Apr 18, 2024
Woodlawn High School’s Talented Theatre students have once again left their mark on the cinematic landscape with their latest creation, The Never Ending Duel. This captivating short film, written and directed by Woodlawn High School Senior Ava Jones, has garnered accolades at the esteemed Film Prize Jr. Film Festival and Competition in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Ava Jones, a senior in Woodlawn High School’s Gifted and Talented Theatre program, showcased her exceptional creativity and directorial expertise in bringing The Never Ending Duel to life. With her vision and dedication, Ava crafted every aspect of the film, from its inception to the final storyboard. Her previous involvement as the lead character in Woodlawn High School’s 2023 Audience Choice Award-winning film, Reap What You Sow, underscores her remarkable talent and commitment to the craft.
Beyond her achievements in filmmaking, Ava’s academic excellence and passion for creative writing have earned her acceptance into 15 colleges nationwide. With plans to pursue a degree in Creative Writing, Ava has already been awarded over $1.16 million in four-year merit scholarships, a testament to her outstanding achievements and bright future ahead.
Ava Jones proudly shows off her award at the film festival.
“The students worked incredibly hard on their film; everything that you see on screen was completed by a student. Creating a film of any length is a difficult process, just completing a film is a major accomplishment. Seeing the culmination of all of their work, the final realized piece, was incredible,” stated Ms. Mullins, Woodlawn’s Talented Theatre teacher. “Being able to sit in the audience and watch film after incredible film and knowing that they were all created by the students sitting around me from all over the state was an amazing experience and one that I hope we can bring to more students next year!”
The success of The Never Ending Duel wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the Louisiana Shakespeare Company, particularly the invaluable contributions of Liz Odom, the head of fight choreography. Their expertise elevated the film’s fight sequences, adding depth and authenticity to the storytelling.
As the virtual Film Prize Jr. Festival unfolds, viewers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse array of student-created films, including The Never Ending Duel. Woodlawn High School encourages the community to watch the films and cast their votes for their favorites, supporting their quest for the Audience Choice Award.
Join the excitement of the virtual film festival by visiting https://filmprizejr.com/festival/ and exploring the 96 submissions before Monday, April 22nd, 2024. Let’s rally behind Woodlawn High School and celebrate the talent and creativity of Ava Jones and her fellow students.
Apr 11, 2024
Jiri Falowo and Devin Bailey get ready for their presentation.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s ELA Curriculum Team, in collaboration with the Division of Schools, recently hosted the 3rd annual EBRPSS High School District-wide Poetry Competition. Among the participants were three exceptionally talented student poets, writers, and performers from Woodlawn High School: Devin Bailey, Jiri Falowo, and Sydni Smith. This competition, which welcomed entries from all EBRPSS high school students, served as a culmination of the individual school-wide Poetry Slam competitions held across local schools.
Woodlawn High School hosted its Poetry Preview on March 6th, showcasing the remarkable talents of its students. Despite having only three contestants, the quality of their performances stood out, earning them spots in the District Poetry Slam held on March 28th. These three winners from Woodlawn’s Poetry Slam advanced to compete in the district-wide event, representing their school with pride and passion.
“Although Woodlawn students did not bring home the win, I am beyond elated to see these students represent our school in such a professional manner,” said Ms. Durbin, Woodlawn High School’s Literacy Coach.
Devin Bailey and Sydni Smith are all smiles at the district poetry competition.
While Woodlawn High School students may not have secured the top prize in the district-wide competition, the participation of Devin Bailey, Jiri Falowo, and Sydni Smith exemplified the school’s commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression among its students. Beyond the accolades, the experience of sharing their poetry on such a platform undoubtedly left a lasting impression on these young talents. The event not only showcased their skills but also provided an enriching opportunity for personal growth and self-expression. Woodlawn High School celebrates its students’ achievements and looks forward to continuing to support their artistic endeavors in the future.
Mar 22, 2024
Congratulations to Jillian Stewart for excelling in French II and Kimbreaux Pattan for his outstanding performance in Family and Consumer Sciences at the District Academic Rally in February! They both placed in the top 3 in their subjects at the district level. Their achievements have earned them the opportunity to represent Woodlawn High at the State Academic Rally on Saturday, March 23rd at Louisiana State University. Mr. Lee and Ms. Lee will be accompanying these two students to the rally tomorrow. We are incredibly proud of these students’ hard work and dedication.
“I’m really excited! I’m also a little nervous, to be honest, but I know we are as prepared as we can be for the rally tomorrow,” said Stewart.
A big shoutout goes to Mr. Hymel and Ms. Thomas for their invaluable support and guidance in preparing these students for success in their respective courses. Your dedication to your students’ learning is truly commendable.
To all the teachers and mentors who have contributed to the preparation of these students for the rally, your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for your commitment to nurturing students’ talents and helping them reach their full potential.
As Jillian and Kimbreaux gear up to compete against top candidates from across the state, we wish them the best of luck! Your determination and passion will surely shine as you represent WHS with excellence.
Mar 20, 2024
Last month, the Junior Achievement’s “Mentoring Men” Program offered high school students a valuable half-day experience focused on three essential pillars: Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Work Readiness. A hand-selected number of our own Panthers had the chance to attend this wonderful event and represent Woodlawn High School.
WHS students learn how to tie a tie at Junior Achievement Day.
WHS’s German exchange student, junior Samuel Schecke, attended the Junior Achievement Day.
“It was a great day. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a really good experience,” said Schecke. “I learned how to tie a tie, and we did real-life activities such as financial planning and how to prepare for a job interview.”
Through this program, students had the unique chance to interact with professional mentors, gaining insights and guidance for their future careers. Participants not only received personalized attention from mentors but also gained industry exposure and networking opportunities. This initiative provided a platform for students to explore career pathways and develop essential skills for their professional journey.
