YOUR DONATIONS

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

It’s hard to ignore the jolt of excitement in the air here at LSMSA! Along with the new residence hall construction are an abundance of high-level class offerings—233, to be exact—and the more than 50 clubs and organizations that are helping students realize their potential as they learn and grow. More than 35 years ago, the school’s first graduating class set our motto of “Praecellemus,” which means “we shall excel.” And because of you, that underlying mission has remained, even with all of the transitions that education and technology have undergone in the past 35 years. Because you generously invest in LSMSA’s future, the Foundation is able to provide students, faculty and staff with the necessary resources to not just meet expectations, but also to exceed them by rigorously preparing future alumni for what they’ll encounter in college and beyond.

Whether you give financially to LSMSA or are a dedicated volunteer, you are making a difference and we appreciate you! We look forward to all that 2020 has in store, and we know that with your help, LSMSA will continue to excel.

Angela Robinson Couvillion (’93) Executive director, LSMSA Foundation

Because of you, LSMSA’s underlying mission of “we shall excel” has remained.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS KEY TO ENGINEERING CLASSES’ GROWTH

Thanks to the LSMSA Foundation’s Richard G. Brown Fund, associate lecturer of mathematics Randy Key had two STEM-focused weeks of professional development this summer: the Texas A&M STEM Boot Camp and U.S. Naval Academy SET Sail STEM Educator Training. Key was even featured on the cover of the Academy’s newsletter.

“I was able to not only receive training, but also meet a variety of colleagues. Some had limited resources and some have fully developed programs,” said Key, who began teaching LSMSA’s first one-hour introduction to engineering course in spring 2019 and immediately implemented ideas from both experiences into the school’s first three-hour engineering class in the fall. “Our kids have big ideas, and we want to stay ahead of that with our resources and curriculum.”

Associate lecturer of mathematics Randy Key gains engineering and STEM teaching skills to implement into engineering courses at LSMSA. JANUARY 2020

James Fortenberry (’91) and Dale Clingerman, coordinator of athletics and recreation, celebrate Fortenberry’s strong support of the school’s athletic program and dedication to building the alumni group in northeast Louisiana.

2019 Wingspan Award for Dedication honorees Kirby (’94) and Jennifer Hopkins (’95) and James Fortenberry (’91). Not pictured: John Normand (’89).

LSMSA Foundation Development Chair Seema Patel (’96) thanked Wingspan Award recipient John Normand (’89) in London for his role in guiding and growing the LSMSA Foundation from across the pond.

LSMSA Foundation President Mary Ellen Slayter (’95) visits with Past President Bill New.

DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS, DONORS HONORED AT ANNUAL EVENT

More than 50 donors, volunteers and LSMSA representatives recently gathered in Lafayette to celebrate the generosity of the Foundation’s 1983 Society members and to recognize year’s recipients of the Wingspan Award for Dedication.

Congratulations to Kirby (’94) and Jennifer Chen Hopkins (’95) of The Woodlands, Texas; James Fortenberry (’91) of Spearsville, Louisiana; and John Normand (’89) of London, United Kingdom. Visit www.LSMSA.edu/news to learn more about these longtime contributors and their meaningful, extraordinary support for LSMSA.

The LSMSA Foundation’s 1983 Society helps the school foster a tradition of philanthropy by recognizing its most loyal and committed supporters. Annual contributions of $1,983 or more qualify an individual or organization for membership in the 1983 Society.

The dance ensemble works with Ailey School instructor Astrid von Ussar on a piece for its informal studio showing and Spring Dance Concert.

LSMSA’s Chris King gains boat-building knowledge this summer by working with master builder Chris Balch to teach elementary and middle school students.

PROFESSIONAL CHOREOGRAPHER SPENDS WEEKEND WORKING WITH LSMSA DANCE ENSEMBLE

Thanks to the Foundation’s Praecellemus Fund, professional choreographer Ailey School instructor Astrid von Ussar visited LSMSA from New York City as the fall dance guest artist. She set an original work with the dance ensemble for their informal studio showing in December and the Spring Dance Concert. From explaining which muscles should be engaged for certain moves to detailing what companies look for in auditions, von Ussar spent a full weekend with the ensemble choreographing a piece allowing them to work together while also giving each student an opportunity to shine with solos. “Whether members of our ensemble started dancing when they were very young or two years ago, they all learned a complete dance in just 13 hours of rehearsal,” LSMSA dance instructor Crystal Lewis said. “I’m so proud of them for flourishing under such an accomplished professional in this intense weekend.”

Members of the ensemble admitted they initially felt intimidated by the workshop, but after the first couple of hours, they were excited to have the experience with someone so well known. Impressed with the LSMSA dancers’ tenacity and willingness to try challenging movement, von Ussar is considering incorporating the final piece into the Ailey School’s annual dance concert at City Center.

