On a recent evening, friends and family of the Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies took over Storyland at City Park enjoying rides, games, refreshments, and fun.

The event, a fundraiser for the theater department, began three years ago and has grown to its current attendance of over 900 with proceeds going to support the next Haynes event – Fall Festival.
“Fall Festival is a great event; it takes a lot of planning and design by the students, but it gets them so excited about theater, arts, and music,” said Rene Piazza, talented theater teacher.

Haynes principal Karla Russo was glad to see the large number of people that came out to support the school.

“I really have to give it to Mr. Piazza,” she said. “He is so good at coming up with fundraising ideas that include the entire family.”

Following the fall festival, the Haynes theater department will stage a production of an original comedy by Piazza entitled “Romeo and Juliet – A West Side Story” that will be held at the East Jefferson High School Auditorium in late November.

Fall Fest at Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies was a real circus this year, according to theater teacher Rene Piazza.

“We decided to go with a circus theme this year,” said Piazza. “We have stilt walkers, clowns, games, rides, and great refreshments.”

The entire school family came together to put on the event, including students from the art department who painted murals and designed booths.

“We really appreciate all the parent volunteers from all of the different school activities,” he said. “We are putting on a show and we are just going to keep getting bigger and bigger!”

The Spanish 3 class at Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies recently visited Audubon Elementary School to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The class is taught by Holly Charpentier. Watch the entire performance above.

2015 Posse Scholars, top row from left: Saul Amezcua, Jazlyn Johnson, Gabrielle DeRoche, Edward Scott; bottom row from left: Younes Boulares, Keristen Edwards, Sydney Monix, Bilal Sarmini

Eight students from the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) have been awarded four-year, full tuition scholarships from The Posse Foundation, including students from Helen Cox High School, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, L.W. Higgins High School, Riverdale High School, and Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy.

“We are so excited that these eight students have been recognized for their hard work and their accomplishments,” said Superintendent James Meza, Jr. “It’s a huge honor to be selected as a Posse Scholar, and I congratulate not only the selected students, but also their families, teachers and counselors, and school staff for supporting and nurturing these students’ drive for excellence.”

The Posse Foundation gives extraordinary high school students who may be overlooked by the traditional college selection processes the resources and the support needed to complete a four-year degree at partner universities. Posse Scholars are nominated by their high schools in their senior year for their leadership in the school and the community, their academic commitment, and their overall motivation to succeed. The nominees undergo a rigorous selections process conducted by both Posse staff and their partner universities before being selected for the merit-based scholarship.

The newest Posse Scholars from JPPSS selected to attend Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson in New York are:

• Saul Amezcua, Helen Cox High School
• Jazlyn Johnson, Thomas Jefferson High School

The Scholars attending Tulane University in New Orleans are:

• Younes Boulares, Haynes Academy
• Keristen Edwards, Riverdale High School
• Sydney Monix, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
• Bilal Sarmini, Thomas Jefferson High School

Gabrielle DeRoche from L.W. Higgins High School and Edward Scott from Helen Cox High School are part of the inaugural Posse cohort from the New Orleans area that is headed to Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.

For more information on The Posse Foundation, visit http://www.possefoundation.org/.

The students of the Jefferson Parish Public School System will do more than simply celebrate along the parade routes during Carnival season. Many of our school’s performance groups will take center stage participating in parades all over our area. This schedule highlights where our student groups will be during the 2015 Mardi Gras parades.

Don’t see your school on the list? Please send parade name, date and time, as well as the school groups marching to Ted Beasley at theodore.beasley@jppss.k12.la.us.

Saturday, January 31

Krewe of Driftwood – 1 p.m. in Kenner

• Bridgedale Elementary “Spirit Squad” and “Beaglettes”
• Riviere Elementary dance team
• Schneckenburger Elementary “Schneckettes” dance team

Sunday, February 1

Krewe of Little Rascals – 12 p.m. in Metairie

• Ella Dolhonde Elementary cheerleaders
• Estelle Elementary cheerleaders, dance team and boys step team
• J.D. Meisler Middle band, dance team and cheerleaders
• Riviere Elementary dance team
• Rudolph Matas Elementary dance team

Krewe of Perseus – 1 p.m. in Slidell

• Gretna Middle dance team, cheerleaders, flag team and majorettes

Friday, February 6

Krewe of Oshun – 6 p.m. in Uptown

• Henry Ford Middle band

Krewe of Cleopatra – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• John Ehret High band, dance team and majorettes
• L.W. Higgins High band
• Thomas Jefferson High band, cheerleaders, dance team and flag team

