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Schmidt presents her piece

ARTIST

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but to her, the loss was far more than ﬁnancial.

“It was a sickening feeling,” she recalled. “I remember walking along the river, and I felt like I was looking for a missing person.”

Fortunately the St Bernard Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, the media and thousands of Facebook followers got involved, sharing the story of the Arabi art heist

Two days later, the painting was returned undamaged outside the gate where it had been taken. Two people were arrested soon after Schmidt said she was relieved and grateful to the media outlets that brought attention to the theft and to the law enforcement ofﬁcers who “weren’t sleeping until the painting was found!”

While this event was jarring, Schmidt said such ups and downs are part of her life as an artist. Days before the theft, she had already been on an emotional roller coaster In New Iberia, she had won two of its most prestigious awards at Teche Plein Air Best in Show and Artist Choice. En route to her next event in Florida, her car broke down in Mobile. Her recent prize money would have to cover the cost of a tow truck and a rental car

Several hours later, she was

back on the road, trying to make her morning event in Apalachicola, when she was ticketed for speeding. She ﬁnally arrived, spent the week-

Stores become crowded, gas lines grow longer and stress levels skyrocket. That is why pet preparation should happen now, before panic mode kicks in. Emergency planning for pets means preparing for both possibilities: evacuating and sheltering in place. Ideally, families should have enough food, medications and supplies to care for both people and pets for at least five days, if not longer After going through Hurricane Ida, I learned firsthand how important it is to overprepare. If evacuating takes longer than expected, finding pet supplies, prescription food or medications on the road can be extremely difficult. And if sheltering in place, roads, stores and veterinary offices may remain closed for several days after the storm passes. The more organized we are before hurricane season ramps up, the calmer and safer the experience will be for everyone. Here are some important things pet owners should address now while the forecast is clear:

end painting, picked up her car on her return home, and delivered “Dueling Oak New Orleans City Park” to its fate at the Arabi exhibit.

Choose an evacuation destination early

Whether the plan is Houston, Jackson, Shreveport, Destin, or somewhere in between, decide now where the family would go if an evacuation becomes necessary Once a destination is in mind, research petfriendly hotels, boarding facilities or friends and relatives who can accommodate animals. Trying to ﬁgure out lodging while sitting in evacuation trafﬁc with anxious pets in the car is not the way to go.

Make sure ID is current Collars with ID tags remain one of the fastest ways for a lost pet to be reunited with its family Double-check that tags include current phone numbers and emergency contact information.

Microchips matter

If the pets are not microchipped, the start of hurricane season is a good time to get it done. The procedure takes only seconds at a veterinary ofﬁce and provides permanent identiﬁcation that cannot fall off like a collar

The microchip must also be

Despite the whirlwind, Schmidt is grateful for it all.

“The more you learn, you realize how much you don’t know,” she said. Her focus is on working on larger canvases and learning from the outdoor environment.

“A studio space is static. The outdoors is alive,” she said. Schmidt likens her approach to painting to her yoga practice as a licensed instructor

“When I’m painting, like yoga, I feel connected to my body It’s so peaceful and rewarding. In nature, so many discoveries happen.”

In addition to “Dueling Oak New Orleans City Park,” Schmidt has several other paintings in the Creative Alliance exhibit, which runs through January Her work can also be seen and purchased at several venues across the city, including Second Story Gallery on St. Claude, DBA on Frenchman and Crevasse 22/River House in St. Bernard. Her work has been celebrated at festivals and galleries across the country, and the Louisiana House of Representatives gave her a commendation on May 5 in addition to her cherished winning of the Artist Choice Awards in both New Iberia in 2026 and Pennsylvania in 2025.

“Being recognized by my peers in two different parts of the country is truly gratifying,” Schmidt said. “This

registered and linked to the current contact information. An unregistered microchip does little good.