KING BRINGS EAST COAST BOAT-BUILDING CLASS TO CANE RIVER

This summer, through support from the Foundation’s Richard G. Brown Fund, visual arts lecturer Chris King spent two weeks at The Fenn School in Massachusetts team-teaching boat-building techniques with experienced builder Chris Balch.

King worked with elementary and middle school students to build eight 14.5-foot boats and will pass along what he learned in the spring sculpture class at LSMSA.

“Growing up on the East Coast, I’ve always enjoyed boats,” said King. “I wanted to bring boat-building to our students here at LSMSA, especially since we’re located on the historic Cane River. I believe we have the potential to offer cross-curricular learning opportunities involving history, geometry and physics during the creative process.”

Named after the late history instructor and executive director of LSMSA, the Richard G. Brown Fund for Faculty Advancement enriches the school by providing annual, individual grants for the professional development of faculty and staff.

LSMSA INSTRUCTOR SEES HISTORY THROUGH 21ST-CENTURY LENS

This summer, the LSMSA Foundation’s Richard G. Brown Fund provided support for instructor of visual arts Marcus Journey’s Photographic Survey of the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Journey and two LSMSA alumni, William Casey (’19) and Collin Serigne (’19), used Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Brigham Young University historical documents, journals and archives to map out the exact trail that early Mormon pioneers took on their trek from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City in the 1800s.

“We used geographical points of interest, town squares, and historical sites in diary entries to choose what we’d photograph,” Journey said. “Being raised in the Mormon religion, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this experience, but I definitely gained a new appreciation for this group of people and the sacrifices they made to go to Salt Lake City.”

Journey will exhibit the work this spring in LSMSA’s gallery and will represent LSMSA with his portfolio at a national conference in March.

“This experience wouldn’t have been feasible without the Foundation’s help,” Journey said. “It’s something I always wanted to do, but it would’ve taken me a few years of small trips instead of all at once over a few weeks.”

INSTRUCTORS ATTEND SYMPOSIUM TO ADVANCE SCHOOL’S STEAM, ENGINEERING EFFORTS

Funded by support from the LSMSA Foundation, visual arts lecturer Chris King and associate lecturer of mathematics Randy Key attended a three-day International Symposium of Academic Makerspaces at Yale University in October. King and Key learned from lecturers and workshops presented by educational institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale and Georgia Tech.

“I went into the symposium with a ton of questions I wanted answers to, but came out realizing I was asking the wrong questions,” said Key, who recently began teaching LSMSA’s first engineering-specific workshops and classes. “That’s a true learning experience.”

Both instructors are strong proponents of continuing to develop LSMSA’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) curriculum, enhancing the school’s existing efforts and providing creative outlets for LSMSA students.

“LSMSA always strives to meet students where they are, but our mission is to exceed that, so we have to keep growing,” King said. “By continuously adapting to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need, we are helping them to be leaders at here LSMSA but also later at university and beyond.”

Zac Magee (’21) works within a group to place bones in their proper locations

Dr. Allison Landry oversees students putting together bones and muscles in her anatomy class.

Savannah Cecchini (’21) uses pictures of the skeleton as a study tool.

NEW SKELETON MAKES SPOOKY (TEST) SEASON LESS SCARY

Even the most dedicated students agree that testing season is the ultimate spooky season. But thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor through the LSMSA Foundation, a brand-new skeleton has replaced some of that fear with confidence about learning the names, locations and functions of the body’s bones and joints.

Savannah Cecchini (’21), a junior from Denham Springs, grabbed her phone for close-up pictures of the skeleton in Dr. Allison Landry’s anatomy class, explaining that she’ll use the photos as a study tool.

“Sometimes it’s hard to tell in a textbook diagram that a bone is protruding, so seeing it in person really comes in handy,” she said.

While showing anatomy students various bones on the skeleton, the Sciences department chair also explained the value of hands-on experiences.

“Students don’t have to have advanced equipment to learn anatomy,” Landry said, “but it definitely gives them an invaluable chance to see how all the body parts work together.” The excitement was clear as second-year junior Zac McGhee (’21) excitedly identified correct bones. Having grown up with a mom who works in labor and delivery and with plans of his own to be a pediatrician or pediatric surgeon, McGhee admitted, “I’ve been wanting to take this class for as long as I’ve known about this school!”

Landry added real-life and real-time examples to her lesson, showing students which bones protrude when they make a fist and the bones affected in common injuries.

“Remember when I jumped out of that inner tube and landed the wrong way?” she asked, holding up the skeleton’s foot. “This is what I broke, so you can see why I wasn’t supposed to put pressure on it while it was healing.”

