Panthers Recognized at 2020 Academic Honors Day Celebration

Panthers Recognized at 2020 Academic Honors Day Celebration

Nine Woodlawn Panthers took away awards at the 2020 Academic Honors Day Celebration held on Thursday, March 5 at the Raising Cane’s River Center. The celebration recognizes EBR High School Juniors and Seniors who earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for the 2019-2020 school year. Students who are invited to attend the celebration have the opportunity to walk away with scholarships and other prizes to assist them in their academic careers.

In total, five seniors and four juniors were recognized from Woodlawn High.

Woodlawn junior Liniah Slater was the big winner of the entire celebration. Liniah was awarded with the largest prize of the day, a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. Liniah carries a 3.0 GPA at Woodlawn High, and is a member of DECA and SGA. Upon graduation, Liniah plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and eventually pursue her master’s degree in Secondary Education.

Yolani Dickens was the first senior recognized. She was awarded with a $4,000 scholarship from LSU. Yolani has a 3.0 cumulative GPA throughout her high school career. Her plans are to study biology and complete some study abroad programs as she works to become a Marine Biologist. She has narrowed down her school choices to the University of Alaska and Louisiana State University. While at Woodlawn, Yolani has participated in Talented Theater, Upward Bound, Panther Pride GSA, and she is on the Yearbook staff.

Jirah Jackson was the second senior recognized. Jirah was awarded with a one-time $250 book scholarship and a Chromebook. She currently has a 3.7 cumulative GPA. Jirah plans to purse nursing at Prairie View A&M University. Jirah is on the newspaper staff at Woodlawn High, and she also attends the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, which helps prepare high-achieving high school students to enter, excel in, and graduate from college.

Senior Troineicia Leake was also awarded with a $4,000 scholarship to LSU. She plans on attending LSU and majoring in Mass Communications while focusing on Journalism. Troineicia has a cumulative 3.1 GPA at Woodlawn High, and has been active in Beta, Bowling, and Cross Country during her time on campus.

Olivia Maday was the third Panther awarded with a $4,000 scholarship to LSU. Olivia plans on attending either LSU or Southeastern. She wants to major in biology and plans to attend medical school and become a radiologist. Olivia currently has a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the soccer team, cross-country team, and track and field team. Olivia is also a member of the STEAM Club and the vice president of NHS.

The final senior recognized was Raven Square. Raven was awarded with a $1,000 scholarship by Southern University. Raven plans to attend Dillard University and major in Chemistry. Raven would like to become a pharmacologist after finishing her education. While at Woodlawn, Raven has carried a 3.1 GPA and participated as a Cheerleader and a Senior Class Representative.

Jalyn Recasner was the first junior recognized at the ceremony. Jalyn was chosen as the recipient of a Chromebook.  Jalyn currently carries a 4.0 GPA. While Jalyn has not made a decision on her choice of college, she does plan on majoring in Psychology. Jalyn is a member of DECA, the powerlifting team, and the volleyball team.

Junior Breanna Russell was awarded a $250 book scholarship. Breanna plans to attend LSU and major in veterinary medicine. Breanna has a cumulative GPA of 3.4. She is a member of the Woodlawn powerlifting team, the softball team, and is also a member of NHS.

Our final junior recognized was Britney Umanzor. Britney was awarded with a Chromebook. Britney intends on pursuing a career as a dentist once she completes her education at LSU. She has a 3.2 cumulative GPA, and is a member of the Art Club and Beta Club.

The nine young women from Woodlawn High who were recognized represent the best that the East Baton Rouge Parish School System has to offer, and we are extremely proud to call them Panthers!

Godspell Jr. to Hit Woodlawn Stage

Godspell Jr. to Hit Woodlawn Stage

The Woodlawn High School Theatre Program will be presenting Godspell Jr. on Thursday, March 26th. Boasting a score with chart topping songs, Godspell Jr. is a sensation that will touch audiences.

A group of disciples help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques, and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, are employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’ messages of kindness, tolerance, and love come vibrantly to life.

A school performance will be presented during 2nd period and an after school performance for friends and family will be offered at 6 pm that evening. Tickets are $2 for the school performance and $5 for the evening performance.

WHS DECA Chapter Attends State Conference

WHS DECA Chapter Attends State Conference

The Woodlawn High School DECA Chapter attended the Louisiana DECA State Conference on March 1 – March 3. The conference was held at the Baton Rouge Marriott. Over 300 students from around the state of Louisiana attended the conference. Our chapter attended the conference along with their Adviser, Mr. Wilburn, and their Co-Adviser, Mrs. Wilburn.

The Woodlawn DECA Chapter had a wonderful showing at this year’s conference, with many members walking away with top-three finishes in their respective competitions. All members who placed in the top-three qualify to attend the International Career Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Bryan Bates and Terrell Landry placed first in the Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan Category for their business plan and product presentation for “Panther Dust.” Panther Dust is a seasoning spice mixture engineered for those with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Panther Dust allows individuals to season their food while remaining on a healthy diet.

Sierra Johnson and Liniah Slater placed first in the Start Up Business Plan Category. Their idea, Fleur De Lis Cajun Kitchen, plans to bring real, original, southern Cajun food to the north. Their plan is to place the original location in Maine, and build locations from there.

