News Archive - Page 49 of 63 - Woodlawn High School

Homecoming Festivities Not Dampened by Loss

Oct 12, 2016

Xavier Lodge stiff arms a Belaire defender at home on October 6, 2016.

The Woodlawn High Panthers were unable to cap the week’s Homecoming festivities with a victory over Belaire Friday night. The Panthers fell by the score of 22-7 after allowing 22 first half points. The Bengals moved to 5-1 on the season while the Panthers fell to 1-5. Woodlawn turned the ball over six times in the game.

The Panthers were able to force three turnovers. Senior cornerback Trey Hardnett intercepted his team leading fourth pass in six games. Sophomore wide receiver Bryant Jacob, who was forced into action at safety after juniors Jonathon Scott and Xavier Lodge each left the game for stretches with cramps, was able to notch his first interception of the year.

Senior running back Javin Myers, playing through a toe injury, was able to rush for 142 yards on 11 carries in three quarters of action.

2015 Homecoming Queen Jodi Edo poses with 2016 Queen Nakavia Chapman at halftime of the game versus Belaire on October 6, 2016.

The halftime presentation of the Homecoming court left little to be desired. The Homecoming crowd was treated to the announcement that senior maid Nakavia Chapman was named the 2016 Homecoming Queen. Nakavia, who is on the yearbook staff and a member of the Beta Club and the Lambda Tau youth sorority is the daughter of Deshone and Gregory Smith. After graduating, Nakavia plans on attending ULM to get a degree in the medical field.

The Homecoming loss was the second loss in as many weeks for the Panthers, who struggled in their game against the West St. John Rams on September 30.

“The biggest thing that I struggle with is that I’ve got a bunch of great guys that I believe really care about this,” said Head Coach Daniel Luquet. “I just have to figure out how to translate what we do Monday through Wednesday at practice onto the football field on Friday nights.”

The Panthers started the game strong as Scott came away with an interception. The Panthers could not hold the Rams from gaining a 7-0 lead.

The Panthers were able to tie the game at seven in the second quarter. Junior running back Josh London set up his 2-yard scoring run with a 60 yard carry one play previous. The Panthers gave the lead up on the next drive, and throughout the remainder of the game Woodlawn attempted to gain their footing but couldn’t catch up to the Rams.

The Panthers will once again be at home Friday night as they host Tara at 7 pm.

Lillian Khemmanyvong contributed to this article.

Cooler Weather Brings New Feats for Cross Country

Oct 10, 2016

Ashley Martin ’17

Marking this weekend as cross country’s mid-season race, Woodlawn is pushing past their bounds for astounding times. Starting the morning strong, the girls set the bar high with four new personal records. Coming in first and second for Woodlawn with a close finish were Alexis Martin (22:37) and Melissa Grant (22:38; PR). Following were Aimee Martin (26:48; PR) and Kelli Oubre (27:15; PR), both of which are also competing in their first year of cross country. Finishing off the team’s female varsity race were Alexis Aucoin (30:41; PR) and Shelby Sanchez (31:16). These girls both exhibited the true meaning of teamwork with Shelby encouraging Alexis to meet a new personal record.

Woodlawn’s boys have also been working towards noteworthy finishes with two new personal records. Khidir Al-Mustafa (17:31), finished first for our team, steadily reaching for a new male personal record for the school, impressively motivating his peers to accomplish their goals. Soon after Khidir came Brandon Williams (18:52), portraying a fluidity that is seemingly natural which has furthered his abilities of strength and endurance. Finishing next were Marshall Bayles (19:15; PR) and Sauloman John (19:50) who are seen to be pushing each other in practices every day.

Rounding out the boys’ varsity race for Woodlawn were Joshua Stephens (20:22; PR) and Logan Fontenot (23:56). Joshua sprinted to the finish line with a smile on his face, as always, showing his inspiring motivation to continue to set new personal records.

Logan, bringing his heart into the race against all odds, finished with only 35 seconds separating him from a new personal record. Running for his late cousin Conner this season, Logan has dedicated himself and his season with cross country to Conner’s remembrance. Touching the hearts of all that watched this weekend, Logan has exhibited a strength that is admired and strived for by his teammates. From all of the cross country team and those that have continued to support Woodlawn as a whole, Logan has a strong family of people that will always have his back.

Bringing new talent onto the team this weekend was Itzel Vasquez (19:47; PR), Rayan Kaadan (22:19), and Carolyn Sprague (23:06; PR), competing in a two-mile open race. With continued hard work, these three girls show promising seasons. Running in the three-mile open race was Lillian Khemmanyvong (36:56), fighting the exhaustion of Woodlawn High School’s 2016/2017 Homecoming.

