LSMSA Celebrates the Class of 2026 at Senior Recognition Ceremony

5/21/2026

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts held its annual Senior Recognition Ceremony Friday, May 15, celebrating the Class of 2026's achievements in academic excellence, artistic accomplishment, personal character, and residential community life.

LSMSA Math and Computer Science faculty member Dave Andersen served as master of ceremonies. Senior Class President Anna Weaver led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Student Government Organization President Roz Hubbell delivered the welcoming address to her fellow classmates before accepting an honorary gavel for her leadership and service to the school.

In her address, Hubbell reflected on the community that shaped the Class of 2026. "Eagles, thank you for sharing your gifts and talents, for caring for each other, and for making your world a better place," she said. Hubbell credited the spirit of the school, one where students lift up one another, as the foundation for pursuing ambitious goals without fear of failure. She closed her remarks with advice she received from staff member Jeni Stephens: "Know you're going to fail at things, and do them anyway. Know that not all roads lead somewhere, and take them anyway. Do something because it can teach you about yourself and others. Do not begin with the pressure of perfection but with the audacity of adventure."

Seniors who completed the requirements of the Associate of General Studies degree at Northwestern State University (NSU) in the course of their LSMSA studies were also recognized. They will have their associate degrees conferred through the school’s dual enrollment agreement at the completion of NSU’s summer semester. This is a result of the longstanding partnership between the two institutions that has grown steadily since LSMSA’s establishment in 1983.

Each major discipline (Creative and Performing Arts, Humanities, Languages, Math and Computer Science, Sciences, and Health and Physical Education) bestowed Excellence Awards to seniors who best exemplify their individual departments. Each department also introduced a chosen gonfaloniere, or "flag bearer," deemed to embody excellence in that field. These students were privileged to carry the gonfalon for their respective department during the Commencement Ceremony procession.

Isabelle Gillett of Lafayette received the honor of serving as gonfaloniere for the Creative and Performing Arts; Logan Schexnider of Arnaudville was chosen to represent the Humanities; Duncan Brown of Natchitoches was selected to carry the Languages gonfalon; Bryan Chen of Natchitoches was chosen to represent Math and Computer Science; Monika Garlapati of West Monroe was chosen as the Sciences gonfaloniere; and Julia Dobbins of DeRidder was selected as the Health and Physical Education gonfaloniere.

An Excellence in Residential Life award was presented to 13 students who consistently contributed to the residential experience and helped make LSMSA a better place. The 2026 senior recipients are: Sofia Anello of Madisonville, Anika Chegireddy of Monroe, Monika Garlapati of West Monroe, Kaylee Gauthreaux of Sunshine, Roz Hubbell of Schriever, Juliet Hyams of Natchitoches, Olivia Luebbert of Belle Chasse, Sean Remo of Natchitoches, Mary Schrader of DeRidder, Caleb Therio of Parks, Danny Ye of Houma, Lucy Centanni of Lafayette, and Evan Dong of Houma.

Graduation with Distinction was awarded to nine students of the Class of 2026 who completed programs of independent academic study or artistic endeavor beyond formal course requirements. In their junior year, these students identified their potential projects before undertaking intensive programs of reading, research, and creative activity during their senior year. The students' culminating presentations took place during LSMSA's Blue and Gold Week, an annual celebration of student research and artistic accomplishments. The following are 2026 Graduates with Distinction: Monika Garlapati of West Monroe, Elizabeth Faith Grahmann of Lafayette, Juliet Claire Marie Hyams of Natchitoches, Olivia Luebbert of Belle Chasse, Jai Patel of Lake Charles, Annabel Schleifstein of New Orleans, Mary Schrader of Deridder, Amelia Willis of Houma, and Julia Wisdom of St. Martinville.

The Marie Louise Snellings Award for Outstanding Arts Student, established in 1988, honors a student who: demonstrates exceptional achievement in at least two areas of the Creative and Performing Arts while participating in a third area, maintains academic excellence, contributes meaningfully to campus life, and performs strongly in residential life. Due to its high-level requirements, this prestigious award is not presented every year. This year's recipient is Sofia Anello of Madisonville.

