Livingston Parish Library locations will be closed June 19 to commemorate Juneteenth.
All summer branches have a busy schedule for the family throughout the summer Check out these events at the Denham Springs-Walker branch. To register or for information, call (225) 686-4140 or visit mylpl. info.
Box of Chocolates Book Club (ages 18+):
2 p.m. Thursday Are you an avid reader or are you just looking for some great new titles to try? Box of Chocolates discusses a wide variety of books throughout the year
Perler Bead Dino (ages 6-12): 6 p.m
Thursday Make your own dino, or dino-magnet, with perler beads! Registration is required.
Afternoon Board Games (ages 18+): 1 p.m
Saturday Board gaming is booming. Explore the library’s collection, which includes everything from classics like Scrabble and Yahtzee to modern hits like Space Base and Forest Shuffle. Space available for tabletop role-playing.
Landscape on Glass (ages 18+): 6 p.m
Tuesday Capture the beauty of a new moon over a pine forest as you learn how to paint a miniature landscape on glass. Registration is required.
St. Francis garage sale
St. Francis Episcopal Church, 726 Maple St., in Denham Springs is holding a garage sale June 19-20.
Shoppers will find a variety clothes, toys, home décor, tools, housewares and more. Proceeds support the mission and ministry of St. Francis Episcopal, which holds worship services at 10 a.m Sundays.
For information, call the church office at (225) 225-665-2707 or visit stfrand.org.
Heritage Camp for kids
Register your child for Heritage Kids’ Camp on July 20-22 at the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church. Children ages 4-12 can take part in arts and crafts, kifli making and learning Hungarian words, dances and traditions. The camp is hosted by the Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association. For information, call Connie Olah at (225) 573-1400
Springfield’s 4th is on June 28
Springfield Fire Department is the place to celebrate the Fourth of July at 4 p.m. June 28 with a kids’ parade, music, watermelon see-spitting contest, food, fireworks and more activities.
Celebration in the park
Walker is celebrating freedom from 2 p.m. until dark July 4 at Sidney Hutchinson Park in Walker Music vendor’s market, food trucks, a kids’ village and fireworks are on tap for the day
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 603-1998.
HOT ON THE COURT
Summer basketball league helps players hone skills, develop teamwork
When it comes to sporting events, there aren’t many things that are more relaxed than summer league basketball games. The clock is always running, referees rarely blow their whistles, and when they do, there is never more than one foul shot, if any, that is awarded.
Denham Springs junior in tight QB battle
BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer
Denham Springs quarterback Andre Adams felt a calling to join the Yellow Jackets. After a year at Prairieville High School, Adams joined Denham Springs, where he backed up former All-Metro MVP Da’Jean Golmond last year
Now, the junior enters a quarterback battle with sophomore Devin Kinchen, and Adams is in the mix to guide a young Denham Springs football team that graduated 41 seniors.
“It was like something on my chest,” Adams said “I wanted to come here and take the spot.” Denham Springs coach Brett Beard has liked the competition so far between Adams and Kinchen as they look to take over a team that went 8-3 last season.
“I love the battle,” Beard said. “(They are) two dudes we think could be really good high school
ä See QB, page 2G
Denham Springs Junior a Model School
Community news report
Denham Springs Junior High School has been named a 2026 Model School.
The school will be recognized at the 2026 Model School Conference on June 28 to July 1 in Orlando, Florida.
On the other side, Denham Springs played like a team that wanted to use its court time to the best of its ability The Yellow Jackets played Oak Forest
Like a hard day of practice, there is a focus on effort and not as much of an urgency to outscore opponents. Last week, while watching Denham Springs play against Dunham at Parkview Baptist, this was apparent when no one seemed to notice that one of the Tigers goals wasn’t put up on the scoreboard. No one noticed. Even if they did, nothing was said.
Academy before its contest with Dunham to set up back-to-back contests that took about two hours to complete.
For the record, Denham Springs defeated Oak Forest 78-40 before it took
The Center for Model Schools, which is sponsoring the conference, honors “forward-thinking schools that drive transformation, inspire change and implement groundbreaking strategies to improve student outcomes,” a news release said.