Krewe of Excalibur – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Bonnabel Magnet Academy band, cheerleaders, dance team, flag team, step team, twirlers and ROTC
• Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy band and cheerleaders
• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Athena – 7:30 p.m. in Metairie

• Gretna Middle dance team, cheerleaders, flag team and majorettes
• West Jefferson High band, cheerleaders. dance team, majorettes and flag team

Saturday, February 7

Mystic Knights of Adonis – 11:45 a.m. in the Westbank

• Helen Cox High band
• Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts band

Krewe of Choctaw – 1:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Marrero Middle Mustang Band and Cheerleaders

Krewe of Caesar – 6 p.m. in Metairie

• Bonnabel Magnet Academy band, cheerleaders, dance team, flag team, step team, twirlers and ROTC
• East Jefferson High band, flag team, twirlers, dance team, cheerleaders and mascots
• Grace King High “Shamrock Shakers” pep squad, “Kolleens” dance team and cheerleaders
• Haynes Academy band, cheerleaders and dance team

Sunday, February 8

Krewe of Carrollton – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High band

Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin – 1 p.m. in Uptown

• Harry S. Truman Middle band

Krewe of Alla – 2 p.m. in Uptown

• John Ehret High band, dance team and majorettes
• Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts band
• West Jefferson High band, cheerleaders. dance team, majorettes, flag team and JROTC

Wednesday, February 11

Krewe of Druids – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• John Ehret High band, dance team and majorettes
• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Nyx – 7 p.m. in Uptown

• Grace King High “Shamrock Shakers” pep squad, “Kolleens” dance team and cheerleaders
• West Jefferson High band, cheerleaders. dance team, majorettes and flag team

Thursday, February 12

Krewe of Muses – 5 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High band
• L.W. Higgins High band
• West Jefferson High band, cheerleaders. dance team, majorettes and flag team

Knights of Babylon – 5:45 p.m. in Uptown

• West Jefferson High JROTC

Friday, February 13

Krewe d’Etat – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• East Jefferson High band, flag team, twirlers, dance team, cheerleaders and mascots

Krewe of Morpheus – 7 p.m. in Uptown

• West Jefferson High band, cheerleaders. dance team, majorettes, flag team and JROTC

Krewe of Centurions – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Riverdale Middle band, flag team, cheerleaders and dance team

Saturday, February 14

Krewe of NOMTOC – 10:45 a.m. in the Westbank

• Gretna Middle band

Krewe of Iris – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Bonnabel Magnet Academy band, cheerleaders, dance team, flag team, step team, twirlers and ROTC
• Henry Ford Middle band

Krewe of Tucks – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High band

Krewe of Endymion – 4:15 p.m. in Mid-City

• L.W. Higgins High band

Krewe of Isis – 6:30 p.m. in Metairie

• Grace King High “Shamrock Shakers” pep squad, “Kolleens” dance team and cheerleaders

Sunday, February 15

Grand Isle Mardi Gras Parade – 12:00 p.m. in Grand Isle

• Grand Isle band

Krewe of Thoth – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• Harry S. Truman Middle band
• Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts band

Krewe of Bacchus – 5:15 p.m. in Uptown

• East Jefferson High band, flag team, twirlers, dance team, cheerleaders and mascots
• Helen Cox High band
• L.W. Higgins High band
• West Jefferson High band, cheerleaders. dance team, majorettes and flag team

Monday, February 16

Krewe of Orpheus – 6 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High band
• West Jefferson High band, cheerleaders. dance team, majorettes and flag team

Tuesday, February 17

Krewe of Argus – 10 a.m. in Metairie

• East Jefferson High band, flag team, twirlers, dance team, cheerleaders and mascots
• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Grela – 10 a.m. in the Westbank

• Gretna Middle band
• Ruppel Academy flag team

Ten Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) students have been named 2015 National Merit Finalists, and six students are 2015 National Achievement Finalists. These students are now eligible to receive a National Merit or Achievement Scholarship, and recipients will be announced in the spring.

“To be selected as a finalist for the National Merit and National Achievement Scholarship programs is an immense honor, and we are so proud of these students for their accomplishments,” said Michelle Blouin-Williams, acting superintendent of JPPSS. “Congratulations to these students, families, counselors, and school staff on this extraordinary achievement!”