“While colleges offer this kind of hands-on anatomy instruction, it is much less common in high schools,” Landry said. “We’re so grateful that our donors help us teach to our full capacity by providing these materials.”

STUDENTS VISIT LSMSA’S NEW WRITING CENTER FOR LESS RED INK, MORE CONFIDENCE

When associate lecturer of English Dr. Justin Barker noticed a pattern of students struggling with the basics of writing, she proposed that LSMSA open a writing center. “One of the most helpful parts of graduate school was being able to share my writing with others and get feedback,” Barker said. “Our students are all extremely motivated, but even the best writers can benefit from collaboration.”

Once the center was approved, Barker began determining logistics, finalizing a selection process for tutors, and structuring a plan for how sessions would operate. Although sessions rotate among buildings and are staffed by volunteer student tutors, making it successful did come at some expense. “Our goal is to guide students and emphasize writing fundamentals, so having adequate resources for tutors and participants is important,” Barker explained. “The Foundation outfitted us with more than $500 in supplies ranging from grammar and spelling guides, to office products, to snacks—a must for every high school student.” Today, the LSMSA Writing Center is running smoothly, with 10 tutors offering their peers guidance in both scheduled and walk-in appointments. “It’s fun to help other students figure out what certain instructors want to see,” said Kaitlyn Thompson (’20) of Montz, who assists classmates with everything from papers to lab reports. “I would recommend that any student come and see if you’re comfortable in the Writing Center, because the more secure you feel about your work, the better you’ll do here at LSMSA.” “I definitely would’ve taken advantage of this if I’d come to LSMSA as a sophomore,” agrees Wisner native Trace Hilbun (’20). “The best part of being a tutor is when I see someone I’ve helped in the hall and they tell me they got a high A.”

Data that Barker collects from Writing Center participants and feedback from instructors have been overwhelmingly positive.

“The Writing Center is less about critiquing and more about consulting. Since even the best writer rarely produces a perfect first draft, this is something that can truly help anyone,” said Barker, who tweaks the structure and sessions as needed. “I’m so glad we have the opportunity to incorporate such an essential skill into the living/learning environment here at LSMSA.” Associate lecturer of English Dr. Justin Barker spearheaded LSMSA's Writing Center Accelerated chemistry II students are among the first to visualize Planck’s Constant using new equipment.

DONOR-FUNDED EQUIPMENT ALLOWS CHEMISTRY STUDENTS TO VISUALIZE PLANCK'S CONSTANT

This fall, thanks to support from the LSMSA Foundation’s Annual Fund, students in Accelerated Chemistry II lab were the first at the school to use new equipment that allowed them to see Planck’s Constant in action.

Planck’s Constant, a fundamental physical constant characteristic of the mathematical formulations of quantum mechanics, describes the behavior of particles and waves on the atomic scale, including the particle aspect of light. “The best way for students to learn that these numbers have a physical significance is to personally calculate one of them,” said Dr. Michele Stover, who requested the equipment from the Foundation in hopes that the visuals it provides would reinforce concepts for students.

“It’s really cool to understand this to a different degree,” Connor Barney (’21) said. “I studied Planck’s Constant at my school at home in Destrehan, but it helps to see a visual of it.”

“We learn about this in class, but now we actually get to see it,” agreed Jason Garrison (’21), of Monroe.

The LSMSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible.

SUPPORT THE SCHOOL FINANCIALLY

• Mail a check payable to LSMSA Foundation to: 715 University Parkway, Natchitoches LA 71457

• Give online at www.LSMSA.edu/donate

• Set up a monthly auto pay through your bank

GIVE OF YOUR TIME

Email foundation@LSMSA.edu for information about volunteer opportunities!

GIVE WHILE YOU SHOP

The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of qualifying purchases to the LSMSA Foundation when you begin your shopping at smile.amazon.com and select LSMSA as your preferred charity. Bookmark http://smile.amazon.com/ch/72- 1006260 to support LSMSA every time you shop!

Have a Coke and give a smile when you visit coke.com/ give/schools, select LA SCH FOR MATH SCIENCE & ARTS and scan or enter product codes from participating Coca-Cola products. Get started today!

Drive progress at LSMSA every time you get in the car. The LSMSA license plate is available for vehicles registered in Louisiana, and a portion of each registration goes directly back to LSMSA.

Add LSMSA to your Kroger Rewards Card. Link LSMSA’s NPO number CX665 to the Community Rewards section of your Kroger account page and support LSMSA each time you shop.

Save your Community Coffee Proofs of Purchase and mail them to the Foundation so we can receive proceeds from the Cash for Schools Program.

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

Ask your employer if they have a matching gift policy—you can double, even triple, the impact of your gift to LSMSA at no additional cost to you!

Visit www.LSMSA.edu/foundation to learn more about how the Foundation supports LSMSA’s efforts and growth.