976 for use in the summer camp program and to offer horseback 
riding as an extra-curricular activity during the regular school year. 
In 1982, Jefferson Parish expropriated the property to build the 
Boudreaux Elementary School. Soon after, a twelve-acre tract in Lake 
Timberlane Estates was purchased for the new school site. In 1985, 
stables and an equestrian arena were erected on the rear of the 
property, Bayou Stables, as it is now called, was used for summer camp 
and extracurricular horseback riding lessons.
  In 1986, construction began on two of the five buildings that 
comprised the master plan. These buildings were designed to provide a 
facility that would complement the academy's curriculum of academic 
excellence and cultural enrichment to finally bring the Cahill's vision 
to life. The buildings situated on Wall Boulevard along Bayou Fatma 
included classrooms, a library, a dining room, an art studio, a music 
room, a 300-seat theatre, a gymnasium, and a junior Olympic swimming 
pool. In September 1988, the first class of students from nursery 
through the eighth grade entered the Wall Boulevard campus while the 
school on Farragut Street continued with an infant and early childhood 
program. The first graduation on the Wall Boulevard Campus was held on 
May 19, 1989. In the summer of 1990, Building B, an 8-classroom 
building, was constructed to house the nursery and preschool making it 
possible to add additional sections in the lower school. In September 
of 1995, the foundation was poured for a 16,000 square foot, two story 
building which was occupied in March of 1996. The new building includes 
14 classrooms, a state-of-the-art science lab, a technologically 
advanced computer lab, and academic offices.
  I am humbled to virtually deliver the keynote address to Arden 
Cahill's first high school graduation. I am equally humbled that my 
great-nephew Cameron Smith is a member of this year's graduating class. 
My nephews, Cameron and Larry both attended Arden Cahill in the most 
difficult times of their life. After the sudden passing of their 
father, Larry Smith, their mother, China Carter Smith went into Kidney 
Failure and had to begin dialysis treatment, while also dealing with 
the COVID-19 Pandemic and battling Cancer. My niece, China and Mrs. E 
Arden Cahill both transitioned in 2021. Mrs. Cahill, after a long 
battle with Alzheimer's passed away on July 15, 2021. Exactly 4 months 
later our sweet China passed away on November 15, 2021. The founders' 
vision to create a school with an intimate setting to incorporate 
nature and natural environments and the arts into an educational 
experience was so important for both Cameron and Larry's educational 
experience and personal development. Today, there are 9 seniors 
graduating. I know this is a hallmark event for them, and for Cameron 
and our family in many ways.
  The Board of Directors of Arden Cahill Academy is comprised of Mr. 
and Mrs. Cahill's children, Harry ``Chip'' Cahill, III, Jack Cahill, 
Mary Kevin Cahill, Kelly Cahill, and Chris Cahill. Carrying on their 
parents' legacy, they remain dedicated to providing the Westbank with 
an exceptional school for years to come. After more than 50 years of 
educating children on the Westbank and the surrounding areas of the 
city, the Cahill family is excited about the expansion plans and looks 
forward to continuing the mission to uphold the standards that Mr. and 
Mrs. Cahill established, thus forever keeping their dream alive. I know 
that this school will be an important fixture in the lives of many to 
come, as it has been for my nephews and my family.
  I am so blessed and grateful to have this opportunity and to extend 
my great-nephew, along with his classmates, well wishes for a 
successful and bright future. My prayer and dream are that each member 
of this class continue to make us proud. And extreme well wishes to 
Arden Cahill Academy, as they continue to change the lives of those 
they educate, the future leaders of this great country. God Bless them 
and their path.

                          ____________________