It is also wise to ask the veterinarian to scan existing chips during annual visits to conﬁrm they are still working properly

Keep paperwork together and waterproofed

Vaccination records, medication lists, veterinary contact information and microchip registration paperwork should be easy to access in an emergency

Many boarding facilities, hotels and veterinary clinics require proof of vaccinations before accepting pets. Keep copies of records in a waterproof bag or container, and save digital copies on a phone as backup.

Stock up on food, water and medications

Have enough to last well beyond a few days. If the pet eats prescription food or takes specialty medications, make sure to have extra supplies before a storm enters the Gulf.

Speaking from experience,

recognition means the most and gives me the motivation to keep going.”

Schmidt’s landscapes also reﬂect her time painting in Wyoming, Florida, Colorado, Idaho and Texas. At a recent event in Galveston, someone purchased one of her works directly off the easel. But Schmidt is seldom quick to let go of her paintings. She has shelves of many of her paintings at home.

“I hold on to certain pieces because they still have something to say to me,” she explained. “They still are talking to me, so I need more time. When the conversation stops you know you are done.”

Schmidt truly loves the challenge of painting her experience in the moment and is driven by the work.

She said being on the road with her easel and canvas is something she wouldn’t trade, but it also inspires her to recruit fellow artists to her hometown. She often organizes Paint the Parish days, so others can experience and enjoy St. Bernard.

“When I’m painting in other places, I realize how much there is to paint here. We have such a beautiful place.” Schmidt also enjoys sharing her talent with other artists as a teacher at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts. She shares work on Instagram under the username sschmidtartist and on her website sabrinaschmidt.me.

bring every medication you may need if evacuating even those your pet is not currently taking daily Ear medications, eye drops and other “just-in-case” items can suddenly become essential when away from home longer than expected.

Prepare carriers and supplies ahead of time

Pet carriers should be sturdy clearly labeled and large enough for animals to stand, turn around and lie down.

Other often-forgotten essentials include leashes, harnesses, cat litter waste bags, towels, cleaning supplies, favorite toys and comfort items that can help reduce stress during an evacuation.

Don’t wait until a storm is approaching

Every hurricane season, we see the same pattern: people scramble for supplies once a storm becomes a potential threat to our area. Preparing early not only makes things easier but can also save lives.

When a storm is approaching, the last thing

anyone wants is to be searching for pet food, digging for vaccine records or trying to ﬁnd the dog carrier A little preparation now can make a very stressful situation far more manageable later

For more information on pet hurricane preparedness, visit https://www louisianaspca.org/pet-care/ disaster-preparedness/ or https://www.ready.gov/pets.

Events

June 7: PetSmart Adoption Event, 6851 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, from noon to 4 p.m. Meet puppies and dogs from Animal Rescue New Orleans. All approved adopters will receive a PetSmart coupon book and a new bed from ARNO. For more information, email adopt@animalrescueneworleans.org.

Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager for Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonproﬁt, volunteerbased, no-kill shelter For more information on ARNO, visit www animalrescueneworleans. org.

Chalmette-based artist Sabrina Schmidt shows art at the New Iberia Teche Plein Air, where she was named Best in Show and Artist Choice.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Sabrina

‘Dueling Oaks,’ valued at $7,500

SCHOOLS

Ursuline Academy of New Orleans held its commencement exercises on May 16, honoring 47 members of the class of 2026.

Dinah Estella Holland, the valedictorian, was a member of the National Honor Society the National Art Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Quiz Bowl, the Peer Ministry Club, the Ursuline Retreat Team, and a Church Buddies leader. She also serves as a leader with the CYO group at her church parish, St. Catherine of Sienna Holland was captain of the cross-country team and a member of the sailing, track and ﬁeld, and tennis teams. She will attend Ole Miss to study biology or biotechnology, to become a cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in pediatric cases.

Salutatorians were Ella Ory and Isabella Quintana.

Ory is a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta, as well

as the Drama Club, Fiber Arts Club, sailing, crosscountry, and bowling teams. She worked with children with special needs at Community Sailing and tutored students at Visitation of Our Lady in reading, math, and STEM. Ory will attend LSU in the fall.