More than 5,000 nationwide educators are expected to participate in the conference’s presentations and discussions.
See MODEL, page 2G
Hammond students use recycled beads in art projects
BY RICHARD MEEK
Contributing writer
As a longtime art teacher who brings a passion to her classroom at Tucker Elementary School in Hammond, Amanda King-Bayer embraces the notion that one of her most important responsibilities is delivering social and emotional learning to her students. She encourages her students to use art to express themselves in a healthy manner as they learn about the culture of art and develop their own personalities. Of course, sprinkling in a
bit of fun with a local twist never disappoints, to either her or her students. During the spring semester, King-Bayer developed a project that allowed her students to create a gumbo of the local flavor of Mardi Gras and art by repurposing recycled beads into colorful mosaics The resulting pieces were brilliant in their color, designs only limited by the creatively of each young artist. Those mosaics were recently displayed at the Swamplight Theatre in Ponchatoula, debuting at an opening May 19 that also included entertain-
ment by local musician Terry King, King-Bayer’s father King-Bayer said she first had the students prep the necessary art materials followed by sketching renderings designs in their sketchbooks. From there, students were guided by their own taste in color and parameters of their imaginations.
“It is all about expressing our individuality who we are, what makes us unique and celebrating them,” King-Bayer said. She bases her arts cur-
Amanda King-Bayer, a teacher at Tucker Elementary School in Hammond, and her father, local musician Terry King, attend an opening night celebration of the exhibit.
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
Families of Amanda King-Bayer’s students view their art mosaics during the opening night of the exhibition May 19 at the Swamplight Theater in Ponchatoula.
PHOTOS BY CHARLES SALZER
Denham Springs coach Kevin Caballero diagrams a play during a summer league basketball game against Oak Forest Academy at Parkview Baptist.
Devin Kinchen on defense during a summer basketball league game at Parkview Baptist.
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
Walker High graduate named national Merit Scholar
Community news report
Walker High School 2026 graduate Collin Sprouse has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholar, an honor bestowed this year on 6,700 students across the nation
Sprouse received word last fall that he had been named one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
“A much-earned congratulations goes out to Collin, his parents and his academic counseling team at Walker High School for staying the course for this award. This is quite an honor to be celebrated,” Livingston Parish schools Superintendent Jody Purvis said.
During his senior year, Sprouse was named the Walk-
er High Student of the Year, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, a member of WAFB’s Best of Class, captain of the Walker High boys soccer team and finalist for the Louisiana Soccer Association’s 2026 Young Referee of the Year
Sprouse said plans to study biology and nursing in college to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a ca-
reer he gained a passion for after founding KidCreations, a volunteer service organization that assembles and delivers activity bags to pediatric patients.
Sprouse graduated with a 4.2 GPA and a composite score of 35 on the ACT He accumulated 58 college credit hours through Walker High School’s dual enrollment and AP courses.
ART
Continued from page 1G
riculum on art history, noting that Louisiana art is culturally relevant.
The students also completed a project on pop art shortly before the summer break.
King-Bayer said she is passionate about allowing children to maintain their emotional control showed how
MODEL
Continued from page 1G
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official had to submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provided information about the qualifying student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
art can be critical in helping them in the process through an art strong curriculum.
“In art you process when you create,” she said. “It is the magic that happens.
“You can connect the dots and so many things can roll with it.”
King-Bayer said her students have fun, which she said is always the ultimate goal. And tossing in a bit of Mardi Gras magic is a bit of lagniappe.
Community news report
Sixty-four 4-H
quarterbacks for us, and they have a chance to play beyond.”
Beard said the key will be how they handle the competition
“I’m really excited to watch them just go blow for blow and just keep getting after each other,” Beard said. “At the end, iron sharpens iron, and that’s how we go about business.”
Both quarterbacks have their strengths. Beard said Kinchen has a better grasp of the offensive scheme, while Adams possesses better physical attributes including a stronger arm.
