Class of 2018 garners accolades during ceremony

Eight earn special awards during senior recognition
Eight members of the Class of 2018 at LSMSA were presented with special awards during the Senior Recognition Ceremony held Friday, May 18, in the A.A. Fredericks auditorium located on the campus of Northwestern State University.

Nathan Ward of Anacoco was presented the Eric Candell Excellence in Physics award.

This award is given in memory of Eric Candell, a 1987 graduate of LSMSA who went on to study at Cal Tech. He was finishing a doctorate in physics at M.I.T. in 1996 when he suddenly passed away.

The Candell family established this award that has been given each year since 1996 to the senior whom the science faculty believes best exhibits excellence in physics.

“It is an honor for us to present this award to students who embody excellence by taking about as many advanced physics courses at LSMSA to have a four-year college degree in physics,” said Dr. Allison Landry, chair of the Department of Science.

Reed Middendorf of Natchitoches was presented the Caroline Dorman Scholar award.

Born in Natchitoches Parish in 1888, Caroline Dorman was a well-known horticulturist, conservationist and journalist. In addition, she was a civic activist who was responsible for the establishment of the Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana.

“In keeping with Dorman’s broad intellectual legacy, Caroline Dorman scholars are students who have excelled in such courses as ecology, environmental science, botany and animal behavior, and who have demonstrated sensitivity to the arts and humanities through their personal interests and formal course work,” said Landry.

The Marvin Lockhart Excellence in Work Service award was presented to Zachary Baham of Baton Rouge and Caitlin Foster of LaPlace.

This award is presented to students who demonstrate dependability, competence and the spirit of unselfishness and cooperation in carrying out the responsibilities of the work service program. Until his untimely death in 1987, Marvin Lockhart was a fine craftsman, a skilled and energetic employee of LSMSA and a devoted and generous friend to students, staff and faculty.

Zachary Baham has quietly stood out as the epitome of courteous, devoted and mature service to the LSMSA community. He is unfailingly friendly. One work service supervisor commented that he could easier imagine him with three heads than he could imagine Baham uttering a single complaint.

Baham paid his dues his junior year by pushing a waste bin up and down the corridors of the High School Building, dipping in and out of faculty offices with consummate good humor and polite words of greeting each and every time. This so impressed a faculty member that he was recruited to serve as a research assistant, a role in which he excelled.

“Zachary Baham has set a gold standard for work service at LSMSA, and he will be missed when he graduates,” said Jenny Schmitt, assistant director of student life.

Caitlin Foster demonstrated a belief that all work has value and that service to the community is important. While changing work service supervisors many times, Foster has striven to support the departmental efforts of each area she worked by constantly going above and beyond and always showing up to help. She worked more hours than required on a regular basis, never once complaining.

Recipients of the Dr. Sharon Sturdivant Williams Pracellemus award were Garett Byrne of Walker and Shemya Mozeke of Homer.

This award recognizes the immeasurable contribution of Dr. Sharon Williams, a founding member of the LSMSA administration. It is presented to a senior who throughout his or her tenure at LSMSA has exemplified the school’s motto – We Shall Excel.

Garett Byrne definitely had to make some choices about how to react to situations beyond his control. As a young child, circumstances in his parents’ lives forced him to grow up earlier than most kids. Fortunately, he found a different anchor for his life and chose to pursue it rather than heading down the dark path he could have taken.

As his parents got their lives realigned and their family back together, he got friends together to play music at a treatment center; helped serve food at Mission Heart, a sober living house; and helped write grants to keep Mission Heart running.

Through the fast track program, Byrne found his way to LSMSA. In addition to the rigorous academic schedule, he has maintained a busy practice and performance schedule as a member of both the mixed ensemble and the chorale, earning places in multiple district and all state honor ensembles.

“Garett Byrne’s kind and generous heart reflects the spirit for which this award was created,” said John Allen, chief of staff and director of operations and finance at LSMSA.

Shemya Mozeke not only overcame obstacles, she turned what most people would call negatives into positives. She came from a rural school and difficult upbringing into one of the most challenging schools in the state. She did not make excuses about her challenges and limitations, she embraced them. She worked hard in the summer to overcome her limitations so that she could maximize her own potential.

Mozeke spent countless hours in many instructors’ offices to grasp material so that she could do her best. She not only gives everything her all, she gives everyone her all. This was recognized as she became a peer advocate, a program which allowed her to help others with difficulties, listen carefully and give honest feedback.

“You will be hard pressed to find a more determined young woman with such a bright future ahead of her,” said one staff member.

Adreanna Queen of Natchitoches and Sofia Rivera of Covington were presented the Spirit of Louisiana School award.

The Spirit of Louisiana School award recognizes a student whose actions and character best exemplify the school’s spirit of hard work, perseverance, spirit of camaraderie, involvement and service to the school. This award acknowledges and celebrates the student’s unique and meaningful contribution to the school and how his or her actions have impacted and inspired peers, teachers and other members of the LSMSA community.

You would be hard pressed to find one person on the LSMSA campus who does not deeply respect Queen’s attitude and presence. This young scholar is that rare person who can explain student culture academically, without revealing confidences and maintain everyone’s trust as she does so. During her sophomore year, heading into a solid, high B in a history course, she wrote such a stunningly comprehensive and beautiful final exam that it is now that teacher’s benchmark for what it takes to dig in and earn that A at the end.

Sofia Rivera’s arrival to LSMSA was marked by an immediate rise in overall campus morale. With her optimistic demeanor, Rivera integrated right away into campus life, earning a reputation for academic hardiness and maturity regardless of the discipline, regardless of the professor.

Rivera, in addition to amassing an impressive academic transcript, also demonstrated civic leadership through her work as an ambassador, representing the community with grace and optimism. Her campus service also extended to important work with the SPICE Club and with the Student Government Organization. In both areas she demonstrated genuine leadership, thoughtfulness, grace and optimism.
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