Feb 22, 2021
When first year Head Baseball Coach Jonathan Kohn accepted the position at Woodlawn High, he knew that there was a rich baseball history at the school.
“This program has a long history of successful baseball, and I hope to continue that winning tradition throughout the years to come,” said Kohn.
The Panthers were off to a promising start in 2020, starting the season with a 4-2 record before being shut down. Coach Kohn is looking for a core group of returning players to continue that start into the 2021 season.
Seniors Jude Serio and Terrell Landry are both returning starters that Coach Kohn will lean on for early leadership. Serio will play shortstop and will be a steady arm on the mound. Landry looks to continue to be solid as he returns to his role as first baseman. Junior catcher Khalil Lee, junior outfielder Braeden Hodges, and junior infielder Mekhi Thomas are also all returning to help the Panthers.
The Panthers look to be led by three main arms on the mound this year. Sophomores Rickie Collins and Kenny James will be joined by senior transfer Troy Washington, who will add a left-handed arm to the rotation.
Along with Washington, Kohn expects newcomers Derek Johnson, Hannan McCant, Jaden Sylvester, and Willie Nunnery to all fight for starting positions and add depth to the Panthers lineup this season.
Coach Kohn is excited about the beginning of the season and the challenges that his team will face.
“I am looking forward to competing in every game on the schedule. Every game is going to be a challenge for us. I believe we have a great group of young men that are willing to take on those challenges. That first game against St. John of Plaquemine will tell us a lot about ourselves and where we are at as a team.”
With these challenges, Kohn says that he as realistic expectations.
“My expectations are that all members of the Woodlawn Baseball program, players and coaches included, give their best effort day-in and day-out. We have a group of young men that have showed their commitment throughout the fall and winter to the Woodlawn Baseball program. Our players have to continue to be committed to getting better every day, as individuals and as a team. One of main goals for every season is to play our best baseball at the end of the season. I hope to compete for a district championship against our extremely competitive 5A district opponents.”
Because of the long baseball history at Woodlawn High, Coach Kohn is extremely excited about welcoming alumni back into the program. His first step is to host a Woodlawn Baseball Alumni Day, on February 27th.
“I am extremely excited about our Alumni Day. I am looking forward to seeing all the past members of the Woodlawn Baseball family come out to support us against Family Christian. We are looking forward to a great season, and go Panthers!”
For any questions about the baseball program, please reach out to Coach Kohn via email at [email protected].
Feb 10, 2021
Like many people, sophomore Lauren Earl has always wanted to be a business owner. Unlike many, Lauren did not only dream about starting her own business, she did it.
“For my 14th birthday, I ordered a birthday pin for myself,” Lauren explained. “As my birthday got closer, I found out that the pin was not going to be made. I asked my mom if we could go to Hobby Lobby, and I made my own pin.”
The pin created buzz on social media, and soon Lauren was getting messages from friends and family asking if she could make their birthday pins. This led to the creation of her business.
In February of 2019, as an 8th grade student, Lauren created Luxe’ Creations by Lauren. Lauren is self-taught, relying on books and YouTube videos for inspiration. The business specialized in pins for birthdays and special events.
In March of 2020, just as business was beginning to increase, Covid-19 shut the state of Louisiana down. Unlike the state, Lauren’s spirit was not shut down.
“When the state went into lockdown, we could not get my supplies for pins as frequently as we could before,” said Lauren. “People weren’t asking for the pins as much, either. Nobody needed a birthday pin when they could not go out for their birthday.”
“I was watching TikTok one day, and saw a video of a girl making chocolate covered treats. I knew that I could do the same things she was doing.”
Luxe’ Creations by Lauren has turned into a business that provides a variety of treats, including chocolate-covered strawberries, pretzels, Rice Crispy treats, Oreos, cake pops, cakesicles, and hot chocolate bombs. Orders are prepared as they are made, allowing Lauren to customize her products to meet her customers’ needs. Lauren has built a loyal customer base, and her business continues to grow from social media exposure and word of mouth.
She has also been able to continue growing because of the support she receives from her parents, Lawrence and Mekisha.
“My mom and dad have always been supportive of everything I do, from dance and volleyball when I was young, to Luxe Creations now. Their support and guidance mean everything to me.”
When Lauren is not busy growing Luxe’ Creations, she stays busy at Woodlawn High. She is a Great Scholars student who carries a 4.31 GPA while taking advanced level and AP courses. Lauren is also a member of Woodlawn’s Talented Theater program and an active member of the DECA Chapter. She is also a member of the Lady Panther Volleyball team and participated in Powerlifting as a freshman.
Lauren wants to encourage others who are dreaming of starting their own business to “just start it. If you really put your mind to something and set your goals, you can achieve anything.”
Anyone interested in placing orders with Lauren can contact her through her Instagram account, @luxecreationsby_lauren, or through her Facebook account, Luxe Creations by Lauren.
Feb 9, 2021
The Debose Fine Arts Festival is an exhibition and performance event which includes fine art and music competition once a year in the Baton Rouge area. This year the festival/competition was carried out virtually. Art and music teachers in the EBR area were allowed to submit five artworks for the competition. The student winners were awarded in different categories. There were three Traditional categories (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) and three Talented categories (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced).
Nine Woodlawn High students placed in this year’s festival. Five of those students placed in Traditional categories, and three placed in Talented categories.
- Rachel Ezell, First Place, Talented Advanced
- Isaiah John, First Place, Traditional Advanced
- Christopher Delcid, Second Place, Traditional Intermediate
- Joann Mayeux, Second Place, Talented Advanced
- Kerrin Whitly, Second Place, Traditional Advanced
- Hannan McCant, Third Place, Traditional Intermediate
- Cameron Rice, Third Place, Talented Beginner
- Angel Caine, Honorable Mention, Traditional Advanced
- Naya Smith, Honorable Mention, Talented Advanced
Congratulations to these Panthers for their spectacular achievements at this year’s festival.
Feb 9, 2021
Despite a shortened season, the Lady Panther basketball team improved their season win total from 5 wins during the 2019-2020 season to 12 wins this season. The Lady Panthers finished the season with a 12-7 record, just falling short of the LHSAA Class 5A Playoffs.
The Lady Panthers were led by five underclassmen this season. Brianna Johnson, who is the Lady Panthers only senior, will be missed; however, the Lady Panthers will continue to build with the returning underclassmen.
“I am very excited about the future of this program,” explained Coach Kohn. “We are only losing Brianna Johnson. I am hoping we can build on the success we enjoyed this season and have an even better season next year.”
Sophomore forward Regan McDowell averaged a double-double for the Lady Panthers this season, averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds a game. Junior Quaindra Bell and sophomore Celine Thomas, along with the freshman duo of Ra’Nya Smith and Tralyn Riley, all helped to lead a balanced offensive attack for the Lady Panthers.
“We have five underclassmen who led us this year,” added Kohn. “We finished the season with eleven girls in the program, and we hope to continue to build with those girls.”
Included in the Lady Panthers 12 wins were two overtime wins. The Lady Panthers defeated Family Christian and Catholic-Point Coupee in games that showed Coach Kohn and the Lady Panthers that they were learning to win.