“That’s the two different worlds right there,” Beard said. “One’s got a better understanding of the offense, and one’s got a better arm, can make some of the throws.”
On Wednesday, Adams fired passes in 7-on-7 games against
Dutchtown and Episcopal.
He hopes to continue honing his ability to understand the offense and take what the defense gives him.
He understands the transition to a new playbook will take time.
“I’m going to be honest, it was hard,” Adams said “It was a lot to remember, but once you keep going over it by yourself at home, just keep learning, you’re going to adjust to the team.”
While the team graduated several top skill players, Denham Springs returns some key receivers.
“Trey Seals is back, who was a huge piece of our success last year,” Beard said, “and just a dude that’s just honing in on his game and getting better every day.”
The team also features the 6-foot-4 Aiden Davis, who could be a matchup problem for defenses. Another receiving threat is junior Jaylen Williams.
“He’s a dude that we can get a
THELIVINGSTON-T
Denham Springs Junior High Principal Justin Wax will present “Becoming a Capacity Catalyst” to the assembly as part of his school’s recognition.
lot of mismatches up, and we’ve just got to get him the ball,” Beard said of Williams. “He’s an electric, explosive athlete that has a chance to take the top off. He definitely has the makeup and the ability to be really scary.”
Players like Seals have stayed after practices to work with the quarterbacks to help build chemistry
With another offseason under his belt, Adams’ hunger for a chance to play and lead his team to a state championship grows.
“I just want to go to the (state) championship (game),” Adams said. “A lot of people got their heads down on us, saying we can’t do it, but I feel like we can do it.”
Before he can do that, he has to win a competitive position battle.
“It’s going to come down to two dudes battling it out, the ones that are leading drives and are running the offense and doing the things we ask him to do,” Beard said. “That’s going to be the guy that wins the job.”
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA ADVOCATE 10291 Hwy. 190 Walker LA 70785 or P.O. Box 309 Walker LA 70785 (225) 388-0215 PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY Online at www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/livingston_tangipahoa/
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“Our school demonstrates what we call three years of awesome, and that really says it all,” Wax said. “We want to do everything with excellence for the sake of our students and community.”
SUMMER
Continued from page 1G
down Dunham 60-30. No one took much stock in the actual scores, but it did show that the Yellow Jackets have some players to work with after losing most of last year’s squad, a team that reached the Division I nonselect semifinals, to graduation
Sophomore guard Devin Kinchen, who had 18 points and three steals against Dunham, said he likes the way the Jackets have approached summer league play
“I feel good about us,” he said.
“Every week we’re getting closer and playing more as a team. Instead of standing around and trying to do everything (individually) we’re coming together We’re getting shots for each other and we’re running the offense.”
The Jackets also played solid defense, an aspect of the game that can be an afterthought in the loose summer league format. The de-
fensive effort wasn’t lost on coach Kevin Caballero, who offered his assessment after the Dunham game.
“I can only speak for my team, but I thought we played really well,” he said. “I don’t know if Dunham had their whole team tonight, and I’m not sure either for Oak Forest, but I was really pleased with the way we defended We also threw in some shots and it worked out our way.”
Denham Springs has scaled down its summer league play compared to recent years, but the team is still motivated to work hard.
“Last summer we had some injuries, and I thought to myself, what did we really accomplish,” Caballero said. “We’ve cut it back some, but not to the point where we aren’t doing anything.
“We lost some really good players and they set the bar really high for these other guys.”
Right now, the other guys are showing they are up for the challenge.
Center in Pollock.
Gathering at Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community’s International Day, kneeling from
Miller, Kasse Whatley, Sharon Miano and Carla VanVrancken; and
TVFC celebrates International Day
Community news report
Members of Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community attended the club’s annual International Day Celebration on June 3 at the LSU Research Center in Hammond.
Each year, TVFC members select a country or countries to highlight for the event. This year they chose France, Spain, Germany and Italy, and they designated “Everything about Cheese” as their focus.
TVFC International chair Susan Melancon was both the organizer of the event and the hostess for the celebration.