The Eric Candell Excellence in Physics Award is given to a student who embodies excellence in advanced physics courses, including Quantum Mechanics, Mathematical Methods in Physics, Astronomy, and Spacetime Physics. This year's recipient is Annabel Schleifstein of New Orleans.

The Marvin Lockhart Excellence in Work Service Award, created in memory of the former LSMSA employee, was presented to McKenzie Harrell of Metairie, Madelynn Weatherford of Leesville, and Ava Cox of Metairie, for illustrating selflessness, dedication, dependability, and an unrelenting desire to help their peers and those in their community.

Logan Schexnider of Arnaudville and Danny Ye of Houma received the Sharon Sturdivant Williams Praecellemus Award. Named after one of the founding members of LSMSA's administration, this honor is given to students who best represent the school's motto: "We shall excel."

Amelia Willis of Houma, Julia Wisdom of St. Martinville, and Bryan Chen of Natchitoches received the Bill Ebarb Spirit of LSMSA Award. This award recognizes a student whose actions and character best exemplify LSMSA's culture of hard work, perseverance, camaraderie, involvement, and service to the community. It acknowledges a student's unique and meaningful contributions, celebrating how their actions have impacted and inspired peers, teachers, and other members of the school.

The Excelsior Award, established in 2024 by LSMSA alumni Peter and Thao Marzullo (both Class of 1994) honors a senior who exemplifies excellence in student and community leadership while serving as an inspiring role model. Recipients promote a collaborative, respectful, and supportive learning environment that fosters school pride. This year's $2,000 award was presented to Jai Patel of Lake Charles.

Clayton Trosclair (Class of 1996) and his partner Dennis Nudel established the Iris Award to recognize students with unique paths of leadership and service. The recipient receives $1,000 to help with transitional expenses for college. This year's award was presented to Kaylee Gauthreaux of Sunshine.

The Executive Director's Above and Beyond Award, established in 2018, honors graduates who have engaged with LSMSA in new and important ways, recognizing students that shape the school, lead change, embrace growth, and challenge the community to become its best self. The award honors students who have themselves been stretched, challenged, and transformed by their time at LSMSA. The 2026 award was presented to Jo Bertrand of Kinder.

This year, four students were inducted into the school's distinguished Robert A. Alost Hall of Fame. Named after the school's founding director, selection for the Hall of Fame is the highest honor a Louisiana School student can receive and is based on excellent performance in academics, residential life, extracurricular activities, and service to the school. New Hall of Fame members are Roz Hubbell of Schriever, Monika Garlapati of West Monroe, Mary Schrader of Deridder, and Faith Grahmann of Lafayette. Each student’s photo will be permanently displayed in the Hall of Fame in the High School Building.

Following the awards, each senior presented their college choice on stage, with 57 percent of the Class of 2026 attending universities in Louisiana and 43 percent attending schools across the country and abroad.

The ceremony closed with a heartfelt address from senior Brenna Cobler of Lake Charles. Drawing on her time at LSMSA, Cobler reflected on the lasting imprints left by the people she met and moments shared. "The people who have touched my heart in some way are intertwined into every part of my day," she told her classmates, describing how the connections forged at LSMSA will stay with her even long after leaving campus. She encouraged the Class of 2026 to resist the pressure to conform and to trust in their own sense of purpose. "Each Eagle sitting here today has a spark within them; that's what led you here," she said. Cobler closed with a challenge rooted in authenticity: "Stay true to yourself the same way Dr. Stephens stays true to that chalk. Don't settle for low quality. Have the audacity to soar."

ABOUT LSMSA

LSMSA is a tuition-free, public residential high school serving high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors from across Louisiana. Financial assistance is available to ensure access to its 43-year tradition of a rigorous, college-level living and learning experience.

For more information about LSMSA, or to apply for the fall 2026 academic year, visit www.lsmsa.edu.

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LSMSA Celebrates the Class of 2026 at Senior Recognition Ceremony

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts

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