LSMSA Welcomes 132 New Students During 42nd Annual Matriculation Ceremony

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) officially welcomed 132 new students representing 58% of the state’s parishes during its 42nd annual Matriculation Ceremony held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 at A.A. Fredericks Auditorium on the campus of Northwestern State University. Of more than 200 applicants statewide, 140 students were invited to attend the tuition-free, state-funded residential school for high-achieving, academically motivated students. The ’24-’25 school year began at LSMSA on Wednesday, Aug. 21. 

 

The group of new students includes 77 new sophomores, 50 new juniors, and five new seniors. Matriculants joined LSMSA leadership onstage to sign the school’s enrollment roster, a tradition that officially enshrines each of their places in the school's 41-year history. 

 

Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton formally welcomed students and their families to LSMSA. 

 

“I hope that you’re becoming aware of what happens when you flex your talents and abilities, when you expand your capacity to study, work, and learn,” said Dr. Horton. “I hope that you already sense what it can mean for you to soar with the eagles.”

 

The keynote address, delivered by LSMSA Principal Lecturer of Biology Dr. Allison Landry, encouraged new students to remain resilient under pressure and to rely upon their fellow students for support.  

 

“Resilience means rebounding from setbacks and struggles, putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward,” said Dr. Landry.   

 

Processional music was performed by the LSMSA Mixed Ensemble under the leadership of Instructor of Instrumentals, Theory and Composition Michael Young. The National Anthem was sung by Sophie Lee (’26), of Bossier Parish, and the LSMSA alma mater was sung by Elizabeth Porche (’26), of Ascension Parish. The senior class reflection was delivered by Senior Class President Blaise Albarez (’25), of St. Tammany Parish. Following the ceremony, students returned home to enjoy the first Extended Weekend of the academic year. 

 

New LSMSA students, grouped by parish in alphabetical order, are:

 

Megan Gafford, Allen Parish 
Noah Guidry, Allen Parish
Gentry Parker, Allen Parish
Aubrey Sonnier, Allen Parish
Cara Vidrine, Allen Parish 
Marley Wier, Allen Parish

 

John Lemoine, Avoyelles Parish

 

Hope Dollard, Bossier Parish
Lucas Espinoza, Bossier Parish
Elise Hebert, Bossier Parish
Savannah Rimmer, Bossier Parish

 

London Beaubouef, Caddo Parish

Emerson Bruhnke, Caddo Parish
Gloria Jung, Caddo Parish
Owen Thomason, Caddo Parish

 

Brenna Cobler, Calcasieu Parish

Carlos Este-McDonald, Calcasieu Parish
Ellie Fuselier, Calcasieu Parish
Sara Hufstedler, Calcasieu Parish
Jonathan Kaluturi, Calcasieu Parish
Lee Reed-Vital, Calcasieu Parish
Julien Vallee, Calcasieu Parish

 

Olivia Eames, Catahoula Parish

 

Alton Hall, Concordia Parish
Sophie Tisdale, Concordia Parish

 

Leslie Barber, De Soto Parish
Dylan McCain, De Soto Parish
Izaiah Pittman, De Soto Parish
Kelsey Price, De Soto Parish
Kendal Sant, De Soto Parish

 

Sophia Bartlett, East Baton Rouge Parish
Kyra James, East Baton Rouge Parish
Anyalina Vertigan, East Baton Rouge Parish
 
Shelby Fruge, Evangeline Parish
Mackenzie Laclos, Evangeline Parish
Kate Lee, Evangeline Parish

 

Kara Higginbotham, Franklin Parish

 

John "Luke" Butterfield, Grant Parish

 

Jackson Bass, Jefferson Parish
Madeleine Birke, Jefferson Parish
Ava Cox, Jefferson Parish
Eriniessia Henry, Jefferson Parish
Luke Naylor, Jefferson Parish
Owen Rose, Jefferson Parish
Madison Whittaker, Jefferson Parish

 

