ASH/Centric: April

APRIL 2021

ASH CENTRIC MAGAZINE

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: SHANE WILLIAMS

ART: IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROO M

TESTING 1,2,3...

STRATEGIES TO SUCCEED.

NEW MEMBERS JOIN STUDENT COUNCIL & NHS

ASH/CENTRIC MAGAZINE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: MRS. DOWNEY WRITERS: A S H LY N N B .

ELIZABETH D. AMELIA M. D A LT O N M .

JACK J. CONNOR N. LANEE L.

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: AMELIA M. HETTIE M. E M I LY F. JACK J. D A LT O N M .

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CONTENTS

Tips on how to Conquer Tests

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Student Council Induction

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Testing 1,2,3...

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National Honor Society Induction

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Express Yourself!

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Alumni Spotlight: Shane Williams

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Senior Night: Baseball

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National Honor Society Induction 2021 By: Sally T. Students were recently inducted to the National Honor Society for the upcoming school year. These students maintain high GPAs, participate in clubs and organizations on campus, and have a commitment to serve our community. This society is sponsored by math and engineering teacher, Mrs. Janet Graff.

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Student Council Induction 2021 Photos by: Michelle V. Student Council members were recently inducted to serve their classes. A new executive team will lead the student body for the 2021-2022 school year.

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spring is here T R OA J N N AT I O N I S TA K I N G A DVA N TAG E O F S P R I N G S P O R T S , T E S T I N G , AND FINISHING THE YEAR STRONG.

By: Ashlynn B.

With a tumultuous start to the school year with a hybrid schedule, the 2020-2021 year has been demanding for students and administration alike. However, with the new availability to the Covid vaccine and Louisiana’s Phase 3 order, the normalcy of life now seems a little more within reach.

Baseball, softball, tennis, and track are all in the prime of their season. Baseball recently dedicated their field to Don Boniol, a former baseball coach at ASH. Both softball and baseball are wrapping up their district season. Track will also be in their district season soon and will be competing in state and regional meets.

State testing is in session and finals will begin soon.

Despite the hardships students have had this year with “A and B days”, getting quarantined, and the overall learning curve to a new way of life on campus, Trojans are finishing the year strong and taking advantage of this spring.

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EXPRESS YOURSELF! H O W O N E S T U D E N T S TA R T E D A B U S I N E S S TO F U E L H E R PA S S I O N F O R C R E AT I N G A R T.

By: Lanee L. Ayden Thomas has been filled with the artistic spirit since she was just a little kid, creating art pieces and being involved in gifted art since the 7th grade.

Thomas began commissioning paintings of animals that would soon allow her to buy her first car and pay for her own gas and daily expenses, at the age of 16. “I love art because I like to see how other people react! It’s great being able to watch people’s reactions, while simultaneously developing my own style into something I love,” Thomas says.

Recently Thomas has been given the opportunity to paint murals on the walls of teacher’s rooms at ASH including Mrs.Downey, the media teacher, and Mrs.Guillory, the environmental science teacher.

“Creating art, I can literally make whatever I want, no matter how crazy or strange it can be at times. It’s a good feeling,” Thomas says.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: SHANE WILLIAMS By: Elizabeth D. As Shane Williams plays many sports at Alexandria Senior High, he notices that famous athletes have contracts with major entities such as Nike and Gatorade. He digs a little deeper on these contracts and discovers that athletes like Michael Jordan aren’t negotiating for themselves; rather, these athletes hire sports agents, in many cases, attorneys, to negotiate on their behalf.

This realization that sports agents are attorneys sparks the beginning of Williams’ career aspirations of becoming an attorney himself.

“Playing sports was what caused me to realize that being an attorney is more than just criminal and civil cases,” Williams stated.

While Williams attended ASH, he played basketball and baseball and also was in powerlifting and on the Student Council. As he progressed through high school, Williams’ Civics and English classes propelled his penchant for writing and government.

After graduating from ASH in 1997, he planned on attending Louisiana State University until his mom introduced him to an Urban Forestry program at Southern University. Williams knew he wanted to go to law school, but he was unsure of an undergraduate major. Therefore, he decided to go to Southern University, earned a scholarship, and was able to walk onto the baseball team.

Williams earned his bachelors and master's degree in Urban Forestry. Following his master’s degree, he attended law school. Upon graduating, Williams moved to Dallas, Tx. to work with the U.S. Small Business Administration in the Disaster Assistance Unity to provide hurricane relief following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Following a desire to serve his hometown and community, he moved back home to Alexandria, La., where he worked in several different positions for the city.

The job he was striving for once he moved home was unfortunately only appointed by the mayor. Therefore, he joined the City of Alexandria Legal Department as Assistant City Attorney. This position allowed him to prove what he could do for Alexandria, saving the city over $1 million in legal expenses in two years.

His work as an assistant paved the wave for him to eventually become the City Attorney--his dream job.

In Williams’ free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events, and playing golf. His love for sports and law is still strong long after his days at ASH. Williams is certified as a sports agent by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

“Pursue your dreams by working your hardest and doing what you love” Williams states. He adds, “It’s not where you start, but where you end.”

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SHANE WILLIAMS.

WILLIAMS SERVES AS T H E C I T Y AT T O R N E Y FOR ALEXANDRIA .

WILLIAMS ENJOYS SPEDNING TIME WITH H I S F A M I LY. H I S W I F E , MYRA, IS A LOCAL T E A C H E R AT P E A B O DY MONTESSORI.

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ASH BASEBALL PHOTOS BY: DALTON M.

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