Ambassadors served as chairs for each country’s committee France’s ambassador was Gail Calderone; Spain’s ambassador was Anita Murray; Germany’s ambassador was Lucie Hanewrinkel; and Italy’s ambassador was Carla VanVrancken.
The program included a simulated flight through the European countries with layovers in each
After each ambassador had her turn at trying to out-do the other ambassadors in bragging rights for their country, the attendees were treated to a meal consisting of different cuisine from all four countries prepared by the countries’ committee members.
Each committee was assigned a separate table, which the members
and Lori
decorated with symbols and colors representing their designated country The committee members were also dressed in festive attire depicting their country’s traditional clothing styles. Following the meal, Melancon announced her special guests for the event: Ashely Pecquet and her mother, Lori Lucas, the owners of The Rind Store, in Hammond. The mother/daughter duo gave a presentation on the different types of cheeses made by each of the four countries, during which they
passed out a variety of cheeses for the attendees to sample.
Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community is an all-volunteer arm of LSU Agriculture Extension Service, which includes two chapters: Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community and Sunshine Ladies.
For information about TVFC local groups, email TVFC President Gloria Messenger at ggmesenger1@gmail.com or membership chair Sue Nelson at suenelson41@ yahoo.com.
Sharon Miano and Lucie Hanewrinkel discuss cheeses from around the world during International Day.
Clubs unite for bunco game
Tangipahoa Volunteer Community and Family Club members representing France, from left, are Miriam Davis, Cecilia Miller Pam Villagran, Gail Calderone and Marie Acosta.
LEFT: Gwen Domiano, Carla VanVrancken and Susan Melancon represent Ireland.
BELOW: Attendees include Malinda Sanchez, Gayle Riche, Cheryl BowlesBrenden, Lisa Meche, Joyce Bourliea, Rayne’ Beal, Cora Desselle, Ginny Shartle, Anita Murray, JoAnn Francois, Marie Heck, Ann Bourliea and Sandra McConnell.
Representing Spain at International Day, from left, are Cora Desselle, Ginny Shartle, Anita Murray and Marie Heck.
Ashley Pecquet
Lucas attend International Day.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
left, are Cecilia
Attending a bunco game in Metairie, from left, are Tangipahoa Volunteers
Family
members Malinda Sanchez, Anna Rita Miller Daphne Griffin Robin Necaise, Pam Villagran, Betty Bankston, Gloria Messenger, Jean Hebert, Ginny Shartle, Sue Nelson, Lisa Meche, Millie, Marie Heck and guest Annette Bankston, daughter of member Betty Bankston.
Community news report
Southeastern Louisiana University celebrated its 1,215 graduates May 16 in two commencement ceremonies in the University Center The ceremonies mark the 100th anniversary of Southeastern’s first graduating class.
During the afternoon ceremony, Southeastern celebrated its 100,000th graduate. Gracie LeBlanc, a psychology major from Cut Off, received the distinction and was awarded a special plaque to commemorate the occasion.
The university awarded its highest academic honor, the President’s Medal for Academic Excellence, to 26 students with the highest cumulative GPA in the university’s five colleges.
Medal recipients from the region were:
n Brenna Stamper, of Gonzales, art, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
n Kyleigh Overheim, of Watson, business administration, College of Business
n Collin McClure, of Watson, English education; Layla Meng, of Denham Springs, social studies education; and Austin Nelson, of Albany, social studies education, all of College of Education
n Chrysler Mitchell, of Denham Springs, kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
n Carlie Bankston, of Denham Springs, chemistry; Ajyol Dhamala, of Hammond, computer science; and major Jared Talbot of Walker, computer science, all of College of Science and Technology Area students receiving associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees were: Livingston Parish Master’s degrees
Albany: Madison Carson, counseling; Amber Decelle nursing; Lyric Faldetta, communication; and Janice Morgan, educational leadership.
