LDWF Honors Aquatic Volunteer Instructors Honored at Annual Appreciation Banquet
November 12, 2025
LDWF Honors Aquatic Volunteer Instructors Honored at Annual Appreciation Banquet
Aquatic Volunteer Instructors celebrated for their combined 3,700 volunteer
By: Rene LeBreton
Baton Rouge, - Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Fintastic Award recipients receive their awards during the 2025 Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Banquet.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) celebrated their top Aquatic Volunteer Instructors (Aquatic VIP) at an Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, October 30th, 2025 in Baton Rouge, LA. Volunteers who logged a minimum of 15 hours between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, were honored at the banquet for their dedication and impact. Prior to kicking off the banquet and awards ceremony, the Aquatic VIPs attended an extended education presentation about LDWF’s LA Creel program.
Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Rookie of the Year, Nadra DeMagnus, with LDWF Fisheries Outreach & Education Biologist Erin Olson.
Banquet honorees are part of LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program, where they are trained and certified by Fisheries Outreach and Education staff and allow the Department to educate more youth and adults across the state about Louisiana’s fisheries and aquatic resources. Volunteer hours play a vital role in supporting LDWF’s mission, as they are used to match federal funding received through the Sport Fish Restoration fund. In the fiscal year 2024-2025, Aquatic VIPs logged over 3,700 volunteer hours and contributed in-kind match to our federal funding source. Aquatic VIPs and LDWF Fisheries Outreach staff participated in 165 events and had over 17,000 face-to-face interactions. Aquatic VIPs are essential for educating and promoting the wise utilization of Louisiana’s fisheries resources.
Certificates and awards were presented in several categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Fintastic Performance, Outstanding Performance, Fishing Course Series Excellence, Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year, and Aquatic VIP of the Year.
Below are list of the Lifetime Achievement honorees and this year’s awards recipients, including those unable to attend the banquet.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Aquatic VIP of the Year, Jay Schwander, with LDWF Fisheries Outreach & Education Biologist Erin Olson.
Lifetime Achievement Awards celebrate the number of hours an Aquatic VIP dedicates to the program throughout their lifetime as a volunteer. These awards were presented at key milestones of 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 Aquatic VIP hours.
50 VIP Hours
Gary Alipio
David Alphonso, Jr.
John King
Gigi Bertrand
Chandler Aucoin
Kim Lofton
Stephen Casebonne
Leonard Baham
Hank Marchal
Jennifer Cook
Donovan Burke
Sue Marchal
Amanda Marshall
Nancy Burtchaell
Ben Martino
Barbara Morris
Christa Dedebant
Miranda Nunnery
Joey Musso
Brian Hurt
Wanda Stewart
Terry Shelvin
Stephanie Jackson
Diane Weigand
100 VIP Hours
Nadra DeMagnus
Sherry Boudreaux
Tamara McDavid
Brad Dunne
Amanda Clark
Sandi McGrew
Tim Killeen
Ashley Gubancsik
Jamie McLaughlin
Lori Marinovich
Nicholas Henderson
Michael Nolan
Jodi Morton
Robert Johnson
Pam Pearce
Lisa Musso
Pamela Keller
Doreen Rivere
Anna Washington
Eric Lacefield
Michael White-Lewis
Stacy Watts
Keith McDavid
250 VIP Hours
Beth Schwander
Bob Bateman
Joe France
Nancy Walsh
500 VIP Hours
Debrina Baham
Rachel Duplechain
Jay Schwander
Stephanie Vidrine
750 VIP Hours
Don Montgomery
1,000 VIP Hours
Edwin Richards
Fintastic Performance Award
Those who served 40 hours or more during the fiscal year 2024-2025 received the Fintastic Award.
Debrina Baham
Don Montgomery
Terry Shelvin
Nadra DeMagnus
Barbara Morris
Stephanie Vidrine
Brad Dunne
Jodi Morton
Nancy Walsh
Rachel Duplechain
Lisa Musso
Amanda Clark
Tim Killeen
Ed Richards
Nicholas Henderson
Lori Marinovich
Beth Schwander
Miranda Nunnery
Amanda Marshall
Jay Schwander
Pam Pearce
Outstanding Performance Award
Tim Killeen
Beth Schwander
Fishing Course Series Excellence Award
Brad Dunne
Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year
Nadra DeMagnus
Aquatic VIP of the Year
Jay Schwander
Thank you to all of LDWF’s amazing volunteers who dedicate their time and passion towards aquatic and fisheries education!
The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF). LDWF extends its appreciation to the sponsors and donors whose contributions—received by LAWFF—helped support LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet.
Sponsors and donors include Blue Runner Foods, Bob St. Amant, Bon Temps Grill, Candace Alexander Art Studio, Cajun Caviar, Cajun Food Tours, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Eric Lacefield, New Orleans Steamboat Company, Pelican Pointe Carwash, Perino’s Home and Garden, Roots Floral Preservation, Southern Hospitality Kitchens, Tree Frogs Adventure Park, and Wild Birds Unlimited.
The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a USFWS grant program that provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education.
About LAWFF: The Foundation was formed to help expand and support LDWF education and research programs with additional resources developed through its own facilities. Encouraging support for LDWF programs is the major focus of the Foundation, accomplished by connecting people and businesses with Louisiana’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.lawff.org.
About Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation’s 2025 Conservation Raffle:
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), is hosting its inaugural raffle. Supporting ongoing LDWF conservation efforts, the raffle offers outdoor enthusiasts and conservation supporters of Louisiana the chance to win a brand-new Chevy Silverado from your Super Chevy Dealers, valued at $60,000.
Proceeds directly benefit programs led by LDWF, including habitat restoration, wildlife and fisheries research, public access enhancements, and education initiatives.
Open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Contest ends 1/8/26. Click here to view the official rules page.