Quintana, an Ursuline legacy, has been an active member of the Student Council, serving as president her senior year She is also a member of the Student Ambassadors, Retreat

Team, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Quiz Bowl, and the Newspaper Club Isabella plans to attend Tulane.

The seniors earned a total of $14.8 million in scholarships, with a class average of more than $250,000 per student, and were accepted to 178 colleges and universities. Ursuline’s highest award, the Courtesy Loyalty and Courage Medal, presented to the senior who has exempliﬁed courtesy, loyalty, and

courage, was awarded to Meredith Becker, who also received the Sister Damian Aycock, OSU Award for outstanding humanitarian service to those inside and outside Ursuline Academy

The Sedes Sapientiae Medal, presented annually to the senior whose scholarship, achievement, and loyalty have been outstanding, was awarded to Olivia Erspamer

The Cor Unum Award, presented by the Ursuline Alumnae Association, honors a class member for their love of Ursuline Academy

and their honest expression of what the academy means to them. The 2026 recipient was Ella Marie Ory

The Sunshine Sister Award, chosen by class members to recognize someone who continues to foster a relationship with the Academy and her class from graduation onward, was given to Gracee Pressley

The Sr Regina Marie Fronmuller Service Award is presented to students who complete more than 100 hours of service each year

This year’s recipients are Estella Holland, Margaret Lob, Grey Pierce, Isabella Quintana, and Ava Sallier

The commencement speaker was Aimee McCarron, a councilmember for District A of the New Orleans City Council and a member of the Ursuline class of 2002. Members of the Ursuline class of 2026 were Jordan Rénee Alexis, Madison Christina Barnes, Meredith Elise Becker, Taylor Michelle Bellaci, Jessica Elizabeth Bialous, Hadley Amalia Bourg,

CLASS OF 2026 GRADUATES FROM KENNER DISCOVERY HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY

Staff report

Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy awarded diplomas to 191 seniors during a May 19 ceremony.

Valedictorian Bailey Burd and salutatorian Caleb Siliezar were recognized Burd was a member of Freshman Academy Mentors, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society National Honor Society, and the music program. She served as a Pathway Ambassador and earned a Gold STEM Seal Diploma Endorsement in Engineering by completing the eight required preengineering courses. Burd, who has attended Kenner Discovery since ﬁfth grade, is the daughter of Melissa Hardy and the stepdaughter of Randy Hardy She plans to attend LSU to pursue a degree in computer science. Siliezar is Kenner Discovery’s first Gates Scholarship recipient. At Kenner Discovery, he was involved in the National Honor Society and the music program and he served as a Pathway Ambassador He earned certiﬁcations in FAA Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations and CompTIA IT Fundamentals Siliezar has attended Kenner Discovery since fourth grade and is the son of William and Juanna Siliezar He will attend Texas A&M in the fall to major in civil engineering

Graduating summa cum laude (4.0 and above) were Chaela Monet Alexander, Ava Angelle Brandt, Mia Michelle Breaux, Blair Ann Burd Bailey Lynne Burd, Avid Andree Cardona, Gabriella Nevaeh Daneshrad, Mia Fuentes, Ariana Gonzalez-Ortiz, Lyndsey Blaire Griffith, Manjari Guha Rand Mohamed Hashi, Mar-

garita Varuzhan Isakhanyan, Laila Marie James, Claire Elizabeth Knoth, Brianna Soary Litolff, Yesica Mareli Maldonado, Julia Malak Mankarious, Emelyn Loany Mendoza-Acosta, Miguel Angel Menendez-Hernandez, Camden Reid Miller, Curry Cassin Muller, Jaden Evans Newman, Ala Ziad Odetallah, Katie Elizabeth Orgeron, Miley Vy Pham, Isabella Mina Dao Phan, Brandon Anthony Poulin, Soﬁa Maria Rico, Connor Patrick Rogan, Isabella Veronica Romero, Jamani R’dayja Sandifer, Kennedy Gabrielle Seals, Nema Sanaa Shaw, Caleb Alejandro Siliezar Nevaeh Faith Smith, Peyton Melanie Tablas, Roman TaiHung Tran, Jorge Anthony Vazquez, Alyssa Kaitlyn Verrette, Minh Ha Duc Vo and Isaiah Stone Vogel. Graduating magna cum laude (3.75-3.99) were Grayson Philip Broussard, Brenden Douglas Hebert, Mason Maximus Holt, Samirah Aishani Jasmine, Yusra Naveed Khan, Noor Fatima Khan, Dylan Michael Lanclos, Olivia Marie Lassalle, and Desteny Valentina MartinezRodriguez.