Denham Springs: Madison Andre, business administration; Rachel Bourg, educational leadership; Catherine Davidson, nursing; Jacob Deaton history; Amanda Donohue, executive MBA; Tandy Dubois, nursing; Hailey Hairford, business administration; Hannah Labauve, applied sociology; Kelcie Overheim, social work; Olivia Porter, social work; Claudia Romero, psychology; Lauren Simpson, nursing; LeAnna Toups-Bennett, executive MBA; and Brandy Tullos, curriculum and instruction. Livingston: Charity Toney, curriculum and instruction. Maurepas: Brailie Buchanan, special education.
Springfield: Joseph Granier MBA; Robin Skinner, special education; and Brandie Wolsefer, MBA. Walker: Abril Alello, counseling.
Bachelor’s degrees
Albany: Saige Crayton, health sciences; Alyssa Dickerson, nursing; Kimberly Hutchinson, RN to BSN; Brandee May, general studies; and Austin Nelson, social studies education.
Southeastern Louisiana University President William S Wainwright, second row, from left, and commencement speaker astronaut Haley Arceneaux, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Eric Skipper second row, right, stand with College of Science and Technology President’s Medal winners, first row from left, Savannah Cousins, of Madisonville; Jared Talbot, of Walker; and Carlie Bankston, of Denham Springs; and second row, Subin Bista of Nepal, Niraj Bhatta, of Nepal. Not pictured is Ajyol Dhamala, of Hammond.
tary education; Hunter Bond, accounting; Caroline Bouquet, nursing; Shelby Bourgeois, general studies; Carlie Bozarth, nursing; Spike Brasseaux, industrial technology; Jessica Braud, music; Hannah Brown, English education; Rachel Bueche, nursing; Donald Butler III, business administration; Cassidy Byars, business administration; Kallie Calvaruso, general studies; Anne Chevalier, information technology; Kevin Cline Jr , finance; Abigail Cobb, nursing; Claire Conradi, psychology; Hannah Cooper psychology; Leigh Anne Cooper, RN to BSN; Samantha Daisey, general studies; Kyle Deel, general studies; Jacob Delaughter accounting; Nicholas Dimartino III, marketing; Carlie Dodd, management; Jules Dormain, communication; Isabelle Duval, human development and family science; Mackenzie Evans, health and physical education grades K-12; Nicholas Fefee, art; Christine Franklin, health systems; Mallory Frizell, marketing; Katelyn Gaffney, accounting; Laney Gardner kinesiology; Andrew Genre, psychology; Hayden Hand, management; Ashley Higginbotham, computer science; Ella Hunter, psychology; Aubrey Johnson, marketing; Sophie Kelly, nursing; Ashlynn Lewis, psychology; Kora Llorente, social work; Madison Ma, nursing; Jonathan Mackey, psychology; Katelyn May, business administration; Collin McClure, English education; Rachel McCoy, nursing; Alex McLemore, communication; Olivia McMasters, nursing; Cameron Meier, business administration and supply chain management; Layla Meng, social studies education grades 6-12; Jade Millet, elementary education and special education mild/moderate grades 1-5; Chrysler Mitchell, kinesiology; Kiersten Mizell, art; Keyla Montes, health systems; Brandon Montgomery, industrial technology; Erica Murkowski, nursing; Madalyn Murphy criminal justice; Brianna Murray, nursing; Taylor Ngo, communication; Aubrey O’Rourke, business administration; Brennan Oudit, criminal justice; Kyleigh Overheim, business administration; Gregory Pierre Jr information technology; Paige Pitre, marketing; Blaise Priester, general studies; Ja’dazia Richard, business administration; Kaylyn Riley biological sciences; Watson Rogers, computer science; Nicholas Rosenthal, marketing; Abigail Sanderson, kinesiology; Aiden Saunders, kinesiology;
French Settlement: Kathrynn Guedry, elementary education and special education mild/moderate grades 1-5; Morgan Kendrick, psychology; and Carmella Tranchina, business administration.
