Why is the Teche Area important to you?

The Teche Area is more than just a place—it’s a way of life. While we may not have the best weather, there is nowhere else in the world with the same culture, community, and deep-rooted kindness that we have here. A friend of mine recently moved here from New York, and as a lifelong New Yorker, she has been absolutely amazed by the warmth and hospitality of the people. She loves how “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” are second nature, and how friendly and welcoming everyone is.

Our area is set apart by our unique last names, distinct accents, and traditions that you won’t find anywhere else in the state. Living in Texas for a year gave me an even greater appreciation for home—there truly is no place like it. One of the most incredible things about the Teche Area is how quickly our community comes together in times of need. Whether it’s a hurricane, storm, or any kind of hardship, people here step up without hesitation, offering a helping hand with no expectations in return. After our own tragedy, we experienced this generosity firsthand. We were placed on a meal train for weeks, had countless needs taken care of before we even had to ask, and felt an overwhelming outpouring of love and support. It’s something I will never forget.

The Teche Area isn’t just where I live—it’s part of who I am. Our culture, our people, and our deep sense of connection make this place truly one of a kind.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

The definition of fun has certainly changed since the tragedy that reshaped every aspect of my life. These days, I find joy in the quieter moments—what some might consider a slower way of living. I love spending time on my patio when the weather is nice, simply soaking in the peace. I also love going for coffee with my mom—even if it’s multiple times a day. It’s something small but meaningful, and those moments of connection mean the world to me.

Traveling has also become an important part of my life. After experiencing such a life-altering loss, finding joy again was difficult, but being able to explore new places and make memories brings light back into our lives. Whether it’s a girls’ trip with my mom, mother-in-law, and daughter—shopping, eating out, and enjoying time together—or a peaceful getaway to the mountains with my husband, traveling has given me something to look forward to again. But no matter where I go, traveling also makes me appreciate the comfort of home even more.

What are your hobbies?

I’ve always enjoyed watching sports, and I love following LSU softball, baseball, football, and basketball. It’s something that keeps me engaged and brings excitement, whether I’m watching from home or in person.

Traveling has also become more than just a way to have fun—it has turned into something I truly enjoy planning and experiencing. Exploring new places, trying different foods, and immersing myself in different cultures have become things I appreciate on a deeper level. But as much as I love to travel, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of coming home.

While my interests may have shifted over time, my hobbies reflect the things that bring me peace, connection, and moments of joy in my everyday life.

Who are your role models?

One of the most influential people in my life is Reecie Gilmore. Before our tragedy, I had never heard of her or her organization, The RescYOU Group. But less than 12 hours after losing my siblings, Reecie reached out to me, immediately offering her support, and she has been a constant source of comfort ever since.

Reecie’s own loss is what inspired her mission. In 2008, she lost her baby boy, Clint Ryan, in a drowning accident. After experiencing firsthand the deep isolation that comes with child loss, she realized there were no organizations dedicated to walking alongside grieving parents in their darkest moments. So instead of waiting for that support to exist, she created it herself. She founded The RescYOU Group, a nonprofit that provides emotional and financial support to families who have suffered the loss of a child.

Reecie’s unwavering dedication is what inspired us to start Simmons 3. Without her guidance and encouragement, we wouldn’t be the organization we are today. What makes her so remarkable is that she carries this mission on her shoulders, yet she somehow manages to embrace every grieving parent she meets with warmth and understanding. Time and time again, she steps into the rawest, most heartbreaking moments—walking into hospital rooms and homes where parents have just lost their child. She could easily allow the weight of her own grief to pull her under, but instead, she faces each encounter with strength, selflessness, and compassion.

Reecie doesn’t just run a nonprofit—she lives her mission every single day. She is proof that even after unimaginable loss, it is possible to turn pain into purpose. Because of her, so many families, including mine, have found hope and support when we needed it most. I can only hope to make even half the impact that she has on the lives of grieving families.

What are some of your plans or goals?

To understand where I am today and where I’m headed, it’s important to share a bit about where I came from. I graduated from New Iberia Senior High in 2008 and later earned my degree in Health Information Management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2016. I spent five years as a Coding Integrity Specialist for Christus, a hospital system based in Texas. I truly loved my work—I was challenged daily, and I excelled in my field.

But after the tragedy that changed every part of my life, I was no longer the same person. My drive and motivation disappeared, and the passion I once had for my career was gone. Instead, my heart was pulled in a new direction—one I never expected but one that I knew I had to follow. I made the choice to step away from my career to dedicate myself fully to Simmons 3, the nonprofit my family and I started in honor of Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn.

In the months after the crash, my mom and I were pushed into the world of impaired driving victims, and we saw firsthand the desperate need for education and awareness in our community. South Louisiana is known for its culture of celebration, which often includes drinking. While we fully support people enjoying themselves, we believe it’s critical to educate them on how to do so safely.

Our journey with impaired driving education began when Sudden Impact, a powerful program focused on preventing distracted and impaired driving, reached out to us. Since then, our story has become the centerpiece of their program. We travel throughout the state, sharing our story with high school students, and even when we can’t present in person, our filmed testimony ensures that Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn’s story continues to be heard.

We are determined to change the culture around drinking and driving. Our long-term goals include:

• Expanding programs like Sudden Impact and the Domino Effect to more schools across Louisiana and beyond so that every student has the opportunity to hear this life-saving message.
• Implementing impaired driving education in all driver’s education courses, ensuring that young drivers understand the risks before they ever get behind the wheel.
• Growing Simmons 3 into a sustainable nonprofit so that, one day, we can financially support victims of impaired driving—whether it’s covering funeral costs, hospital expenses, or lost wages.

We still have a long way to go, but every time we receive testimonies from students who say our presentation changed the way they think about drinking and driving, we are reminded that our work is making a difference. Our story is saving lives, and that alone makes every step of this journey worth it.