LSMSA welcomes 134 new students at Matriculation Ceremony

After a competitive application process, these students were invited to attend the tuition-free, state-funded residential school for high-achieving, academically motivated students.

The group of new students comprises 65 new sophomores, 68 new juniors, and 1 new senior, representing 56% of the state’s parishes. During the ceremony, new students were invited on-stage to cement their place in LSMSA’s ever-growing history by signing the matriculation book. This act publicly demonstrates their commitment to the school’s traditions, curriculum, and legacy to family, faculty, staff, alumni, and peers in attendance.

Executive Director Dr. Jason Anderson formally welcomed the new students and their families to LSMSA at the ceremony’s opening.

“My hope is that even in these first few weeks you are starting to notice something changing in you. It may be quiet, it may be subtle, and it is still taking shape,” said Dr. Anderson. “I hope you are beginning to understand that your gifts are not fixed in place: they can grow, and so can you. You can learn more, you can lead more, and become more than you may have imagined when you first arrived here three weeks ago.”

LSMSA Athletics Director Dale Clingerman delivered the keynote address, giving advice to the newest eagles on what to expect during their time at the school. Clingerman encouraged students to take full advantage of their new opportunities, embrace their newfound family, and engage with life at LSMSA to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Processional music was performed by the LSMSA Mixed Ensemble, conducted by Instructor of Instrumentals, Composition, and Ensemble Michael Young. The National Anthem was sung by Ana Reynolds-Perez (‘27), of Natchitoches Parish. The LSMSA alma mater was sung by Deputy Executive Director Josh Finch. The senior class reflection was delivered by Senior Class President Kylie Pierce (‘26) of Lafourche Parish. Following the ceremony, students returned home to enjoy the first Extended Weekend of the academic year.

New LSMSA students, grouped by parish are:

Acadia Parish: Charlee Blanchard, Aidan Lentz

Ascension Parish: Cami Cunrod, Laura Goff, Charlotte Hornsby, Cassandra Robinson

 

Assumption Parish: Stanley Aucoin IV

Avoyelles Parish: Gabe Bradford

 

Bossier Parish: Kesley Bissell, Caleb Middlebrooks

Caddo Parish: Bella Boyd, Isabella Castaneda, Kasey Gilcrease, Josh Johnson, Carter Ray, Sarai Soto

Calcasieu Parish: Machen Cox Jr., Mauricio Este-McDonald, Remy Girard, Leo Kudla,
Izana Leslie, Ava Tarou

Caldwell Parish: Sebastian Jordan, Kole Swett

De Soto Parish: Lucas Herbert, Aubrey Huffer, Molly Manning, Cayden McClain

East Baton Rouge Parish: Zoe Agbanyo, Brooklyn Chisley, Alex Gustafson, Solei Linton, Leni Stephens

Grant Parish: Jordyn Cupp, Sawyer Dees

Iberia Parish: Clay Boudoin, Luke Broussard, Alex DeRouen, Patrick McCroskey

Jefferson Parish: Raven Bansal-Goodman, Tito Fuentes Banegas, Frank Marquar Jr

Jefferson Davis Parish: Jake Menard

LaSalle Parish: Laurel Pugh

Lafayette Parish: Leah Alfonso, Sophia Bellard, Haden Guidry, Ryan Murphy, Addisyn Worley

Lafourche Parish: Nathan Folse, Miliza Saidu

Lincoln Parish: Ian Liu, Harper Thompson

Livingston Parish: Mantis Broady, Abigail Lamy, Kyndal Reno, Haylee Robison

Natchitoches Parish: Lilly Boyd, Sydney Culotta, Grace Day, Jada Drake, Kenzie Drury, Tano Eleyae, Piper Foshee, Anthony Giannone Flores, Eli Hypes, Callie Mangum, Patrick Martinez, Nokue Mazhandu, Amelia Picou, Joshua Walsworth

 

Orleans Parish: Marli Brown

Ouachita Parish: Trinity Lofton, Daniel Murphy

Plaquemines Parish: Chloe Venable

Pointe Coupee Parish: Evan Barnes

 

Rapides Parish: Lily Breland, AD Brown, Robert Bruner, Ryleigh Chandler, Hannah Flynn, Riley Gallagher, Alyssa Guillory, Kari Jourdan, Phoebe Lytle, Sean Phillips, Avaha Russell, Dez Russell, Nolan Seay, Gavin West

 

St. Charles Parish: Jonah England

St. James Parish: Abigail Brown, Brielle Schexsnayder

St. Landry Parish: Marley O'Brien

St. Martin Parish: Parish Breaux, Ares Ivanoff, Luna Molodkin, Kailey Patin, Lillian Pommier, Ruby Thibodeaux, Gav Vargas, Rhailyn Washington

St. Mary Parish: Logan Randall

 

St. Tammany Parish: Emily Brough, Meabh Delaney, Thuy Do, Cailah Faucheux, Josie Gonzales, Isaiah Hobbs, Chioma Kanu, Adam Lorenzen, Christine Mackenzie, Emily Maras, Adia Morrill, Makayla Nelson, Gianna Pagano, Brandon Romero, Dylan Song, Hailey Villemuer, Anna Whittaker, Josh Williams, Jemma Zaffron

 

Tangipahoa Parish: Nox Betz

 

Terrebonne Parish: Ivy Dudek IV, Lilly Frohman, Cullen Hebert

 

Vermilion Parish: Maverick Griffin, Reese Koch, Lilly Noel

 

Vernon Parish: Kerick Chen, Danny Donovan, Evren McWilliams

 

West Baton Rouge Parish: Karla Arvie

 

An archived recording of the 2026 Matriculation livestream is available for viewing on the school’s profile at https://livestream.lsmsa.edu/.

LSMSA is Louisiana’s preeminent state-supported residential high school with competitive admissions for 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 that the program is accessible to all qualifying students regardless of financial circumstances. For more information about LSMSA, or to apply for the fall 2027 academic year, visit www.lsmsa.edu.