by Leah Jackson
Friends of Jessica Avelis-Fontenot have created a scholarship in her memory to benefit a Northwestern State University student majoring in English education.
Avelis-Fontenot, a long-time teacher at Natchitoches Central High School lost her battle with cancer Aug. 16.
Avelis-Fontenot was a “daughter, wife, mother, educator and devout Christian,” said her friend Dr. John Dunn, who initiated the scholarship. “She was very passionate about ‘her kids’ she taught at Natchitoches Central High School. She ran the English department there for a number of years and was the past sponsor of the Chiefettes pep squad.”
Aviles-Fontenot is survived by her mother Karen, brother Nick, husband Jeff, son “AD,” and niece Annabelle. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where she helped implement the Trinity VBS, assisted with youth Christian education and participated in Episcopal Faith Ministries.
“She loved to travel to visit family, go to the beach, play board and card games and read. She was an avid gamer, and would often her session for our children to participate in,” Dunn said. “She had a chosen family that had known her for more than 20 years. Jessica is such a part of our lives, and I can’t think of anything more appropriate than to have her memory live on in a scholarship where she can continue to be an influence for English education.”
Friends may contribute to the scholarship by visiting https://northwesternstatealumni.com/jessica-scholarship/.