Holden: Kevin Ahumada, accounting; Camille Comish, chemistry; Kelsey Henderson, business administration; Macey Higginbotham, business administration; Grace Johnson, early childhood education grades PK-3; Josephine Johnston, general studies; Sydney Kimble, general studies; Blake Lobell, general studies; Levie Mayers, general studies; Charleigh Naquin nursing; Angelina Quigley, art; and Paul Stumpf, computer science.
Livingston: Sophia Allen, marketing; Hunter Bankston, marketing; Annabelle Bradford, finance and accounting; Mason Davis, nursing; Kyleigh Forbes, psychology; Cate Glascock, early childhood education grades PK-3; Luke Lebourgeois, engineering technology; Madelyn Lott, nursing; Sarah McLaughlin, art; Laural Mizell, human development and family science; Hunter Morales, industrial technology; Michael Nugent, general studies; Jaylon Pitts, political science; Olivia Robert, psychology; Wyatt Shoemaker, health science; and Madison Simon, nursing.
Maurepas: Dakota Guitreau, industrial technology; Connor James, biological sciences; Ethan Lebon, sport management; Michael Smith, biological sciences; Karson Thacker, marketing; Bailee Wederstrandt, general studies; and Connor Williams, general studies. Port Vincent: Sydnee Cambre, business administration. Springfield: Jacy Costa, RN to BSN; Naomi Haywood, general studies; Jayce Hill, marketing; Micheal Hutchinson, social studies education grades 6-12; Calib Lawson, marketing; Ian Miller, biological sciences; Emma Miller kinesiology; Madison Templet, biological sciences; Kacey Threeton, psychology; and Kiarra Westbrooks, general studies.
Walker: Jenae Adams, accounting; Jessica Aime, music; Austin Andrews, general studies; Jacob Ashford, marketing; Dylan Bailey, finance; Molly Baker, management;
Randall Baker, accounting; Kayla Berard, general studies; Sonia Bergeron, RN to BSN; Emma Blount, criminal justice; Camden Carver, criminal justice; Hayden Clinesmith, criminal justice; Seth Coleman, general studies; Ariah Doyle, biological sciences; Emily Dozier, health systems; Devin Ford, computer science; Aiden Gaspard, psychology; Aubrey Hodges, nursing; Larkyn Jones, sociology; Katelynn Lytle, marketing; Ryan Martin, criminal justice; Alyssa Metz, general studies; Richard Nixon III, music; Priya Patel, psychology; Reese Patten business administration; Savannah Shelton, elementary education grades 1-5; Isabella Slade, social work; Connor Small, criminal justice; Mackenzie Spangler, English education; Jared Talbot, computer science; and Logan Watts, theater
Watson: Collin McClure, English education; and Kyleigh Overheim, business administration.
Amite: Devyn Hoyt, communication; Madison King, history; and Sydnee Smith, nursing.
Hammond: Blake Arceneaux, business administration; Lucy Armand, social work; Oluwatobi Babatunde, music; Stephen Brayard, historyl Hannah Brewer, business administration; Jenny Davis, history; Gerald Dowdy, business administration; Ronald Flores, music; Adebimpe Funso, music; Sabdika Ghimire, integrated science and technology; Stanley Hamilton, counseling; Candela Hernandez, music; Hydee Holsapple, biology; Ashish Khanal, integrated science and technology; Hilary Mulvaney, executive MBA; Ifeanyi Osuagwu, music; Lauren Owens, special education; Fahim Rabbi, integrated science and technology; Jennie Stilley, strategic communication; Lainey Trahan, counseling; Maggie Tregre, English; Zichuo Wang, integrated science and technology; Justin Wiggins, English; and Blanca Zamora, music.
Kentwood: Abigail Chandler, health and kinesiology; Jestini Fox, curriculum and instruction; and Alayna Garner, counseling.
Loranger: Ricky Lips Jr., history Ponchatoula: Joshua Austin, MBA; Twanna Brown, educational leadership; Khaled Harmoush, computer networking and administration; Lynn Meades, executive MBA; Roseann Miller, nursing; Jonathan Persaud, computer networking and administration; Bobbi Sampson, psychology; Kyle Schafer, nursing; Kayla Smith, nursing; Brenda Turcios Arias, business administration; Blair Waguespack, special education; and Savannah Watkins, MBA.
