Hall of Fame welcomes new members

Six seniors were recently inducted into the LSMSA Hall of Fame during the Senior Recognition Ceremony held Friday, May 19, in the A.A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center located on the campus of Northwestern State University.

Each year, a committee comprised of faculty and residential life staff selects seniors for the Robert A. Alost Award. Selection into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor a student can be awarded and is based on exceptional performance in academics, residential life, extracurricular activities and service.

The honor is named for the school’s founding director, Dr. Robert A. Alost. Alost served as director of the school for four years before moving to NSU as president. He has since retired from education, but remains committed to and interested in LSMSA.

“This award is named for Dr. Alost because of his vision and dedication those first crucial years in the history of LSMSA,” said Dr. Steve Horton, executive director.

The inductees are Joshua Ballagh of Leesville, Bethany Jenkins of Ville Platte, Claire Leming of St. Francisville, Elizabeth Long of Natchitoches, Kabir Shah of Natchitoches and Sterling Trafford of Lake Charles.

Joshua Ballagh landed at LSMSA three years ago, but immediately took off and has soared above the clouds ever since.

“He has in some way affected all aspects of our community here at LSMSA: our residential life, our academic life and our social life,” said Horton. “Joshua doesn’t distinguish between those three aspects of our life here – after all, he knows that learning comes from all three areas.”

Bethany Jenkins illustrates what it means to be intelligent, diligent and, above all, gracious. In her role as ambassador and peer mentor, she has used her gifts to help others.

“Perhaps what defines her most accurately is her confident modesty,” said Horton. “We know she will represent our school well when she enters Harvard University in the fall of 2017.”

Claire Leming is not just dedicated to academics. She serves as an ambassador for the school, is involved in LASCO and the volleyball team.

“It is hard to find a time that Claire does not have a smile on her face,” said Horton. “She is always trying to make everyone’s day a little bit better and serves as a great role model for her peers.”

Elizabeth Long makes everything look easy. She writes well, contributes meaningfully to class discussions, takes on extra work and is an excellent ambassador for the school both on and off campus.

“Elizabeth has taken numerous upper-level biology and chemistry courses here at LSMSA, and has turned in superlative work across the board,” said Horton. “In addition to taking three lab science classes this year, she undertook an advanced year-long organic chemistry independent study project.”

Kabir Shah exemplifies what it takes to be successful. He has compiled an impressive grade point average while navigating through a gauntlet of diverse classes. He could be found in numerous instructors’ offices eliciting questions and conversation, tutoring his peers, playing soccer, working out in the WRAC or just running around campus.

“Kabir is never content with his own success,” said Horton.

Sterling Trafford has been one of the most consistently cheerful and helpful individuals on campus.

“In addition to setting a fine example in the classroom, he is always ready to assist at such events at SLAMT and Exploration Day,” said Horton. “He is quick with a joke when the situation calls for it, but he is also a serious, intelligent, articulate student who will succeed admirable at the next level.”