INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 3 GROUNDBREAKING 6 CAMPUS 10 STUDENTS 12 FACULTY 14 FOUNDATION 16 ALUMNI 19 PARENTS
A L O U I S I A N A S C H O O L F O R M AT H , S C I E N C E , A N D T H E A R T S F O U N DAT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N | S P R I N G 2 0 1 9
“ . . . this semester has definitely been one of a kind!”
What seems to have been just few hours since the last edition of The Gift was released is really a few months. Days at LSMSA fly by faster and faster! We’re headed into that final stretch of days that include college interviews, scholarship offers/acceptances, Ring Ceremony, graduation supplies, the spring musical production, SLAMT, and, of course, commencement. But this semester has definitely been one of a kind! Eagle Field is slowly turning into a construction zone that requires hard hats and steel-toe boots. Back in the late fall, we all saw the beginnings of the residence hall construction begin with the marking of the hall’s footprint. We took advantage of that step, and you’ll smile when you see the photographs that came from that afternoon’s activities. Though we still have a few years left to enjoy the memories, escapades and smells of Prudhomme and Caddo halls, it’s very evident that we’re focused on the new additions to the campus. Our kids are enjoying the new Chick-fil-A across the street from the HSB/MAB (Annex for some of you), and in just a few months we’ll see the creation of a “real” cross-walk across University Parkway right in front of the campus! We’ll celebrate the opening of a Steak ’n Shake in the Northwestern State University Student Union, and Starbucks in Watson Library continues to thrive. The University Bookstore is working with the Foundation and the school to stock LSMSA items for sale, and we are enhancing our online offerings to complement the in-store stock. In short, we are blessed! Thank you for continuing to support LSMSA, whether it be through your unwavering support of our school initiatives, your financial support for student and faculty programming, your physical/mental support at our summer Social Service Weekend, or just keeping us in your thoughts. All of these combined have brought LSMSA to an all-time high in the eyes of state and nation. Continue to fly high, Eagles!
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Dr. Steve Horton LSMSA executive director
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CONSTRUCTION FOR A NEW RESIDENCE HALL IS UNDERWAY nization officers, board members and trustees. Among those in attendance were former Sen. Donald G. Kelly and LSMSA’s first executive director, Dr. Robert A. Alost. Kelly and Alost are two of the four founding fathers of LSMSA. “This morning has been a long time coming,” Luneau said. “The residence halls are a vitally important part of students’ academic and personal development. In fact,
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A forecast of severe weather moved LSMSA’s residence hall groundbreaking indoors on March 13, but the weather couldn’t hold back the excitement and enthusiasm of more than 600 guests who crammed into Treen Auditorium to celebrate. Sen. W. Jay Luneau addressed the crowd of students, faculty, staff, alumni, former directors, faculty emeriti, city and state officials, school partners, affiliate orga-
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Sharon Gahagan greets guests as Dr. Steve Horton looks on.
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William Heitman (’19) introduces Sen. Jay Luneau.
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the American Council on Education has noted that educational effectiveness is dependent on the healthy functioning of the student from outside, as well as within, the classroom. “The students whose housing and study conditions constantly interfere with learning are in no position to get the most of their studies. These are the reasons why this project is so vitally important.” Luneau toured Caddo and Prudhomme Halls in December 2017 with Gov. John Bel Edwards and saw the living conditions firsthand. “It wasn’t so long ago that first lady Donna Edwards, Gov. John Bel Edwards and I toured the campus and met with many of you,” Luneau said. “It was a wonderful day, filled with the excitement that can only be found in a
place as special as LSMSA. The day was marred by one gloomy aspect — our tour of the residence halls.” Caddo and Prudhomme halls were loaned to LSMSA in the 1980s by Northwestern State University, and the plan is for those spaces to return to NSU. The new 110,000-square-foot hall is adjacent to the Center for Performance and Technology and will house 360 students. The building will include separate towers for male and female residents and will have 10 neighborhoods with two-bedroom suites, a common room, a study lounge, a laundry room and a kitchen. The facility will also have a lounge, a crafts room, an outdoor recreation area, a gaming room and a theater room. During the ceremony, Senior Class President Rachel Judson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and
Dr. Steve Horton uses a golden shovel to slice the first piece of cake at the reception.
Current students surround the residence hall-shaped cake that was created by Alex Jenkins (’88).
Former executive director, Dr. Patrick Widhalm shovels a piece of cake as students look on.
will take two years to complete, with the fall 2021 class being the first to reside there. A reception in the CPT followed the event and centered around a 200-pound cake in the shape of the new facility made by Alex Jenkins (’88) with the help of her husband, Michael Hebert, and friend Maggi Bienvenu (’95). “The cake was amazing,” said Camille Hollier (’20). “The attention to detail was unbelievable, and it tasted really good, too!” The ceremony is available to stream online in its entirety at www.livestream.com/LSMSA.
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national anthem, and Student Government Organization President William Heitman (’19) introduced Luneau. The LSMSA Chorale and Mixed Ensemble provided music. LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton and LSMSA Board of Directors Chairwoman Sharon Gahagan presided over the ceremony. “We’re so grateful for all who came to the groundbreaking ceremonies, especially those who over the past 35 years have given so much time and support to the school,” Horton said. “We are really excited for the changes that will be seen on campus over the next several weeks, and we are really happy to welcome Ratcliff Construction into the LSMSA family.” Ratcliff, which was awarded the construction contract, is set to begin work in the next 30 days. The facility
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SLAMT TROPHY STAYS IN NATCHITOCHES
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Rachel Judson is a third-year senior from Lake Charles.
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The work began in August. With endless reminders that every practice or game was preparation for SLAMT, Coach Dale Clingerman instilled in the 2019 athletes a goal-driven mindset. As the school year progressed, the volleyball, basketball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and flag football teams practiced in the early morning, after school, and on the weekends. With each 6:30 a.m. alarm, extra lap around the field, and homework assignment completed on the bus, the Eagles poured their hearts into SLAMT. At tip off for the girls basketball game, the gym erupted. The tournament began with an aggressive victory over Arkansas. The stands rocked back and forth as our vibrant student section roared. Boys basketball followed at 11 p.m., bringing a second victory for LSMSA. With just a few hours of sleep, students took to the fields and courts Saturday morning. LSMSA volleyball snatched tiebreaker wins against Arkansas and Texas before claiming victory over Alabama. Meanwhile,
LSMSA flag football obliterated all other teams’ offenses, winning each game without giving up a single point. Across campus on Eagle Field, LSMSA soccer soundly beat Arkansas and Alabama, then, in one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament, outscored Texas in a tiebreaker shootout. LSMSA tennis balanced out a third place finish, and ultimate frisbee finished fourth. Boys basketball finished first by a slim margin, and girls basketball kept alive a six-year tradition of first place finishes. The atmosphere was electric. Complete with a rowdy student section, an Alma Mater remix, Arkansas’s step team, Texas’s dance crew, and Louisiana’s cheer squad, SLAMT 2019 was unmatched in spirit. For LSMSA seniors, defending the trophy meant obtaining the goal set years ago, and finishing the journey alongside best friends. Years from now, when we seniors are grey and old, the 25th anniversary of SLAMT will be remembered for one thing: family.
SPECIAL PROJECTS WEEK
Seventy-two students, parents, and chaperones visited Japan.
Students explored Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art during a trip to Arkansas.
Students enjoy a small breakfast before diving into The Art and Literature of War led by associate lecturer of English Dr. Pamela Francis.
Dr. Cathy Seymour spoke to Death, Mourning, and Cemeteries in a full bereavement gown and gave students a history of funeral attire.
The History of AIDS class holds up a commemorative AIDS Quilt panel. The panel was made by recent graduates Milla Reddick and Clara Colterman and senior Colt Crain.
THEATRE REPERTORY COMPANY PERFORMS “ANTIGONE” In November, LSMSA’s Theatre Repertory Company presented four performances of the Sophocles’ “Antigone” in theBlack Box Theater. “In this translation, Thebes has just emerged intact from the ashes of war,” said Scott Theriot, LSMSA’s director of theatre. “Kreon, the newly crowned king, has decreed death for anyone who attempts to bury the corpse of Polyneikes, the brother to Antigone and son to Oedipus.
see her brother honored with a burial, and Kreon is determined to preserve order no matter the cost.” The play was based off a modern translation by
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“In ‘Antigone,’ the title character is determined to
renowned poet Anne Carson.
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SGO CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY On Friday, Jan. 25, LSMSA’s Student Government Organization hosted an Arbor Day celebration in the school’s courtyard. At the beginning of the ceremony, which was delayed from the third Friday in January because of inclement weather, President Will Heitman (’19) told the story of the first Arbor Day. Following, members of of the sophomore, junior and senior classes planted individual fruit trees before enjoying refreshments. The group hopes to make this an annual event.
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(standing, from l-r) Tarun Kakarala, Skylar Yan, Eden Wiltz, Lucas Sanchez, Athena Cai, Jack Granger, Beatrice Hoang, Andrew Luse, Rita Lin, Junior Class Secretary and Treasurer Steely Forrester, Junior Class Senator Kathryn Lee, Junior Class Senator Ryann Hamilton, Internal Operations Specialist Carisa Rachal, Junior Class Vice President Sara Mixon, Bailey Saucier, Cayla Garrett, Ciara Moroney and Elizabeth Granier; (sitting) Junior Class President Nyihaji Woods, Junior Class Senator Siobahn Stanley and Amaya Robinson.
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(standing, from l-r) SGO Vice President Daniel Metzger, Bradley Hyatt, Kai Sengchiam, Tina Boupapanh, Cydnie Andrepont, Avaion Ruth, Tobi Ojemakinde, Harkiran Kaur, Myles Fabre and Mason Seymour; (sitting) SGO President Will Heitman, Senior Class Senator William Casey, Cynthia Russell, Ishika Patel, Hadley Hines and Lily Orgeron.
(standing, from l-r) Sophomore Class Senator Daniel Seo, Ryan Schleter, Sophomore Class President Sam Smith, Sophomore Class Vice President Elaina Bachman, Stephen Wheat, Jacqueline Schlamp, Victoria McMillan, Leilani Celestine; (sitting) Deior Gross and Jasmine Gray.
Dr. Jonathan Akin of NSU demonstrates the anatomage table to LSMSA students.
ANATOMY CLASS EXPERIENCES HIGH-TECH MACHINE AT NSU Allison Landry, department chair and principal lecturer of biology at LSMSA, brought her anatomy students to the lab as a surprise. She said that having access to equipment allowed her students to dig deeper into human anatomy and help them discover parts of various systems they may have touched on in class. “I think the anatomage table is a great learning tool that helps students visualize the complexity and interrelationships of the human body,” Landry said. Having access to NSU’s equipment will now allow for students to have a more in-depth understanding of the human body and its individual components.
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Anatomy students were able to try out a high-tech piece of equipment at Northwestern State University in November. The anatomage table is a virtual dissection table which allows students the opportunity to dissect a digital cadaver and isolate certain sections of the human body. NSU’s School of Biological and Physical Sciences received the table earlier this summer. “We are already using it in our anatomy classes,” NSU biology professor Dr. Jonathan Akin said. “We are hoping to eventually use it for physiology, histology, and comparative anatomy courses as well.” Onlookers are able to view the dissection process on monitors placed at the front of the class.
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Esther Seo (’19) stands beside the Louisiana School Christian Organization table at the Club Fair.
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Noah Broussard with LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton and his father Kern Broussard at the 2018 Ring Ceremony.
SENIOR RECEIVES FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO YALE
SENIOR TO BE PUBLISHED IN LITERARY JOURNAL
Esther Seo (’19) was awarded a full ride to Yale University through the QuestBridge National College Match Program. Seo, of Bossier City, was one of 1,044 students nationally to receive a scholarship, which is one of many programs pitched by LSMSA’s College Counseling Center. Associate lecturer of English Dr. Jocelyn Donlon provided a letter of recommendation for Seo. According to Donlon, the award could not have been gifted to a more worthy student. “Esther represents everything good about QuestBridge,” said Donlon. “She is a diligent student, a serious thinker, a self-starter, and an excellent writer. More importantly, she is kind. Her university is lucky to have her.” Scholarship recipients are admitted early to QuestBridge’s 40 college partners with guaranteed, full four-year scholarships that are provided by the colleges and universities, ensuring these students and their families that an education at a top college can be affordable. And more scholarship money is on the way. Seven LSMSA seniors have been recognized as National Merit finalists. They are Colt Crain, Zachary; Jayadita “Jojo” Deep, Natchitoches; Will Heitman, Baton Rouge; Lucien Maloney, Mandeville; Zachary Schleter, Lake Charles; Shivam Shah, Bossier City; and Benjamin Walker, Mandeville. National Merit finalists are eligible for National Merit scholarships of $2,500 on a state-representational basis. There are also 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and 180 expected college-sponsored awards up for grabs.
Noah Broussard’s short story “Girl, Goat, Glass,” was accepted into the literary journal Rare Byrd Review. The publication is dedicated to showcasing written works by high school juniors and seniors. The story was published in the journal’s 2019 winter edition. Originally from Abbeville, Broussard (’19) has been writing for five years but has only recently considered publishing his work. “Seeing as this is my second publication, I am extremely grateful for the editors of Rare Byrd Review,” Broussard said. “This is also the first time that a short story of mine was published.” Last year, Broussard was published in the Austin International Poetry Festival Youth Anthology for his poem titled “Before Salvation” that was inspired by “Purgatorio,” the second installment of the narrative poem “The Divine Comedy.” “Girl, Goat, Glass” is a modern retelling of the fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel.” “The inspiration for my story was doing my own research on the violence in classic fairy tales, as well as different interpretations of that violence,” Broussard said. “I was heavily influenced by Angela Carter and her feminist reconstruction of famous French fairy tales.”
Beatrice Hoang (’20, pictured left) will be playing with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra during the 2019–20 performance year.
JUNIOR WINS EMERGING ARTISTS COMPETITION Beatrice Hoang (’20) is the new champion at the Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artists Competition in Monroe. She won the Youth Piano Division and took first place over division winners in piano, voice, strings and winds. With her win, she will now have the opportunity to perform Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto” with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra during the 2019– 20 season. Hoang has been playing piano since she was five. “My primary goal as a pianist is to make music that evokes emotion,” she said. “Playing piano is more than just playing all the right notes. I want to make something beautiful and touch people’s hearts.” “I enjoy performing as a pianist and would definitely love to have more performance opportunities,” Hoang said. “The more experience I have, the more I can improve.”
(from l-r) Caleb Baham (’21), Colton Hayes (’21), Elaina Bachman (’21), Acacia Coker (’20), Sara Moore (’20), Katriane Creel (’20), Colt Crain (’19), Lucy Silverman (’21), Rachel Judson (’19) and Sophia Abbahou. (’21)
LSMSA JUNIOR APPOINTED STATE PRESIDENT AT ANNUAL CONVENTION
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Acacia Coker (’20) was appointed Association Louisianaise des Clubs Fraincais des Ecoles Secondaires state president at the group’s 39th annual meeting in New Orleans. “As a state officer, Acacia attended monthly board meetings in Baton Rouge and helped plan for the convention,” French instructor Dr. Nathalie Malti said. “She also spent countless hours working on the school’s video and banner, recruited and coordinated the help of French Club members, and made sure the deadline for submission was met. Through her dedication and hard work, Acacia has proven that she is ready for the next challenge as president of ALCFES.” During the conference, club members participated in a scavenger hunt in the French Quarter and explored French exhibits and architecture. They also took part in several competitions that were hosted throughout the weekend, receiving first place in the French Video Competition and second place in both the Banner and Music Competitions. Senior Colt Crain participated in and won a scholarship competition to attend a two-week summer program at Excelia Group La Rochelle in France. The award, provided by the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana , includes host family housing, a portion of meals, classes, a one-day ticket to the Francofolies music festival and access to other sites. “The competition is challenging because students not only take a written test, but are also interviewed by a panel of foreign judges,” Malti said. “The scholarship offers a French immersion experience to Louisiana students in need of improving their French language skills and cultural awareness for their current and future careers in the state.” The ALCFES is an association of high schools dedicated to preserving and encouraging the use of the French language throughout Louisiana. The trip to the organization’s annual conference was made possible by the LSMSA Foundation.
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Dr. Christina Hillesheim (’05), left, instructs Manjistha Lakhotia (’19) in proper lab technique.
Hillesheim prepares a Bunsen burner for a chemistry demonstration.
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ALUMNA RETURNS TO SCHOOL AS FACULTY MEMBER
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Dr. Christina Hillesheim (’05), believes in encouraging curiosity. “My goal is to make kids love science,” said Hillesheim, LSMSA’s chemistry instructor. “They don’t have to necessarily love chemistry and want to be a chemist, but I don’t want chemistry to be the class that destroys their interest in learning new things and make them stop asking why. I want to keep that curiosity going.” She did not intend on going into teaching. However, while working on her graduate degree at the University of Florida, she co-taught an Introduction to Chemistry class and fell in love with it. “I always played school as a kid and loved explaining how things worked to people,” she stated. “It wasn’t a surprise once I thought about it.”
Hillesheim received her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and her doctorate from Mississippi State University. Before coming to LSMSA, she taught in Tennessee at both the high school and university level. While attending LSMSA, Hillesheim played basketball with the school team. Now, in addition to teaching, she serves as the assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team. “Having been here, I know exactly what I’m getting into, and that makes the classroom setting here so much more rewarding,” she said. “I know the students want to be here, and they’re going to be just as eager as I was.”
The British Commonwealth Graves Commission placed simple stone monuments in most British graveyards. Red poppy wreaths can be found on almost every monument along the Western front.
One of the memorial sites Lankford visited included the Cobbers Monument at Fromelles, dedicated to Australian soldiers. Cobber is Australian slang for friend.
ASSOCIATE LECTURER OF HISTORY TAKES INTERNATIONAL WWI TOUR Dr. Kelly Lankford travelled abroad this summer to visit World War I battlefields in Normandy, France. “I currently teach classes on World War I, a post–Civil War American history survey class, and a women’s history course,” said Lankford, an associate lecturer in history. “It’s already been relevant and beneficial for several of the lessons I have taught in these courses.” Lankford embarked on a professionally led tour of sites across Normandy. During her one-week trip, she was able to visit the Somme, the Lochnagar Crater, the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, and several sites at Ypres, Arras and Fromelle. She realized some battles were more important than she thought. “I learned that some battles that I had previously dismissed before are more important than I had realized,“I now get to show students photos of landscapes I saw and memorials I originally didn’t know had existed,” Lankford said. “I’m also now able to explain how relevant this war still is for France, more so than for Americans. Americans don’t think about WWI in the same way that other countries do.”
The LSMSA Foundation’s Richard G. Brown sional development. Money can be used toward conferences, educational trips, specialized classes and certification programs. It’s paid for:
• Dr. John Littlejohn to attend “The Beatles’ THE WHITE ALBUM: An International Symposium” at Monmouth University in New Jersey. • Dr. Jocelyn Donlon to attend the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.
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Fund supports faculty and staff profes-
She also visited other historic sites, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. A lot of her trip was eye-opening and will inform future lessons for her students, Lankford said. For example, the trip helped her realize the impact that Australians had during the war. “Many Australians make pilgrimages to these sites,” Lankford said “If they know they are going to a WWI battlefield, they are taught to carry around flags and place them at the graves of unknown soldiers to show respect.” Of all of her experiences, Lankford saidher favorite was being able to witness the Menin Gate ceremony, which has been performed every night in Ypres, Belgium, since the 1920s. “It’s a ceremony for those who died during WWI in that area,” Lankford said. “Every night, either the local fire department or a special musical group will play a military song called ‘Last Post.’ They shut down this main street in the city, everyone gets really still, and they do this really formal ceremony. It was very moving.”
• Coordinator of Enrollment Michael Sumner (’07) tour of sister schools’ admissions offices.
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FOUNDATION BUYS NEW CHEMISTRY EQUIPMENT
LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton, NRMC Foundation Board Member Frances Welch, LSMSA senior lecturer of health & physical education Jacob Spielbauer, LSMSA Coordinator of Athletics and Recreation Dale Clingerman, LSMSA Foundation Executive Director Angela Robinson (’93), NRMC Foundation Board Member Marion Johnston, NRMC Vice President of Business Development and Philanthropy Tom Matuschka (’90).
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NATCHITOCHES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION SUPPORTS WELLNESS INITIATIVES AT LSMSA
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The LSMSA Foundation received a near $3,000 grant from the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation to help students stay healthy. The $2,777.48 was used to purchase a glute/hamstring machine, a Stairmaster and weight plates. The grant also made it possible to add blood pressure cuffs to the center’s nurse’s station and hand sanitizer stations around campus. Tom Matuschka (’90), vice president of business development and philanthropy at NRMC, says LSMSA was chosen because the school’s proposal went hand-in-hand with the NRMC Foundation’s overall objective. “The NRMC Foundation chose to support LSMSA’s project because it fits right with our mission to improve the health and wellness of our community,” stated Matuschka, “LSMSA is a core pillar of our community,” Matuschka said “We have a history of foundational support to the school, making this the fourth time we have granted funding to LSMSA.” As an alumnus of the school, Matuschka recused himself from the vote. Jacob Spielbauer, senior lecturer of health and physical education, oversees the Fitness Center and believes it can improve the well-being of students and faculty alike. “Evidence shows that incorporating physical fitness can increase academic performance,” Spielbauer said. “The more alert we are, the better we perform in and out of the classroom.” Physical education courses at LSMSA include yoga, boxing, and weight training as well as other traditional physical education courses. The Fitness Center is open and free to all students who attend the school.
LSMSA chemistry students can now perform new experiments thanks to the LSMSA Foundation. A $2,200 radiation lab includes measuring sensors, Vernier radiation monitors and Pasco sources to help students track and plot data on LabQuests tablets. In years past, students would perform blocking and shielding experiments in class, but would have to compile and plot data on their own for homework. Michele Stover, an associate lecturer of chemistry at LSMSA, felt that this was not effectively teaching students the differences and effects of each radiation type. “Using the new Vernier radiation monitors in conjunction with LabQuests and the new Pasco sources, students are able to test the differences between these three types of radiation with respect to distance and shielding,” Stover said. “Also, with the graphing ability of the LabQuests, students are finally able to see the results of these tests immediately instead of gathering independent data points that have to be analyzed and plotted outside of class to understand.”
(From left) Jasmine Gray (’21) and Tyler Foster (’20) take notes while measuring the effects of radiation and distance.
The LSMSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible. • Mail a check payable to LSMSA Foundation to: 715 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71457 • Online at www.LSMSA.edu/donate • Set up a monthly auto pay through your bank • Volunteer — email foundation@LSMSA.edu
EVERYDAY GIVING The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent 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!
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 UPCs and mail them to the Foundation for use in the Cash for Schools Program. Turn your Coca-Cola product purchases into donations to LSMSA. To donate, 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! LSMSA license plates: Show your support for LSMSA every time you get in the car. The LSMSA license plate is available for vehicles registered in Louisiana. A portion of each registration goes directly back to LSMSA.
PRAECELLEMUS FUND BRINGS GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER TO CAMPUS Jackie Beth Shilcutt, a world-renowned choreographer, taught a dance master class in October. “Having Jackie Beth Shilcutt as a dance guest artist was such a great opportunity because it provided dance students with the opportunity to work with a master teacher and choreographer,” LSMSA dance instructor Crystal Lewis said. “Having her also teach a master class that was open to all students, whether they were taking a dance class or not, provided them the wonderful opportunity to expose more of them to dance.” Shilcutt also worked with students in the dance ensemble and created new choreography for the Spring Dance Concert. Her choreography has been performed all over the world, including in New York, Brazil and Africa. Her performances and productions are often interactive and include atypical performative elements, like stilts or flash murals done by Brazilian artist Paulo Lara. Shilcutt lives in New Mexico and is pursuing a doctorate in kinesiology. She serves as an adjunct professor of dance at Abilene Christian University in Texas. She has presented a TEDx Talk on correlating choreographic principles to the next steps of life. Shilcutt’s trip was made possible by the Praecellemus Fund, which brings scholars, artists and researchers to LSMSA . The fund draws its namesake from the school’s motto, which means “we shall excel.”
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LSMSA The LSMSA Foundation gratefully acknowledges our
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makes a direct impact at LSMSA, please contact Angela
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Robinson (’93), executive director of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Foundation at arobinson@LSMSA.edu or by calling (318) 357-2578.
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equipment and facilities, and provide unique opportuni-
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
LSMSA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Jamie G. Smith (’88), president Kirby Hopkins (’94), vice president Rachel Hughes Stanley (’88), secretary Tesia Campbell (’97), treasurer Matthew Couvillion (’93), Natchitoches liaison
ALUMNI UPDATES
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Have good news to share? We want to hear about births, marriages, new jobs, and anything else exciting that’s happening in your life. Send your updates (including photos) to alumniassociation@LSMSA.edu News may be shared in myLSMSA, upcoming issues of The Gift, and in LSMSA social networks.
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LSMSA has experienced its share of new awakenings this spring. We broke ground for the long-awaited new residence hall on March 13. Scores of LSMSA alumni attended the celebration in person, and even more celebrated from afar. It marks the end of an era for our alma mater. For more than 35 years we made the most out of what we had in Prudhomme and Caddo. The memories we share from those homes still resonate. But it is not the vintage housing that connects us over 35 years, it is the interaction with our classmates that binds our hearts. I am not sad to see Prudhomme and Caddo reduced to rubble. I am confident that the new state-of-the-art living and learning center will enable future students to develop similarly strong bonds. Spring brings transition. This spring, we elected a new president for the Alumni Association. I will finish my second term as association president in 2020. For the first time this spring, we elected a president that will serve for a year as the president-elect. When the new president takes over, I will then serve one more year in an ex officio position as the immediate past president. We made this change so that our association would have some continuity as it continues to grow and move forward. I look forward to working with the new president and the rest of the Executive Council over the next two years. I am proud that the council is not only promoting activities that can be seen outwardly, but we are laying the groundwork for new officers to conduct the business of the LSMSAAA. Gone are the days of index cards and file cabinets. Gone are the days of each new set of officers starting anew. New tools like databases and social media have given us new opportunities to strive for continuity. Spring brings change. For years, classes gathered on graduation weekend to celebrate reunions. Several individual class reunions, though, were held in the early spring. We chose to hold Reunion Weekend in March this year, and most classes participated. Besides avoiding the often-sweltering heat of May, it gives alumni the opportunity to enjoy a weekend that allows the school to focus on reunions. Spring is one of my favorite times of year, and LSMSA is my favorite school. I hope to see many of you at school and alumni activities in the days to come! Jamie G. Smith (‘88) President, LSMSA Alumni Association
Alumni Association President-elect Kirby Hopkins (’94) and Jennifer Chen Hopkins (’95) with their family.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ELECTION RESULTS The results of the recent election for Alumni Association president were announced during the General Assembly held March 30. Congratulations to Kirby D. Hopkins (’94). Hopkins is the vice president of the Alumni Association. He will serve as president-elect for one year before taking office as president on July 1, 2020. Kirby is married to Jennifer Chen Hopkins (’95). They have two children and live in the Houston area. Elections for the remaining positions of Executive Council (vice president, secretary, treasurer, and Natchitoches liaison) will be held in spring 2020.
The results of voting on two constitutional amendments were also announced at the General Assembly, with all amendments passing. These included one technical amendment and one amendment that moved the deadline for officer nominations from March 15 to March 1. This change is intended to better accommodate the move of Reunion Weekend from May to early spring.
Members of the Class of 2018 reconnect at the LSU tailgate.
Chris Sliwinski (’91), Maggie Bailey Pullen (’93), Ren Easterling (’93), Jimmy Lopez (’92) and Julie Sanders (’92) rang in the new year in New Orleans.
The Dallas-Ft. Worth alumni chapter hosted a tailgate in September, featuring BBQ prepared by Paul Carter (’91).
SPRING 2019
Alumni from the 1980s and their children gather for a photo during the LSU tailgate.
Alumni from 2000–2018 at the LSU tailgate in November.
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REUNION WEEKEND MARCH 29–31, 2019
Class of 1989 and families Class of 1999
Class of 1994 and families
SAVE THE DATE! REUNION WEEKEND 2020 — MARCH 20–22, 2020
SOCIAL SERVICE WEEKEND SET FOR JULY 5–7 Alumni and their families are invited back to LSMSA on July 5–7 to help prepare campus for the new school year. THE GIFT
Participants pay a minimal $15 per person for the weekend, with lodging at Prudhomme on Friday and Saturday nights. Registration will open in early June.
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Mary Ann Clemons, Parents’ Council vice president, delivers a chair to Ro Myers during Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week.
Faculty enjoy some Mardi Gras fun during lunch.
Staff in the Eagle Eatery Dining Hall also received gifts from LSMSA parents.
FACULTY AND STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK The Parents’ Council of the LSMSA Foundation sponsored a Mardi Gras-themed week of activities to express appreciation to faculty and staff at LSMSA. Daily breakfasts and door prizes, massages, special gifts, and a BBQ luncheon catered by Paul Carter (’91) were some of the highlights of the week.
Parents and grandparents pause for a group photo before the faculty and staff appreciation luncheon.
END-OF-THE-YEAR CELEBRATION The Parents’ Council’s next big event
Members of the maintenance team are all smiles after receiving LSMSA chairs from the Parents’ Council.
is our End-of-the-Year/Graduation Celebration on Friday, May 17, immediately following Senior Recognition. We’ll have food, music, inflatables and some photo booth fun as our students enjoy celebrating the end of the school year. All students (not just seniors) and we’ll need volunteers to help make the evening a success. Parents should be watching for emails from the Parents’
SPRING 2019
their families are invited to attend, and
Council about how you can help make Faculty and staff enjoy a BBQ luncheon hosted by the Parents’ Council.
Dr. Allison Landry was one of many door prize winners during Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week.
this a special event.
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Louisiana School School Louisiana for Math, Science, and the Arts
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
paid
for Math, F o u Science, n d aand t the i Arts o n
Baton Rouge, LA Permit No. 70
715 University Parkway, N atc hitoc he s, L A 71 45 7
The LSMSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Consider donating today to support quality education in Louisiana through LSMSA! The LSMSA Foundation develops and manages resources to enhance the work of LSMSA, a preeminent, state-supported, residential high school for Louisiana’s high-achieving sophomores, juniors and seniors. Your input is always welcome. Contact Angela Robinson, executive director foundation@LSMSA.edu 318.357.2578 www.LSMSA.edu/Foundation
In Memoriam John B. Cole (’96)
Jake Fontenot (’93) Renaud Holcombe (’00) Ginger McReynolds MacEachran (’93) William Raulston (’15)
Know a student that is right for LSMSA? Tell us! www.LSMSA.edu/ referastudent
SENIOR BANQUET May 5
END OF YEAR CELEBRATION & GRADUATION PARTY May 17
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION May 24 – 26
ALUMNI TAILGATE IN AUSTIN Sept. 7
SENIOR RECOGNITION May 17
LSMSA’S 35th COMMENCEMENT
SOCIAL SERVICE WEEKEND
May 18
July 5–7
ALUMNI TAILGATE IN BATON ROUGE Sept. 14