Taryn Lewis, Jalyn Recasner, and Madison Ruffin also placed second in their category, which was the Integrated Marketing Campaign. The three students came up with a campaign titled Basketball for MDA, which included a raffle at a New Orleans Pelican game to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Mya Alford and Romonique Moore finished second in the Community Awareness Project Category for their participation in the Adopt a Road Campaign. Their presentation included an explanation of what road our DECA Chapter adopted and how their work helped to improve the local community.

Romonique also placed third in the QuickServe Competition, which put her knowledge of restaurant management to the test. In this role playing competition, Romonique played the part of the VP of marketing for Rich Ice Cream Shop. She had to convince the CEO of the company to keep the 50th year anniversary celebration in the small town that the ice cream shop was located rather than move it to a larger nearby city.

In addition to her competitions, Romonique, who is the Chapter President at Woodlawn High, was elected as the Louisiana DECA State Vice President of Hospitality for the 2020-2021 school year.

Our DECA Chapter also received two prestigious recognitions. The first, the Outstanding Chapter award for the state of Louisiana, is awarded to those chapters who meet certain criteria. The criteria include local, state, and international DECA activities. Woodlawn’s DECA chapter completed twenty-two total activities, surpassing the fifteen activities needed to qualify for the recognition. Our chapter also received the Thrive Chapter Award from the National DECA organization, which means that our DECA chapter will be able to participate in the Thrive Academy at the ICDC in Nashville.

Finally, our DECA Adviser, Mr. Wilburn, was recognized with a Louisiana DECA Outstanding Advisor Award. Mr. Wilburn accumulate 460 points from a list of activities and events recognized by DECA, far surpassing the 340 point goal.

The ICDC will be held from April 29th through May 2nd in Nashville.

Panther Powerlifters Excel at Regional Meet

Panther Powerlifters Excel at Regional Meet

The Woodlawn Powerlifting team hosted the LHSAA/LHSPLA East Regional this past weekend at Woodlawn High. The Panthers had multiple lifters break school records and qualify for the Division I State Meet.

On Friday, February 28th, the Lady Panther powerlifters took to the platforms.

Hallie Rozarto placed 2nd in the 114 pound weight class while setting the school records in the squat and total weight for her weight class.

Breanna Russell participated in the 123 pound weight class. She finished third in her class while setting the school records for the bench press, deadlift, and total weight for her class.

Other Lady Panthers who participated and placed were Victoria Alder, who placed 4th in the 148 pound class, Destiny Leger, who placed 4th in the 132 pound class, and India Morgan, who placed 5th in the 123 pound class.

Hallie and Breanna each qualified for the State Meet, which will be held at ULM on Friday, March 20th.

The Panther powerlifters followed the Lady Panthers on Saturday, February 29th.

Jonero Scott led the way for the Panthers, placing 2nd in the 198 pound weight class.

Tim Bennett finished 3rd in the Super Heavyweight class. He set Woodlawn High records in the bench press for his weight class.

Quentin Ross and Mason Watson also competed and placed for the Panthers. Quentin placed 4th in the 275 pound weight class, and Mason placed 4th in the 181 pound weight class.

Jonero qualified for the State Meet and will represent Woodlawn High on Saturday, March 21st at ULM.

Coach Baronich and the Athletic Department at Woodlawn High would like to thank all of the sponsors of the 2020 East Regional: Platform Sponsors – ISC Constructors, LLC, K-Watt Electric, LLC, Peak Performance Physical Therapy, and Total Care Injury and Pain Center. Table Sponsors – Chick-fil-A, Jostens Class Rings, and Papa John’s Pizza. Meet Sponsors – Acadian Ambulance, Addis Athletics and Apparel, Coca-Cola Bottling of Baton Rouge, Fleur De Lis Donuts, Hi Nabor Supermarkets, Kleinpeter Dairy Farms, LLC, Mason’s Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Shoppers Value Foods, Winn Dixie Stores, and Zaxby’s.

Senior Mya Alford Receives Continued Recognition

Senior Mya Alford Receives Continued Recognition

Senior Mya Alford continues to accumulate awards, honors, and recognitions. The Lady Panther basketballer, who was also named Homecoming Queen during the fall semester, has recently been on quite the hot streak.

Mya competed against students from Baton Rouge Magnet High School and Scotlandville Magnet High School to win the Junior Achievement Trust Your Crazy Idea Contest. Mya presented her idea, a microwave Klean Kit, in front of a panel of judges at BRCC. Mya’ idea, which includes a cleaning solution, splatter dome, and bonnet covers, was picked as the best idea in Baton Rouge. Mya was awarded with a $5,000 scholarship and the chance to compete at the state level in Lafayette. The winner of the state contest will be awarded with an additional $10,000 scholarship.

More recently, Mya earned the DECA Emerging Leader Honor Award. This National DECA Honor recognizes DECA members studying marketing, finance, hospitality and management while also being an academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leader through their participation in DECA.

Mya, who currently ranks in the top 10% of Woodlawn High School’s Class of 2020, plans to attend LSU in the fall. She plans on majoring in Mass Communication. Mya is active in the school’s DECA chapter, participating in recent Adopt a Road programs while serving as the Vice President of Communications for the chapter.