Mar 8, 2017
Woodlawn High School is proud to announce that they are partnering with Neighbors Federal Credit Union to offer a Woodlawn High School Mascot Card.
Neighbors continues the tradition of supporting local schools through the Mascot Card, a customized debit card program. The Mascot Card serves as a perpetual fundraiser for schools enrolled in the program. Members enjoy all the benefits of a traditional checking account with the added benefit of earning money for their school with each swipe of their Mascot Card. With every debit card purchase you make, Neighbors will make a monetary donation to Woodlawn High School.
It’s easy to begin supporting Woodlawn High School by using the Mascot Card. Current Neighbors members can visit your nearest local branch and switch your debit card to a Woodlawn High Mascot Card, or new members need to simply visit a local branch and open an account. Additional features on this account include no monthly service charges or per check fees for cardholders under 25 years of age, free online banking and bill-pay, free Audio Response service, and automatic overdraft protection is available after the cardholder is 18 years old.
Minors are also invited to open an account. In order to do this, a minor needs two forms of identification: one primary form, such as a state issued ID or driver’s license, and one secondary form, such as a school ID, social security card, or insurance card. The parent has to be joint owner on the account, so they should be with the student when opening the account. If the parents are not a member, they will need a state issued ID or driver’s license as well as a secondary form of identification.
Neighbors offers a full range of products, services and benefits to meet every banking need. Neighbors is 100% local and dedicated to personal service while still offering the best in contemporary, leading-edge technology.
For more information, please contact our office at (225) 819-2178 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to speak with a Call Center Representative. Those interested may also apply by clicking here.
Mar 6, 2017
Yusra Chabayta, ’18
On February 24, 2017, Woodlawn High School presented Blurred Lines, a Black History Program for Black History Month. Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in United States history.
Diamond-Alexis Craig and Troy Pierre II opened the program as the “Master and Mistress of Ceremony.” The first performance was called “The Cypher’s Corner” performed by Jeroderick Allen, Cody Coleman, Trevon Hardnet, Treyln Miller, Alton Morgan, and Keon Simmons. It was amazing!
Woodlawn’s Finest Ladies, the “Alluring Queens Step Team,” performed next, followed by Woodlawn’s Finest Males, the “Suave Kings Step Team.” Miss Woodlawn, Nakavia Chapman, Jeroderick Allen, and Mr. Woodlawn, Devin Whiting, performed “The Night Before the Storm” next.
The other performances included the Decades Fashion Show, from Civil Rights Period to the New Millennium, performed by the Culture Club, The Komplexion by Kerrington Hill and CyTierrione Williams, Fences Monologue by Destiny Hall, an Original Poem by Derwinisha Alford, Black Royalty by Da’Shona Woods, and a Theatrical Poem called “Black Child/ I am A Women” by Paris Hishaw and Nitiqua Johnson.
I thought this program was amazing and beautiful; Woodlawn High School has some very talented students. I would like to thank Coach Kenner and Ms. Hawkins for sponsoring this amazing program, and also thank our principal, Mr. Stevens, for letting us do something like this for the first time ever.
Mar 6, 2017
Ashley Martin, ’17
EBR recently hosted their first annual “Float Your Boat” challenge. The premise of the challenge was to create a boat strictly out of cardboard and packing tape to float two people for one minute. Spending around a week designing and building, Woodlawn created about six boats for the challenge.
Upon arrival to the LSU campus’ dock, Woodlawn immediately began unloading their boats and checking for any damage that may have occurred during the ride. Each team met with the judges of the event and proceeded to place their boat in the water.
Most boats were able to hold two people for one minute, leading to the second part of the challenge. Now each boat was to hold three people for one minute and add another person to be held for an extra minute until the boat sank. Woodlawn was the school that created the boat that held the most people for the longest- ten people for an extra 10.79 seconds. At the end of the event, Woodlawn was designated the Performance Award for the boat holding that magnitude for such a length of time.
Mar 6, 2017
The house was packed as families, friends and district representatives attended the arts showcase hosted by Woodlawn High School’s Fine Arts Department on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in the WHS Auditorium. The showcase, entitled “All the World’s a Stage” after Shakespeare’s play by the same name, featured visual art displays, musical numbers, theatrical scenes and performance art pieces.
While browsing a visual arts exhibit before the show, guests were invited to enjoy jambalaya prepared by parent, Samantha Jett. The visual arts exhibit featured displays from students enrolled in Art I, Art III, AP Studio Art: 2D Design, and Talented Visual Art courses. Favorite pieces were a 3D portrait created by Art III student Abdulkhaleq Hussain and Cubism-inspired self-portrait by Talented Art student, Elijah Sykes.
The talent exhibited in the visual arts displays was echoed by an orchestra trio featuring Advanced Orchestra student, Christopher Breaud; Talented Music student, Joshua “Drew” Garon Jr.; and orchestra teacher, Ms. Falco. Drew Garon performed a solo composed by Vivaldi on the violin later in the showcase.
Talented theatre student Trinh Nguyen introduces Lost N’ Sound at All the World’s a Stage.