The National Merit Finalists from the district are:

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies
Ahmad Abughazleh
Jessica Ding
Connor Frost
Emma Hoss
Elizabeth Reiner
Evan Vedros

Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies
Tram Nguyen
Ryan Vedros

Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Quentin C. Andrus
Kayla R. Tarr

The National Achievement Finalists are:

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies
Dennis Stokes

Thomas Jefferson High School for Advanced Studies
Erin Boudoin
Amy Conner
Anfernee Murray

Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
Edward K. Johnson
Kristen R. Stamp

The Haynes Academy boys basketball team claimed the first District 9-2A title in its sixth season playing varsity hoops.

The Haynes Academy boys basketball team won the first District 9-2A championship in the program’s six years competing at the varsity level. Haynes wrapped up the season with a record of 16-9, including a mark of 7-1 in the district. Senior captain Abdul Kandil was named District 9-2A MVP. Senior captain Glen West and juniors Nick Villalobos and Stan West were selected to the All-District 9-2A Team. Congratulations to the Yellow Jackets on their historic season.

The Talented Music and Talented Theater students at Haynes Academy used their artistic skills to bring national recognition and $1,500 to the school’s arts program.

The students, under the direction of Haynes teacher Michelle McLean, won the high school division of The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show’s Classroom Musical Contest. This national contest awarded $1,500 each in the elementary, middle, and high school division. Haynes Academy students performed the vocals and instrumentals in their award-winning video, which is posted above.

The high school graduation rate for the class of 2014 in the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) is 71.9 percent, according to recent data released by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). This figure is the highest graduation rate for the district in more than a decade, and represents an increase of 2.5 percentage points when compared to figures from the class of 2013, more than double the state average growth of 1.1 percentage points over the same time period.

“This improvement in our graduation rate is extremely encouraging for JPPSS and demonstrates that we are headed in the right direction,” said acting superintendent Michelle Blouin-Williams. “Our goal is to continue this progress, ensuring that our students not only get to high school ready to learn, but also that they receive a rigorous and relevant high school education that will prepare them to graduate on time and be successful in their lives beyond high school.”

Among the JPPSS high schools that posted above average graduation rates are Grand Isle School, Fisher Middle/High, and the district’s three advanced academies. Grand Isle graduated 90 percent of its students, giving it the highest rate of the district’s open enrollment high schools; Fisher’s rate was 88.6 percent. Haynes Academy and Thomas Jefferson High School maintained a graduation rate above 95 percent, and Patrick Taylor Academy’s rate was 100 percent.

The 2013-14 graduation rate represents the percentage of students who began high school as freshmen in 2010 and graduated with a regular diploma in four years. The graduation rate for JPPSS has steadily increased since the 2006-07 school year, when the district graduated 60.4 percent of its students.

Family members, teachers, and JPPSS students who are part of the Class of 2015 can relive a very special moment when JPS-TV airs this school year’s high school graduation ceremonies. The station can be seen on Cox cable channel 8 and AT&T U-verse channel 99.

The airing times for each of the high school graduation ceremonies will change each week in June. Continue to check the JPS-TV schedule for future air dates. The graduation ceremonies may be preempted by coverage of the Jefferson Parish School Board meetings. Click here for more information on JPS-TV.

To purchase a DVD, please fill out this DVD Order Form and mail in your request to the address listed on the form with a check made payable to Jefferson Parish Public School System. JPS-TV has archive copies of most  JPPSS graduations dating back to the late 1980’s

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation named three Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) students National Merit Scholars. Jessica Ding of Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, Kayla Tarr of Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, and Ryan Vedros of Thomas Jefferson High School earned the prestigious designation of Merit Scholar and will each be awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the national organization.

2,500 students were named Merit Scholars from a pool of 15,000 finalists in this latest designation. Scholarship winners are selected based on a combination of accomplishments, skills, and the potential for success in a challenging college environment. A committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors select the scholars.

Five high schools in the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) were honored by U.S. News & World Report recently when the news organization released its national rankings for the Best High Schools of 2015.

Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, and Thomas Jefferson High School made the national rankings. Grand Isle High School and Riverdale High School were recognized nationally by the organization.

“This national honor is a product of the hard work and dedication shown each and every day at these schools,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “I’m so proud of these students, teachers, and staff members. They’ve set the bar high, and I know there are many other schools in our district that are building towards similar success.”

In the national rankings, Patrick F. Taylor ranked No. 92., Haynes Academy ranked No. 189, and Thomas Jefferson ranked No. 753.  Click here for a look at the complete national rankings.