Tickfaw: Abigail Bravata, MBA.
Bachelor’s degrees
Amite: Liam Adamson, criminal justice; Nkiya Ard, health sciences; Mackenzie Chavers, management; Sierra Clemons, general studies; Danielle Couste, early
childhood education PK-3; A’Kaysha Jackson, psychology; Lily Labarbera, elementary education grades 1-5; Zeph Major, general studies; and Collin Perez, business administration. Hammond: Amarachukwu Ajah, nursing; G’Tashjae Akinsulure, criminal justice; Ethan Anthony, marketing; Bailey Babin, kinesiology; Anthonate Barsai, nursing; Shannon Bell, marketing; Niraj Bhatta, computer science; Subin Bista, computer science; Francis Bordelon, biological sciences; Jai Brown, information technology; Miriam Browne, general studies; Jordan Burdett, nursing; Gage Carroll, sports management; Valentia’ Carter, criminal justice; Alexis Chatman, art; Alejandro Cobos, criminal justice; Anaya Cochennic, general studies; Jordan Cole, social work; Jackson Creel, accounting; Nicholas Cullop, general studies; Sarah Cusimano, social work; Eden Dardeau, accounting; Micah Delgado, biological sciences; Ajyol Dhamala, computer science; Micah Douglas, accounting; Abigail Dupont, general studies; Ryan Evans, psychology; Bryant Fontenot, political science; Tammy Foster, general studies; Ginniah Franklin, business administration; Madison Fundling, kinesiology; Jamar Gant, sports management; Kaylee Gegenheimer, psychology; Nicholas Genre, engineering technology; Elena Goycochea, political science; Alicia Guillory, RN to BSN; Nikolaus Head, political science; Madyson Holman, psychology; Amalia Hurtado, industrial technology; Aparajeeta Joshi, nursing; Alannah Kelley, biological sciences; Dorian Kopp, management; Summer Krause, business administration; Matthew Latino, biological sciences; Emily Lidikay, psychology; Bryan Lunsford, industrial technology; Brandon Marler, health sciences; Sara Martin, accounting; Romayne Mayne Jr., music; Skylar McCabe, accounting; Baylee McDaniel, management; Hannah McKinney, general studies; Rhianna McRee, management; Samuel Mettakadapa, information technology; Morgan Montet, computer science; Sophia Morgan, art; Olisemeka Nmarkwe, computer science; Chinedu Obiokejeme, nursing; Ainsley O’Brian, English; Ashley Odak, marketing; Oreoluwa Onafowokan, political science; Covenant Onyewuche, music; Anuraj Pant, computer science; Satyam Pathak, computer science; Ruben Pereyra, business administration; Parker Perrilloux, sports management; Blair Pizzolato, business administration; Aakash Poudel, computer science; Christopher Quaiel, occupational safety health and environment; Candace Robinson, RN to BSN; Hadeel Saad, nursing; Gage Scott, engineering technology; Putheara Sok, finance; Brie Spinks, human development and family science; Erik Starkey, nursing; Julianna Stephens, finance; Panatchakorn Suanarsa, management; Tristyn Thiel, history; Emma Touchet, social work; Ridge Turner Sr general studies; Chelsealyn Vallery, RN to BSN; Gerrit Visser, computer science; Kayden Wascom, early childhood education PK-3; Dane Watts, general studies; Aushanta Wilson, art; and Caroline Yenni, psychology Independence: Leanna Bankston, criminal justice;
Lauren Clements, kinesiology; Emma Landry, history; Ava Malnar biological sciences; Anna Malnar, biological sciences; Ethan Mendez, information technology; William Moran, business administration; Peyton Perry, information technology; Jason Pingno Jr., kinesiology; Alexis Shank, health systems; Jennifer Watson, psychology; and Jordan Young, human development and family science.
