LSMSA Celebrates the Class of '25 at Annual Senior Recognition Ceremony

On Saturday, May 17, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts held its annual Senior Recognition Ceremony to honor the Class of '25. The ceremony honors graduating seniors by celebrating personal character, academic excellence, and the development of skills in each academic discipline. 

             

LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton served as Master of Ceremonies, Senior Class President Blaise Albarez led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Student Government Organization President Peter Yu delivered the welcoming address to his fellow classmates before accepting an honorary gavel for his leadership and service to the school.  

            

Yu reflected on what earning an LSMSA diploma truly means. More than a certificate, it represents late nights spent in office hours, the transition to independent living, and the courage to leave familiar schools behind in pursuit of growth. He reminded his classmates that, though the Class of '25 will soon head off to colleges and programs across the globe, the bonds that they share will endure.  

 

"These unique and shared experiences have enabled us to grow not only as individuals but also as a community," Yu said. 

 

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

             

Kayleigh Dewberry received the honor of serving as Gonfaloniere for the Creative and Performing Arts; Sayleigh Butterfield was chosen to represent the Humanities; Claudia Varnado was selected to carry the Languages Gonfalon; Peter Yu was chosen to represent Math and Computer Science; Lily Buckles was chosen as the Sciences Gonfaloniere; and Anderson Kelly was selected as the Health and Physical Education Gonfaloniere.  

 

Graduation with Distinction was awarded to seven students in the Class of '25 who completed a program of independent academic study or artistic endeavor beyond formal course requirements. In their junior year, these students were invited to identify their potential project, then undertook an intense program of reading, research, and creative activity throughout their senior year. The students’ culminating presentations took place during the school’s Blue & Gold Week, an annual celebration of student research and artistic accomplishments. The following LSMSA seniors graduated with distinction: William Ballanco, of Sunset; Lily Buckles, of Lake Charles; Kayleigh Dewberry, of Gibsland; Marlie Harris, of Berwick; Jude Kannankeril, of Marrero; Esha Patel, of Alexandria; and Claudia Varnado, of Zachary. 

 

In addition to their high school diplomas, seniors who also earned college credit from their classes or who are candidates for the associate degree were recognized. This is because of a partnership LSMSA formed with Northwestern State University when the first graduating class arrived on campus in the fall of 1983, which has only continued to grow over the last 41 years. NSU and LSMSA had a dual enrollment program for students to earn college credit fully implemented 20 years before others followed suit. Annually more than 77 percent of the LSMSA student body takes advantage of LSMSA’s dual enrollment program. 

 

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, with involvement in a third, along with academic excellence, meaningful contributions to campus life, and strong performance in residential life. This prestigious award is not presented every year due to its high standards. This year’s recipient is Wae Methvin, of Ponchatoula. 

 

Madeline Riles, of Carencro, was the winner of the Eric Candell Excellence in Physics Award. The award, created in memory of a 1987 graduate, is granted with a $100 check gifted by the Candell family to a student who has developed considerable mastery in the subject of Physics.  

 

Hayden Cosper, of Jonesville, was honored as a Caroline Dormon Scholar for excelling in courses such as Ecology, Environmental Science, Botany, and Animal Behavior, and for demonstrating sensitivity to the arts and humanities through their personal interests and formal course work.   

 

The Marvin Lockhart Work Service Award was developed in memory of one of LSMSA’s former employees. It was presented to Emi Masden, of Baton Rouge, and Wae Methvin, of Ponchatoula, for illustrating selflessness, dedication, dependability, and an unrelenting desire to help their peers and those in their community. 

 

Chad Johnson, of Luling, Anderson Kelly, of Natchitoches, and Madeline Riles, of Carencro, received the Sharon Sturdivant Williams Praecellemus Award. Named after one of the founding members of LSMSA’s administration, students who are selected for this honor best represent the school’s motto, “We shall excel.” 

 

Cade Aucoin, of Franklinton, Madi Bach, of Luling, and Wesley Maidoh, of Houma, each received the Bill Ebarb Spirit of LSMSA Award. This award recognizes students who best exemplify the pillars of LSMSA school spirit, demonstrating hard work, perseverance, service, involvement, and camaraderie.  

 

The Excelsior Award, established in 2024 by LSMSA alumni Peter and Tao Marlo (‘94), 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 cash award was presented to Jacob Hypes, of Natchitoches. 

 

Clayton Trosclair, a member of the graduating class of 1996 and his partner Dennis Newdell, established the Iris Award to recognize students whose path of leadership and service cannot be replicated. The recipient is awarded a $1,000 check to help with transitional expenses for college. This year’s award was presented to Dru Thibodaux, of Gray. 

 

Three seniors were inducted into LSMSA's Robert Alost Hall of Fame. Named after the school’s founding director, this is considered the highest honor bestowed upon LSMSA seniors. Student recipients are hand-picked by a committee of faculty and residential life staff members. New LSMSA Hall of Fame members are Lily Buckles, of Lake Charles, Raven Valentine, of Houma, and Peter Yu, of Choudrant. 

 

Following the awards, each senior presented their college choice on stage, with 68 percent of the Class of 2025 attending universities in Louisiana and 29 percent attending schools across the country and abroad. 

 

ABOUT LSMSA 

LSMSA is a tuition-free, public high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a nominal room and board fee to cover housing, meals, and campus activities. The LSMSA Foundation offers assistance for families so that no eligible student is denied the school’s 42-year legacy of a college-level living/learning experience. For more information about LSMSA, or to apply for the Fall ‘25 academic school year, visit www.LSMSA.edu.  

 

For more information, or to apply for admission to LSMSA, visit www.LSMSA.edu/apply.