Graduating cum laude (3.50-3.74) were Danniel

Luis Aguilar, Jaelynn Adriana Alcantara, Rosaleen Nicole Alvarado, Henry Alexis Bernal-Parra Jr., Jude Dean Caldcleugh, Sophia Marie Caronna, Antonio Edward Castro, Isabella Sofia Colindres, Jeancarlos José Contreras-Tinoco, Addison Grace Diaz, Isabella Michelle Driscoll, Nestor Duarte-Bonilla, Sage Lily Mae Eilers, John Michael Gross, Samuel Paul Hassenboehler, Grace Marie Hernandez, Tayler Morgan Hoggatt, Gavin Michael Lewis, Za’Kaiya Reahanna Lewis, Emily Sophia MenaAguilar, Sophia Paola Orellana Sebastian Martin Ortiz Jack Aiden Ratcliff, Kara Marie Rodriguez, Madigan Marie Sanchez, Lilly Rose Smith, and Katherine Gisselle Vasquez. The class collectively received $3 million in scholarships and awards, excluding TOPS. 94% were accepted to a college or university, and 45% earned the honor graduate distinction for a GPA above 3.5. Jaden Newman, Kenner Discovery’s first National Merit finalist, will attend LSU as a pre-med major The senior class accumulated 663 college credit

hours through Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment courses in partnership with Southeastern Louisiana University Students in the class earned 326 careerbased certifications. This included six seniors who obtained the FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) Certification; 41 who became Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA); 22 who are Certified Patient Care Technicians (PCT); 58 who achieved Adobe Certified Specialist status; 23 who earned ServSafe certifications; and 14 who earned a CompTIA (IT) certification In addition, 85% of seniors earned a platinum, gold, or silver ACT/WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate. Forty-two seniors were recognized as Homegrown Heart honorees, a distinction awarded to those who completed 13 years of their education at Kenner Discovery Among the class members, 53% participated in a sport offered at Kenner Discovery, and 58% were involved in at least one student organization. Seniors completed more than 10,356 hours of community service in the local community

Joey Belle Brady, Semaj Taylor Brisco, Hannah Roselynn Brown, Laila Nicole Cooper, Kaybree Anai Cushenberry, Corinne Louise DeBlanc, Emma Kay Dunkin, Olivia Ann Erspamer, Carley Nicole Eschete, Abbegail Beatrice Flair, Mylah Breanna George, Dinah Estella Holland, Aribelle DeBroeck Holley, Ky’Raneisha Bon’Quelle Jefferson, Macy Marie Krebs, Margaret Elizabeth Lob, Julie Ann Mavor, Madison Ava McGeathy, Megan Elizabeth McGeathy, Madeline Elise Murray, Ella Marie Ory Sloane Grey Pierce, Taylor Michelle Pierre, Gracee Rae Pressley, Kylah D’Laci Prevost, Emma August Pscenicka, Isabella Melysse Quin, Isabella Estapa Quintana, Vivian Rose Reece, Adelaide K. Richter, Cambrey Addison Rufﬁn, Ava Coryn Sallier, Riley Grace Schmidt, Azaliah Kimora Sutherland, Camy Elizabeth Weber, Arden Danielle Weiser, Savannah Lauren Weiser Milena Cherie White, Rita Mae White, Jasmine Mariah Williams and Lillian Clare Mary Wiseman