The Lycée extends a big congratulations to Vannina Boussouf and Nicolas L’Hotellier, who lead our Primary and Secondary schools, respectively, for being honored with the Ordre des Palmes Académiques. In a ceremony on Monday night at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy on 5th Avenue, they were each presented with the insignia of Chevalier of the order by the French Minister of Education, M. Jean-Michel Blanquer. The award is in recognition of their outstanding contributions to academia, education and culture.
“It is a pleasure and an honor for me to be able to pay homage to the people being decorated tonight,” M. Blanquer said to the crowd of distinguished guests. Faculty and friends raised their glasses in a toast as M. Blanquer pinned the traditional medals onto the left breasts of each of the five recipients. Our team was honored alongside teachers from the French Academy of New Jersey and the French American School of Princeton.
“Beaucoup d’émotions se bousculent: fierté, joie, excitation mais aussi humilité et reconnaissance. Si je ne devais en retenir qu’une, ce serait la gratitude,” said Mrs. Boussouf. “Je tiens à remercier du fond du coeur le Lycée et sa communauté qui m’ont accueillie chaleureusement il y a 11 ans et particulièrement les membres de son conseil d’administration que je vois œuvrer bénévolement et sans relâche pour que notre chère école permette à tous nos élèves de devenir des citoyens accomplis et éclairés, capables des rêves les plus grands.”
Mrs. Boussouf joined the Lycée in 2007 to lead the Primary School. She has an extensive background in international education, with a special focus on early childhood development and well-being in bilingual settings. She has taught all levels of elementary school and has held different functions and leadership roles within many schools in France and the United States.
Nicolas L’Hotellier joined the Lycée in 2009 as assistant head of school and director of the Secondary School. He is a former math teacher, and he also served as the assistant principal at schools in Seine Saint Denis and in Villers-Cotterêts. Mr. L’Hotellier holds a Masters in Management specializing in the administration of public educational organizations. His aim as an educator is to foster curiosity in his students and encourage respect for others.
“Dans son message d’introduction le Ministre a rappelé brièvement l’histoire de cette distinction en la liant à la fonction de l’Ecole comme le creuset des valeurs républicaines et souligné les enjeux qui s’imposaient aujourd’hui à nous, en particulier celui de concilier les valeurs humanistes et la technologie,” a dit Nicolas L’Hotellier. “Sur un plan plus personnel, la cérémonie a été bien évidemment un moment très émouvant et j’ai été très touché de l’évocation de notre école comme un laboratoire où s’esquissent des modèles et des programmes originaux dans un monde de l’éducation qui lui-même connaît des transformations de si grande envergure.”
Established by Napoleon in 1808, the Ordre des Palmes Académiques was once meant for distinguished teachers and professors at the University of Paris. That changed in 1955, when the order was opened up to recognize figures in the larger world of Francophone education. Of the order’s three ranks, Commandeur, Officier, and Chevalier, Mrs. Boussouf and M. L’Hotellier received the Chevalier. They will be eligible for promotion to the next tier in five years’ time!
Palmes Académiques is a beautiful and well-respected medal. The Lycée’s own logo, with its interlacing crown of laurel and olive branches, is modeled after its design. Also of note: our Director of Cultural Events, Pascale Richard, was awarded the Legion d’Honneur last Spring for her work in promoting French and Francophone culture in the United States.
“I want to salute the honorees’ families and friends, and above all their project of French-American collaboration and friendship,” said M. Blanquer.
“We are beyond proud to welcome such luminaries and extraordinary human beings into our midst,” says Audrey Peverelli, Head of School. “Congratulations to Vannina, Nicolas and Pascale!”
Here’s to the new school year, and to many more after that!
About the Author :
Rachel Veroff joined the Lycée’s Communications team in 2018. She brings to the school her interest in storytelling and bilingual culture.