1977 – Delegate from Patterson High School
Currently – Community Volunteer, Mandeville
Vickie Guzzino came to LYS as a delegate in 1977. She was selected as the “Most Outstanding Group Leader” from her Home Group and was selected as the 1977 LYS “Most Spirited.” Vickie returned as a Junior Counselor in 1978 and 1979, as a Counselor in 1980 and 1981, as a Staff Assistant in 1982 and 1983, and as Assistant Program Director in 1984. Vickie was inducted into the LYS 5 Year Club and the LYS Hall of Fame. She serves as Chair, Board of Directors, on the Board Fund Development Subcommitte, and as Co-Chair, LYS Alumni Annual Fund.
Upon graduation from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, Vickie pursued a career in hotel management serving as Catering Sales Manager at nationally recognized Hilton and Sheraton hotels. With increased responsibilities, she moved on to serve as Director of Special Events and as Director, Searle Conference Center, at the Duke University Medical Center. Although Vickie left the corporate world, she continued to exhibit her leadership in her community. She has served on the Board of Saint Scholastica Academy and the Rich Mauti Cancer Fund Tennis Tournament. She is an active volunteer at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Demonstrating her commitment for civic involvement, Vickie serves as an Elections Commissioner in St. Tammany Parish. Vickie and her husband, Dr. Steve Guarisco, live in Mandeville with their two children, Nick and Elizabeth. Elizabeth has attended and loves LYS.
Vickie continues to be very active in LYS and is committed to the youth of Louisiana. When asked about LYS’s impact on her, Vickie responded: "LYS, what has it done for me? How do you explain the unexplainable? The program has given me strength, confidence, lasting friendships, and hope. It has filled a special place in my heart that I didn't know was missing."
Inside Northshore featured Vickie Guarisco as part of its women in business series in 2009. See the article below:
THERE ARE TWO GOOD REASONS Vickie Guarisco works hard as chair of Louisiana Youth Seminar. As a former participant in 1978, she knows firsthand its value; as mother of two, Nick and Elizabeth, she wanted to make sure LYS would be there for them, too.
Founded in 1971, LYS is a non-profit organization staffed almost entirely by volunteers and dedicated to youth leadership training. The seminar covers communication, setting and achieving goals, team building, self-confidence, conducting effective meetings, problem-solving skills and more.
Vickie has fond memories of LYS and credits it with helping her in her adult life, providing her with “strength, confidence, lasting friendships and hope.” These have proven to be valuable tools for success during her years in the hospitality industry (catering sales manager for Hilton and Sheraton and director of the Searle Conference Center at Duke University Medical Center), as well as in her extensive volunteer work.
A member of the St. Scholastica Academy Parent Board, the Rich Mauti Cancer Fund Tennis Tournament Board and a volunteer at Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Vickie believes in giving back to her community. Especially active with LYS, she has been inducted into the LYS Hall of Fame, and presently serves as LYS chair and the LYS Alumni Annual Fund co-chair. It is her goal to endow LYS with $1 million raised through philanthropic and business contributions, as well as alumni donations.
Each year, Vickie and husband Dr. Steve Guarisco provide LYS scholarships to her high school in Patterson, La., as well as to local schools. It is not uncommon to have those they sponsor comment, “You changed my life by sending me to LYS.”
“That’s what keeps me coming back,” says Vickie.