Nina Noelle Russell, CYT Student
Alexandra Gandy, CYT Student
Daidra LeJeune is the Social Coordinator for CYT Lake Charles. She is a Texas native but has made her home in Grand Lake with her husband Beau and two daughters, Regan and Randilyn. Daidra received her BS in Nursing from University of Texas in Arlington and has worked as a Registered Nurse for over 20 years. She also has experience working as a substitute teacher at Grand Lake High School. Daidra found CYT through Facebook and knew immediately that this was where her daughter Randilyn belonged! Daidra is passionate about sharing CYT with our community and she can’t wait to meet and connect with families through our social media platforms!
I am just so blessed to be Show Coordinator for CYT-Lake Charles! I’ve always had a real love for music and performance but my love of theatre truly came from my niece Leslie who inspired me to audition for my first show after watching her on stage! Now we are hooked and that’s all we do! I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with a few local community theatres and be in productions such as Grease and Hairspray. I’ve met so many amazing people and I love sharing this passion with my family! I reside in Sulphur with my husband DJ and our 2 amazing kiddos Emma and Noah. I look forward to working with your children and helping them to create memories they will never forget!
Abigail is the HYPE leader for CYT - Lake Charles Before starting her position, Abigail worked as Stage Manager for "Annie,Jr" and as a class session teacher. Continuing her work with CYT HQ, Abigail can be seen as a member of CYT’s EXPO Crew. She is incredibly excited to continue her CYT journey working with our teenagers in developing our HYPE program. Native to Lake Charles, Abigail has worked with numerous theatre companies in the area in Directing, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Sound Operation and much more! As a graduate of McNeese State University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in English Education along with a Minor in Theatre, she is looking forward to sharing her passion for the arts in this new and exciting position!
Jessica Menard is the class coordinator for CYT-Lake Charles. She currently resides in Sulphur with her husband and their three children. She was the director for a local child care center and has over eight years experience working with children. She attended McNeese State University and majored in Early Childhood Development. She has a passion for CYT and is thankful to have been a part of it's beginning. Watching the students thrive has been a joy!
Stefanie is excited to be serving as the new CYT Camp Coordinator. She resides in Westlake with her husband, Israel, and their three children, Caleb, Cooper, and Cicily. Stefanie graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor's degree in Child Life and Early Childhood Education. She then earned her Master's Degree from Lamar State University in School Counseling and Leadership/Administration. Stefanie has been employed by Calcasieu Parish School Board for the last 18 years. Her teaching career consists of 16 years in elementary education and currently as the school counselor at Westwood Elementary. Stefanie is an active member of First Baptist Church in Westlake serving in Kid Ministry as a nursery school leader. She is an energetic and outgoing person who looks forward to creating an environment that will help children build lasting friendships and great memories.
Chelle is our Design Artist at CYT. She produces a wide range of art throughout our company. From social media, t-shirts, and advertisements to bringing stage sets to life with paint and faces into character with makeup. Chelle is a native of Sulphur where she and her husband raised their two boys. She has an Associates Degree in Commercial Art and is also a freelance artists with murals in multiple homes and schools in the Sulphur and Lake Charles area. Chelle is excited to share in the opportunity that CYT brings to the area that gives kids a positive place to ACT UP!
Cammie serves as Board Secretary at CYT-LC. She is a Lake Charles native. Cammie graduated from Barbe High School. She earned her bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from McNeese State University, where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. While at McNeese she met her husband, Bob Corley. Cammie and Bob have 3 boys, Austin, Brayden, and Clay. She has been the Financial Assistant at Trinity Baptist Church for over 20 years. Prior to this position, she was the Director of Trinity Baptist Church's After School and Summer Programs for elementary children for several years. She finds it very rewarding to see her former daycare kids bringing their kids to participate in CYT.
Chris serves as the Board Vice Chair for CYT-LC. Chris was born and raised in Lake Charles. He graduated from St. Louis High School and then got a B.A. in Economics and a minor in Speech from Louisiana State University. After a brief time working in Atlanta, he moved back to Baton Rouge and obtained a law degree from LSU. He is an attorney with Baggett, McCall, Burgess, Watson, Gaughan, and Andrus. He and his wife Julie have two daughters, Katie and Emma. Chris enjoys working with organizations involving children and he previously served as a Big Brother with the Big Brother Big Sisters program and was a long time Board Member with Education and Treatment Council Inc.
Tynia Coleman, M. Ed., LPC, NCC is a Life Transitions Trauma Therapist and Coach. Tynia cofounded Whole Life Solutions a coaching and. Counseling practice with her husband in 2020. Where there goal Is to help others heal from past experiences, so that they can be the best version of themselves. A proud graduate of both McNeese State University with a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences; Concentration in Family and Child Studies and Lamar State University with an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Tynia has a background in education and ministerial administration. Tynia discovered her love for the arts in childhood. While attending her first opera and ballet during elementary school. Tynia found a place of belonging in school and church choirs. She currently serves as a member of the worship team at Christian World Church. Tynia’s most grateful to serve and do life with her husband Glenn Coleman and their daughters Bethany and Bailey.
Chris serves a board member for CYT- LC. Chris is proud to have been born and raised in SWLA. He is a graduate of St. Louis High School and McNeese State University. He served in the Lake Charles Memorial Health system in multiple clinical and management roles for over 12 years. Chris then worked in a number of technical sales and marketing roles for Philips Healthcare for over 13 years. The tech start up world called and for four years, Chris was an early part of the Waitr. He now is working to bring ice cream and frozen pop joy with BOOMBOX. Chris is married to Mia and they have 4 awesome children. Chris enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and all the other activities that SWLA has to offer. He is a big fan of CYT and the awesome opportunities it brings for the young people and community of SWLA.