In addition to the national honor for each of these schools, JPPSS has three of the top five high schools in Louisiana. The U.S. News state rankings placed Patrick F. Taylor No. 2, Haynes Academy No. 4, and Thomas Jefferson No. 5. Two of the state’s four gold medal schools are from JPPSS (Patrick F. Taylor and Haynes Academy), and Thomas Jefferson was one of the five Louisiana high schools to receive a silver medal designation. The medals indicate various levels of college readiness. In all, 6,517 schools in the nation received medals. Click here for a look at the complete state rankings.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings include data on more than 21,150 public high schools across 50 states and the District of Columbia. Click here for more information on the methodology used to judge schools for these prestigious rankings.

Sixteen high school seniors in the Jefferson Parish Public School System were named National Merit Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Thirteen students from Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, two from Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, and one from Thomas Jefferson High were honored as Semifinalists. Each student is eligible for the approximately 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more that $32 million that will be awarded next spring.

In all, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation named approximately 16,000 semifinalists. Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.
About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half
of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies

• Andrew Beams
• Madison Benoit
• Megan Bott
• Benjamin Edelman
• Hamna Fatima
• Christian Fernandez
• Brian Hinkamp
• Gun Kang
• Han Lee
• Michael Murphy
• Justin Turnbull
• Sabrina Walch
• Fang Zhou

Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy

• George Evangeloulis
• Alexandra Miserendino

Thomas Jefferson High

• Allie Kast

Haynes Academy’s National Merit Semifinalists are (front row from left) Megan Bott, Madison Benoit, Fang Zhou, Sabrina Walch, Hamna Fatima, (back row from left) Sun Lee, Benjamin Edelman, Andrew Beams, Michael Murphy, Brian Hinkamp, Gun Kang, Christian Fernandez, and Justin Turnbull

The students of Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies continue to make this school and the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) proud.

Along with boasting the most National Merit Semifinalists in JPPSS, Haynes Academy also has eight National Merit Commended Scholars and a pair of Hispanic National Merit Achievers.

Haynes Academy’s 13 National Merit Semifinalists are Megan Bott, Madison Benoit, Fang Zhou, Sabrina Walch, Hamna Fatima, Sun Lee, Benjamin Edelman, Andrew Beams, Michael Murphy, Brian Hinkamp, Gun Kang, Christian Fernandez, and Justin Turnbull. Thirteen percent of Haynes Academy’s senior class was named semifinalists, a distinction that went to less than 1% of all US high school students.

The school’s eight National Merit Commended Scholars are Dana Gainey, Katia Leiva, Caroline Bland, Victoria Cagle, Renee Babin, Matthew Jung, Siddesh Ponappakkum, and Micheal Hom.

Haynes Academy students Katia Leiva and Christian Fernandez were named Hispanic National Merit Achievers.

Click here to learn more about these honors, and the many others offered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Haynes Academy Principal Karla Russo accepts her school’s Sucre Cupcake Challenge donation from Joel Dondis (left) and Tariq Hanna (right) of Sucre.

Sitting on one end of the Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies field were tables of perfectly decorated Sucre cupcakes. About 75 yards away, Haynes Academy students were gathering for their much anticipated reward. The gates opened. What was once nearly 1,000 sweet treats dwindled, as the crowd of smiling middle and high school students grew.

“Everybody’s been working hard all semester,” said Haynes Academy Principal Karla Russo, “so to have this little reward has been special for them.”

The special Friday afternoon was courtesy of Sucre and the local sweet boutique’s Cupcake Challenge. Sixteen schools competed for a $1,ooo donation and the winter party. Haynes Academy students, staff, and supporters purchased the most Sucre cupcakes and shared their treats on social media using the hashtag #icethecompetition.

“They love showing their Haynes pride and going to get a cupcake at the same time,” said Russo.

Sucre chef and partner Tariq Hanna said this is one of the ways his business can give back to fans for their support. He is especially connected to supporting those who teach others.

“One of the things I’ve always been very passionate about is not only teaching in my kitchen, but actually teaching at the college and high school level,” said Hanna. “In every aspect, be it high school, be it culinary schools, I think it’s paramount to do whatever we can do to support everybody that needs it.”

Russo plans to use the money to upgrade some of the school’s classroom technology. That’s a fitting beneficiary, as technology helped Haynes earn the extra funds. Haynes has a strong presence on social media, which served them well in this competition. The school tells its story through Facebook and Instagram, and there are also Haynes Academy parent organizations that use social media to communicate.