Kentwood: Alana Fussell, health systems; Seth Goll, accounting and finance; Shaina Keller, communication; Leighton Passman, management; Deanna Reynolds, RN to BSN; Kaden Slocum, occupational safety; and Kathryn Smith, kinesiology
Loranger: Carley Alexander, RN to BSN; Caleb Bates, general studies; Dedric Bellizan Jr., information technology; Gianna Guzzardo biological sciences; Cade Kraus, management; Heather Leon, management; Abigail Saba, kinesiology; Amber Vodopija, elementary education grades 1-5; and Thomas Wheeler Jr., kinesiology
Natalbany: Kadence Fischer, health systems; and TaRae Jackson, business administration.
Ponchatoula: Victoria Alexander, RN to BSN; Abby Allen, human development and family science; Hayden Asprion, supply chain management; Landyn Bazile, criminal justice: Mark Bienvenu Jr., business administration; Logan Bitner, engineering technology; Elizabeth Bode, finance; Jada Clark, health sciences; Abigail Cloud, history; Makayla Cottingham, psychology; Kayla Edwards, communication; Jenna Gassen, business administration; Mary Glass, accounting; Isabel Glynn, finance; Jordan Hollingsworth, elementary education grades 1-5; Jaleel Hutton, communication; Paige Johnson, health sciences; Alex Justelien, management; Andrea Kinchen, biological sciences; Katie Lagarde, nursing; Cole Landry, kinesiology; Ron Logarbo, information technology; Lexi Maillet, communication; Colby Martin, management; Molly McCarroll, psychology; Jonah Nepveux, supply chain management; Casey Nguyen, nursing; Federick Olmstead, management; Logan Pierre, occupational safety, health and environment; Lakin Polk, general studies; Kerrie Randazzo, RN to BSN; Elizabeth Ransom, communication; Annabelle Rodrigue, biological sciences; Christine Rogers-Porter, general studies; Trinity Saul, biological sciences; Katielynn Saxon, communication; Nate Sherman, art; Emmee Stroud, art; Dakota Tittle, social work; Ashton Vining, management; Hallie Waddell, RN to BSN; Fletcher White, engineering technology; Dwight Williams Jr., communication; Emily Wilson, art; Makayla Wilson, psychology; and Tyren Woolridge, industrial technology Robert: Breanna Becerra, general studies; Katryn Caldwell, general studies; and Seraphine Castro, psychology Tickfaw: Arynn Leggett, management; Jourdan McKinney, nursing; Ari Miller, psychology; Jordan Moreno, biological sciences; Bryan Spears Jr., sports management; and Brandon Wells, nursing.
Associate’s degrees Ponchatoula: Julia McKnight, industrial technology
3 SLU students competing in Miss Louisiana Pageant
Community news report
Three Southeastern Louisiana University students will represent the university June 18-20 at the 2026 Miss Louisiana Pageant in Monroe.
Southeastern students competing include: n Miranda Sensat, Miss Southeastern Louisiana University 2026, of Denham Springs. Sensat is a senior majoring in music education.
n Eva Delatte, Miss Natchitoches City of Lights 2026, of Ponchatoula. Delatte is a senior majoring in secondary English education.
n Shelby Bordelon, Miss Louisiana Port City 2026, of Sunshine. Bordelon is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication. The winner of Miss Louisiana 2026 will go on to represent the state at the Miss America Competition in September The competition will be held at the W.L. Jack Howard Theatre. The final competition will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. Saturday June 20, on WUPL-TV channel 54 in New Orleans and WBTR-TV, channel 36 in Baton Rouge. Twenty-nine contestants from across the state will compete for the title of Miss Louisiana 2026 and more than $69,000 in scholarships. The Miss Louisiana Organization is the official state preliminary to the Miss America Opportunity and provides young women with opportunities for scholarship, service, leadership and professional development.
June
Three Southeastern Louisiana University students will compete at the 2026 Miss Louisiana Pageant, taking place
18–20 in Monroe. From left are Shelby Bordelon, of Sunshine; Miranda Sensat, of Denham Springs, and Eva Delatte, of Ponchatoula.
