EXCEL Alum Achieves Collegiate Excellence

Last summer we caught up with Hammond native and EXCEL alumnus Jada Bezue (‘19). Now attending Xavier University, Jada fondly recalls LSMSA’s EXCEL program and credits it for the good study habits and flexibility that she uses to balance everything on her plate.
Learning has always been a way of life for Jada, from her dad yelling quizzes while cooking to her mom supplementing school at home. She even had the unique opportunity to learn music from now First Lady of Louisiana, Donna Edwards, in Hammond. Because education was a priority, LSMSA was Bezue’s high school of choice early on. She participated in LSMSA’s summer EXCEL program with 20 to 30 other potential applicants from under-resourced rural and inner-city schools. 

Two years later when the Black Student Union President simultaneously received her high school diploma and Associate’s Degree, her childhood teacher was on hand to not only applaud her successes, but also to deliver her commencement address, offering the class parting words from Dr. Seuss: “Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” 

As a college student, Bezue is moving those mountains between academics and extracurricular activities.
“EXCEL taught me to persevere and to never let your background determine your success,” said Bezue.

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