“We’re a really great school,” said Russo, “and we really just want the community to know what’s going on at Haynes.”

Click through the photo gallery below to see some of the sights from Haynes Academy’s cupcake challenge party. You can see all our photos from the event at this link.

The students of the Jefferson Parish Public School System will do more than simply celebrate along the parade routes during Carnival season. Many of our school’s performance groups will take center stage participating in parades all over our area. This schedule highlights where our student groups will be during the 2016 Mardi Gras parades.

Don’t see your school on the list? Please send parade name, date and time, as well as the school groups marching to Ted Beasley at theodore.beasley@jppss.k12.la.us.

Saturday, January 23

Krewe of Driftwood – 1 p.m. in Kenner

• Adams Middle
• Chateau Estates Elementary
• Matas Elementary dance team
• Schneckenburger Elementary “Schneckettes” dance team

Sunday, January 24

Krewe of Little Rascals – 12 p.m. in Metairie

• Birney Elementary pep squad
• Meisler Middle

Krewe of Perseus – 1 p.m. in Slidell

• Gretna Middle cheerleaders and dance team

Friday, January 29

Krewe of Oshun – 6 p.m. in Uptown

• Ford Middle

Krewe of Cleopatra – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Ehret High band
• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• Thomas Jefferson High band, cheerleaders, flag team, PAWS dance team
• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Excalibur – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Birney Elementary pep squad
• Bonnabel High
• Patrick Taylor Academy band and cheerleaders

Krewe of Athena – 7:30 p.m. in Metairie

• Gretna Middle cheerleaders and dance team
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Saturday, January 30

The Mystic Knights of Adonis – 11:45 a.m. on the Westbank

• Lincoln Elementary
• Truman Middle

Krewe of Choctaw – 2 p.m. in Uptown

• Marrero Middle band

Krewe of Caesar – 6 p.m. in Metairie

• Bonnabel High
• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, cheerleaders, AFJROTC honor guard, armed drill team, unarmed drill team, and drum corps
• Grace King High
• Haynes Academy band, cheerleaders, and dance team

Sunday, January 31

Krewe of Carrollton –  12 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High
• Riverdale High band and spirit groups

Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin –  1 p.m. in Uptown

• Lincoln Elementary
• Truman Middle

Krewe of Alla –  2 p.m. in Uptown

• Ehret High band
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• Thomas Jefferson High band, cheerleaders, flag team, PAWS dance team
• West Jefferson High band, JROTC, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Wednesday, February 3

Krewe of Druids – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Ehret High band
• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Nyx – 7 p.m. in Uptown

• Grace King High

Thursday, February 4

Knights of Babylon – 5:45 p.m. in Uptown

• West Jefferson High JROTC

Krewe of Muses – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Friday, February 5

Krewe d’Etat – 6:30 p.m. in Uptown

• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, and cheerleaders

Krewe of Centurions – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Bonnabel High

Saturday, February 6

Krewe of NOMTOC – 10:45 a.m. on the Westbank

• Truman Middle
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Krewe of Iris – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Bonnabel High

Krewe of Tucks – 12 p.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Krewe of Isis – 6:30 p.m. in Metairie

• Birney Elementary pep squad
• Grace King High

Sunday, February 7

Krewe of Okeanos – 11 a.m. in Uptown

• Helen Cox High

Grand Isle Independent – 1 p.m. in Grand Isle

• Grand Isle School band

Krewe of Bacchus – 5:15 p.m. in Uptown

• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, and cheerleaders
• Higgins High band, ROTC, cheerleaders, pep squad, dance team, flag team, majorettes
• West Jefferson High band, dance team, majorettes, flag team

Monday, February 8

Krewe of Pandora – 7 p.m. in Metairie

• Grace King High
• Livaudais Middle band, dance team, cheerleaders

Tuesday, February 9

Krewe of Argus – 10 a.m. in Metairie

• East Jefferson High band, majorettes, dance team, flag team, and cheerleaders
• Grace King High
• West Jefferson High JROTC

The Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) named its district winners for the Louisiana Department of Education’s 2016 Student of the Year.

Keller Elementary fifth grader Samuel Korn, Haynes Academy eighth grader Prokkawn Majumdar, and Grace King High senior Maria Heredia received this prestigious honor. These three remarkable students are now eligible to become 2016 Louisiana Student of the Year.