Next weekend, Woodlawn will be attending a meet in Walker, offering a much needed change in scenery.

Homecoming Court Spotlight: Meet the Freshman

Oct 6, 2016

This is part four of a four part series highlighting the students named to represent Woodlawn High on the 2016 Homecoming Court. Students were spotlighted every day this week.

Chyreon Folse

Chyreon was born on June 27, 2002 in Houma. Chyreon comes to Woodlawn High from nearby Woodlawn Middle School. While at Woodlawn Middle, Chyreon was a member of the Beta Club and also ran track. She says that she is most looking forward to the pep rally this year before the Homecoming game versus Belaire. So far, her favorite classes are Homeroom with Mr. Roberts and Sports Medicine with Coach Gonzales. Chyreon says that the major differences between middle school and high school is the amount of time between classes and lunch. She enjoys getting to buy pizza and go outside to eat and see friends instead of eating with your class at a certain table in the cafeteria. Chyreon’s has a message to pass on to her friends at Woodlawn Middle about entering high school: “It’s very fun. The teachers are entertaining. But you have to come ready to work and know when to work and when to play.”

Homecoming Court Spotlight: Meet the Sophomores

Oct 5, 2016

This is part three of a four part series highlighting the students named to represent Woodlawn High on the 2016 Homecoming Court. Tomorrow will be part four of the series, in which the freshman maid will be spotlighted.

Montrell Frank

Montrell was born in New Orleans on October 23, 2000. This is her second year at Woodlawn High and she currently has a 3.3 GPA. She stays active at school, participating in Beta and Sports Medicine, while also participating in track and field. Montrell says that she is looking forward to the rest of football sason, basketball season, and track and field. She loves her classes this year, but especially likes Algebra II, Chemistry, Geometry, and Theater. Montrell says that she enjoys the new block schedule that Woodlawn has implemented this year.

Praise McClain

Praise was born on October 28, 2000, in New Orleans. Praise has been at Woodlawn both years of high school. She participates in sports medicine and in track and field. She is looking forward to the remainder of football season, basketball season, and track. So far this year, she has enjoyed Mr. Mosby’s Civics class the most. Unlike Montrell, Praise says that she enjoyed last year’s seven-period day more than the new block schedule because class was not as long and it was easier for her to keep up with her classwork. In her spare time, Praise says that she enjoys sitting outside writing poetry.

Woodlawn Teams with Jay Ducote for Homecoming

Oct 4, 2016

Jay Ducote serves food to Woodlawn supporters at Football Golf Tournament on April 18, 2016.

Woodlawn High is excited to announce that local celebrity Jay Ducote will be serving plates of red beans and rice to teachers and alumni at Thursday’s Homecoming game. Jay plans to arrive on campus at 3 pm and set up to cook behind the 1200 building. Anyone who would like to tailgate before the game is welcome to set up on the freshman football field behind the 1200 building after 3 pm. All teachers and alumni are invited to stop by the tent and eat before the game. Alumni are asked to sign in under the purple Woodlawn Football tent. There, they will receive a ticket to the game and a ticket for food. All alumni will receive one ticket for food and one ticket to be admitted to the game at no charge.

Jay, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, spends most of his time as a food and beverage writer, blogger, radio host, speaker, video producer, culinary personality, chef and hugger. He travels as much as he can. He finished runner-up on Season 11 of the hit reality competition show Food Network Star, and has had a pilot for his show “Deep Fried America” air on the Travel Channel. Jay has been named one of the top 100 amateur chefs in America by FOX’s MasterChef, has appeared as himself on HBO’s drama series Treme, and has been featured on multiple programs such as Cutthroat Kitchen, The Kitchen and Burgers, Brew & Que on Food Network, Eat St. on Cooking Channel, and Last Call Food Brawl on Destination America. The Bite and Booze Radio Show, produced and hosted by Jay, won a 2014 Taste Award for best food or drink radio broadcast in the country and the Uniquely Louisiana Award from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters in 2015. In 2014 Jay launched his own Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce, followed by the 2015 release of his wine, Jay D’s Blanc du Bois, a collaboration with West Monroe’s Landry Vineyards. Late 2015 saw the release of Jay D’s Louisiana Molasses Mustard, and in 2016 Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet Barbecue Rub was made available in stores. Jay’s goal is to create content and celebrate Louisiana’s culinary culture as he continues to cook, write, speak, entertain and hug for a living.