After a brief welcome and introduction by Talented theatre student, Trinh Nguyen, Lost N’ Sound, the WHS Pop A Cappello Choir took the floor, performing popular pieces such as Stitches by Shaun Mendez and Somebody I Used to Know by Goyte. With standout vocalists Jaylyn James and Shaun McCray singing, it was not long before the cameras were flashing and the crowd was singing along.
The Suave King Panthers, led by Jeroderick Allen Jr. and the Alluring Queens, under the direction of Nakavia Chapman, were next up on stage. The WHS Step Team really “stepped it up” for this performance with both whole group and separate team routines that captivated the audience with their in-sync movements and hand-foot coordination.
The WHS Jazz Ensemble, The Smooth Purple Groove, played equally engaging rhythms with songs such as I Feel Good by James Brown and Night and Day, arranged by EBR Talented Music teacher, Mike Esneault. Performers such as Kyle Monic, Mason Stubbs, and Brennan Burleigh took turns showing off their talent as they played jazz solos throughout the pieces. Evan Earl, Joshua Hayden, Christopher Jones, Javin Leggett, Blaine van Stock, and Invie Williams played multiple selections that showcased their talent as part of the Talented Music Ensemble, under the direction of EBR Talented Music teacher, BJ McGibney.
The showcase would not be complete without the dramatic performances of our theatre students and drama club. Members of the Theatre IV class and drama club performed in multiple scenes from classic television shows including Pet Shop, a Monty Python sketch performed by McKenzie Martin and Kennedy Sorrell and Who’s on First by Abbott and Costello, performed by Dominic Messina and Mitchell Maclean. The drama club did not forget the literary classics when Madisyn McAlister portrayed a lead role in a scene from Lord Byron’s Love Letter by Tennessee Williams.
Students who participated in All the World’s a Stage receive cheers from the crowd and pose for pictures after the performance.
In the last performance of the night, The Bully Pulpit by Dwayne Hartford, the Talented Theatre students used their skills to highlight a common concern among school age students, bullying. With comedic relief throughout the performance, they were able to portray what bullying is and how it affects those involved. The showcase concluded with a curtain call featuring the entire company with a special recognition to the key players behind the scenes, Javier Allen, John Grayson Barrett, Laila Fisher, Keveyon Franklin, Matthew Jobborn, and Caleb Massarek.
The company would like you remember that “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” and without the support of some key players, this would not be possible. The company would like to thank Mr. Sorenson for directing the arts showcase, Ms. Samantha Jett for preparing the jambalaya, Ms. Washington for capturing the performances on camera, all program sponsors for their guidance, and family and friends that attended for their support. Also, they would like to extend a special thanks to the district representatives that attended, including School Board Representative, Jill Dyason; Executive Director of High Schools, Benjamin Necaise; Director of Fine Arts, Wayne Talbot; and Supervisor of Gifted and Talented Programs, Babs Stapleton.
Feb 20, 2017
Steven Oubre, Woodlawn High’s ProStart teacher, was named the 2017 Louisiana Educator of Excellence by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation earlier this month. Oubre was chosen by the board of directors of the LRAEF based on his community outreach programs for his students along with the numerous students who leave his program with additional industry certifications.
Oubre, a native of Patterson, Louisiana, is in his seventh year at Woodlawn High. After graduating from Patterson High School, he attended Nicholls State University. Oubre received his degree in Culinary Arts & Sciences. He began working as a Sous Chef at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans before branching out on his own, starting a private chef company. From there, Oubre moved on to Woodlawn High School.
Students competing at the ProStart Invitational in March of 2016.
Oubre took over the ProStart program during his first year at Woodlawn. The program consisted of three students. Since that time, Oubre has grown the program to over 120 students. Each year, Oubre has brought students from Woodlawn to the LRAEF Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational in New Orleans at the Convention Center in which he once worked. The Invitational, which is held in March of each year, awards scholarship money to the top three teams in both the Culinary and Management categories. Students compete for scholarships up to $40,000 each. Twice Oubre’s teams have placed fourth in the Culinary category, just missing out on top three finishes.
Along with the March competition, Oubre brings ProStart students to the State Capital each year to cook for the House and Senate. His students are also looked to by athletic programs on campus, catering pregame meals for the football, boys and girls basketball, and softball teams. Oubre’s students have catered Honors Breakfasts, Senior Breakfasts, JROTC Military Balls, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board events, numerous parent nights, and even catered a wedding for a former teacher.
“Receiving this award was extremely special to me. It is nice to be appreciated and recognized for the hard work that you do. It was a great honor to be recognized, even considered, for this award. There are over seventy ProStart teachers in the state, many of them great teachers, so it meant a lot to be chosen for the award,” said Oubre.
In May, Oubre will travel to Chicago to the National Food and Restaurant Association Show. Oubre will compete against teachers from around the nation to be named the National Educator of Excellence. He will also be given the opportunity to discuss ProStart curriculum, strategies to improve the program, and upcoming changes in the program.
ProStart is the premier culinary arts program for high school students. ProStart gives students the opportunity to learn about the art of cooking and managing restaurants by training with professional chefs and receiving valuable classroom instruction. ProStart students are also given the opportunity to earn college credit and make money while still in high school.
The LRAEF is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1995 and is governed by a board of directors made up of restaurants, industry experts and educators in the hospitality industry. It exists to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities. Visit the LRAEF website at www.lraef.org.
