GROVES — Debbie Broussard has touched many lives in the 40 years since she opened Debbie’s Dance, Etc.

Through those years she has nurtured a relationship with each of the girls and knows them all by name. She’s also committed time to help others and be a vibrant part of the community.

So, on stormy Thursday, under the pretense of attending a meeting about the Groves Pecan Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant, Broussard entered the chamber of commerce office and was met by family and friends as she was named the Groves Small Business of the Year.

Broussard’s longtime friend Charmain Taylor was on hand for the brief ceremony.

“Debbie has been my best friend for more than 30 years. I’m proud of her. She’s worked long and hard to get where she is,” Taylor said. “What I admire about her is that she knows very kids’ name that she has and she loves each and every student as her own.”

Taylor’s daughter, Whitney Howard, was a dance student at Debbie’s studio and now her granddaughter, Aniston Howard, 5, is a student.

Jeffrey Kuchar nominated Broussard for the designation. In his letter he spoke of how many of her students dance through high school and go on to study dance in college.

“She has many students who have gone on to dance professionally and own their own studios,” Kuchar said. “She encourages her students to be the best, helps them to become confident and builds up their self-esteem all with a loving heart.”

Another testament to Broussard is her special relationship with a little girl named Avery Guerra and dedication to helping children with heart defects.

Guerra, of Groves, was born with a complex congenital heart defect and served as mascot at the dance studio. She passed away at the age of 4 in 2008.

Guerra often accompanied Broussard when they delivered meals to Guerra’s grandfather, Dave Bleakley.

“Avery and I used to bring him supper. She would carry it in saying ‘meals o wheels.’ After she passed I kept seeing commercials for Meals on Wheels and would bawl,” Broussard said. She took this as a sign and got involved with the organization.

Every year Broussard helps head an annual event that raises money for the Avery Anne Guerra Memorial Foundation that provides scholarships to high school seniors in her name and provide financial support to struggling families in the community who have a child with heart defects such as Guerra.

Broussard actually began teaching the arts while still in high school though she doesn’t count this officially.

“I taught the kids in my neighborhood in my mom’s living room,” Broussard said. “Later after I was married I turned the den in our house into a studio.”

Her first studio outside her home was on Main Avenue in Groves, and then she moved the business to the Cambridge Square area followed by a spot in the Griffing Park area of Port Arthur.

The final move was to 6498 32^nd St. in Groves.

Broussard recently celebrated 40 years in the business and brought back scores of former students for a “Looking Back Dancing Forward” recital. She called the experience, awesome.

Members of the Groves Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Center hosted Thursday’s surprise event. Ronnie Boneau, executive director of the chamber, said Broussard will also be honored during a banquet later this month.

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews