LSMSA holds Matriculation Ceremony for 44 students from the Blue Cohort
Just a few days before a polar vortex descended on Natchitoches, the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) held a matriculation ceremony for 44 students in the Blue Cohort, who were on campus Jan. 16 through Feb. 14.
“You are no longer Louisiana School novices,” said Associate Lecturer of History Dr. Kyle Stephens, who delivered the Keynote Address. “You are not newbies. You are already veterans who have been tested in virtual classrooms that in many ways have been more challenging than the real thing.”
Director of Academic Services Dr. Kristi Pope Key and Director of Enrollment and Student Services Emily Shumate offered words of wisdom to the students as they walked up onto the stage to receive their certificates. SGO President Paige Delsa and Junior Class President Issac Lecompte oversaw the signing of the matriculation roster by each student.
The matriculants were invited onstage individually and officially welcomed as LSMSA students. Dr. Steve Horton gave them each a certificate and an elbow bump in place of the usual handshake. The event was live-streamed so friends and family members could watch from home.
“You’ve been Eagles for seven months and you’ve only been in the nest for the last four weeks,” said Executive Director Steve Horton. “It seems like you got here yesterday and the time has flown by. You’re the first group to come back to the nest after we closed the campus during the pandemic. We’re doing things a little bit differently and we’re all here to celebrate with you.”
Class of 2021:
Sy’rai Adams - Slidell Jamie Simpson - Lake Charles
Class of 2022:
Ashton Andrepont - Arnaudville Lee Braud - Saint Martinville Max Collette - Lake Charles Nicholas Guagliardo - Ponchatoula Jordan Hoffman - Lake Charles Jillian McDougal - Baton Rouge Michael Meaney - DeRidder Adrianna Rhodes - Benton Lily St. Amant - Ruston Brandon Turner - Sulphur
Class of 2023:
Ren Ackoury - Baton Rouge L.J. Aguillard - Ball Alexis Andersen - Pineville Ravi Baker Olivia Bergen - Lake Charles Aidan Borne - Prairieville Aaron Burton Annemarie Campbell - Patterson Natalie Conravey - Destrehan Carter Copsey - Tickfaw Manasi Desai - Monroe Samantha Dugan - Mandeville Jolie England - Alexandria Madeline Falgout - Ponchatoula Beau Fontenot - Ville Platte Grace Guidry - Covington Kaitlyn Hoang - Houma Arianna Jackson - Mandeville Leighanna Kain - Bossier City Paulina Lamont - Benton Ari Lee - Bush Nena Lyons - Lake Charles Jordan Murray - Pineville Reese Nordan - Lake Charles Kate Peterson - Ruston Uyen Nhi Pham - Lafayette Joy Qiu - Houma Elise Ramcourt - lake Charles Sara Rodrigue - Thibodaux Rosie Shultz - Ruston Noah Speights - Lake Charles Cole Williamson - Lafayette
A second matriculation ceremony will be held March 25 when the Gold Cohort is on campus.
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is the preeminent state-supported residential high school with competitive admissions for Louisiana's high-achieving, highly-motivated sophomores, juniors, and seniors. As a public school, there is no tuition to attend, and assistance from the LSMSA Foundation ensures the program is available to all qualifying students regardless of family financial need.