Gracie Champagne, Lafayette Parish
Charlotte DeClouet, Lafayette Parish
Boston Kennerson, Lafayette Parish
Elizabeth "Faith" Grahmann, Lafayette Parish
Cohen LaGrange, Lafayette Parish
Mason Naquin, Lafayette Parish
Beau Patin, Lafayette Parish
Leo Wang, Lafayette Parish

 

Isabelle McDonald, Lafourche Parish

 

Emma Yu, Lincoln Parish

Emily Mwatibo, Livingston Parish
Izzie Olinde, Livingston Parish
Emmalynn Rupe, Livingston Parish
Ashlynn Stafford, Livingston Parish

 

Chris Anderson, Natchitoches Parish
Arwen Brown, Natchitoches Parish
Cameron Brunson, Natchitoches Parish
Aidan Carney, Natchitoches Parish
Aiden Cooper, Natchitoches Parish
Kale Doffitt, Natchitoches Parish
Alison Key, Natchitoches Parish
Aaron Maynard, Natchitoches Parish
Tony Miller, Natchitoches Parish
Brian Morris, Natchitoches Parish
Sean Remo, Natchitoches Parish
Ana Reynolds-Perez, Natchitoches Parish
Vinnie Sayles, Natchitoches Parish
Zavion Sowell, Natchitoches Parish
Lindsey Stewart, Natchitoches Parish
Isaac Young, Natchitoches Parish
Nathaniel Young, Natchitoches Parish

 

Evie Rome, Orleans Parish

 

Evan Holley, Ouachita Parish
Immanuel Laurent, Ouachita Parish
Traylor Nagem, Ouachita Parish
John Phillips, Ouachita Parish 

 

Kylie Pickett, Pointe Coupee Parish

Madelyn Springstead, Pointe Coupee Parish

 

Olivia Adams-Giron, Rapides Parish
Carson Davis, Rapides Parish
Will Elliott, Rapides Parish
Franklin Ingalls, Rapides Parish
Mia Parrish, Rapides Parish

 

Jackson Coplin, Sabine Parish

 

Liam Abadie, St. Bernard Parish
Alexandra Hepburn, St. Bernard Parish

 

Julia Farizo, St. Charles Parish
Emil Galliano, St. Charles Parish
Claire Green, St. Charles Parish
John Reed, St. Charles Parish

 

Lana McMillan, St. Helena Parish

 

Caiden Bergeron, St. James Parish

Evelyn Richie, St. James Parish

 

Katherine Estes, St. Landry Parish
Logan Schexnider, St. Landry Parish

 

Caleb Theriot, St. Martin Parish

 

Adyson Allen, St. Tammany Parish
Sofia Anello, St. Tammany Parish
Miles Barthels, St. Tammany Parish
Madison Bonnet, St. Tammany Parish
Amelie Hanson, St. Tammany Parish
Evelyn Hrabovsky, St. Tammany Parish
Matthew Pooler, St. Tammany Parish
Aeris Smith, St. Tammany Parish 
Parker Thomas, St. Tammany Parish
Arina Vassilieva, St. Tammany Parish

 

James Betz, Tangipahoa Parish
Anderson Brumfield, Tangipahoa Parish 
Leah Crawford, Tangipahoa Parish
Anah Davis, Tangipahoa Parish
Madeleine McClure, Tangipahoa Parish

Wendy Monroe, Tangipahoa Parish

 

Grady Boron, Terrebonne Parish
Mischa Brown, Terrebonne Parish 
Alex Cole, Terrebonne Parish 

 

Graci Noel, Vermilion Parish 

 

Izabella Ganaway, Vernon Parish
Paulina Hsiau, Vernon Parish
Hugh Martin, Vernon Parish
Pranay Patel, Vernon Parish

 

Ellie Ganley, Washington Parish
Ian Meyers, Washington Parish
Eli Robb, Washington Post

 

Adelaide Gibbs, Webster Parish

 

Sophie Hauptman, West Baton Rouge Parish
Abbygale Brown, West Baton Rouge Parish

 

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, or to apply for admission to LSMSA, visit www.LSMSA.edu.