• Click here for Principals of the Year
• Click here for Teachers of the Year

Keller Elementary fifth grader Samuel Korn poses for photographs with his family and school board member Marion Bonura. Korn’s father, who had to be out of town, made sure he attended the event virtually through the help of technology.

Keller Elementary fifth grader Samuel Korn serves as the school’s student council president and is a member of the National Junior Beta Club and the National Elementary Honor Society. Along with a host of other academic honors, Korn has been recognized for his artistic talents and his skills in martial arts. This young pianist and saxophonist was one of the few elementary students selected to perform at the French Quarter Festival with the Red Wolf Brass Band. He also earned his black belt in Tang Soo Do in 2014 after four years of hard work. These are just some of the accomplishments of this driven young man.

“This year has been truly special for me. I have had a lot of support from my family, my friends, and my teachers with my goals,” said Korn. “In addition to meeting my goals of studying hard, being the best student possible, and helping other people in and out of school, I did something I had never done before and ran for student council office and was elected the student council president of Harold Keller. It is with pride that I serve in this position and it is with honor that I am named Student of the Year for Harold Keller Elementary.”

Haynes Academy eighth grader Prokkawn Majumdar celebrated being named student of the year with his fellow classmates.

Haynes Academy eighth grader Prokkawn Majumdar possesses a diverse range of talents. This Scholastic Achievement Award recipient has won local and national academic games. Majumdar was one of the top 100 chess players in his age group for several years. He also led fundraising efforts at Haynes to aid earthquake victims in Nepal. Along with helping the Haynes Academy robotics team compete on an international stage, he also mentors his younger peers on the Metairie Academy robotics team. Much of his strong work ethic can be credited to his family.

“All of my grandparents came from small villages, some of which don’t have running water and barely any electricity even today,” said Majumdar. “My Dadus, Thamma, and Didas show me that you can become something even with those humble beginnings. I have so much more than they ever had, so this inspires me to do something good. I can see that if they have progressed this much, I can do even better if I work as hard as they did to do well in life.”

Grace King senior Maria Heredia was overcome with emotion when surprised with the good news of being named student of the year.

Grace King High School senior Maria Heredia serves the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as Academics and Improvement Committee Student Ambassador. She’s on the Louisiana Student Council Association Executive Board and is the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council District One Representative. A leader on and off campus, it was her involvement in the Ochsner STAR summer internship that caused her to take an interest in the medical field. Heredia said medicine combines her love of service and science into one package. It’s just one more challenge this outstanding student looks forward to embracing.

“I am always looking to push my boundaries to help me grow and improve,” said Heredia. “I like to ask questions to make sure I am exploring a situation from many different perspectives. My goal is to always push my intellectual or physical boundaries. Whether it was in the classroom, in the pool, musically, or personally, I take every obstacle and try to overcome it. If I fail, I know that I have tomorrow to try again and again.”

The Louisiana Department of Education, in conjunction with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, annually honors one incredible fifth, eighth, and twelfth grade student based on their leadership, academic performance, achievements, citizenship, and service to the school and community.

Students are selected by their school and submitted to the local education agency. Nominees are then forwarded to a Regional Selection Committee. The resulting eighteen finalists then compete at the state level. The winner of the three grade levels are announced on the evening of the final day of competition.

The National Finals will be held on April 22-25 at the University of Maryland.

Several district high schools participated in the Louisiana We the People competition held recently in Baton Rouge. Haynes Academy took home first place overall and will be traveling to the national event in Washington, D.C.

Jefferson Parish Public School System was also represented by teams from Helen Cox and John Ehret, who received trophies for excellence in various categories.

Eleven Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS) students have been named 2016 National Merit Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. These students are now eligible to receive a National Merit Scholarship. Recipients will be announced in the spring.

“Congratulations to each of these young people on receiving such a tremendous honor on the national stage,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “It takes a remarkable amount of hard work and dedication to become a National Merit Finalist. We are proud of the investment these students, parents, and their teachers have made in a high quality education.”

Nine students from Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies and two from Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy were honored as finalists. Each student is eligible for the approximately 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more that $32 million.

The National Merit Finalists from the district are:

Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies

• Andrew Beams
• Megan Bott
• Benjamin Edelman
• Christian Fernandez
• Gun Kang
• Han Lee
• Michael Murphy
• Justin Turnbull
• Fang Zhou

Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy

• George Evangeloulis
• Alexandra Miserendino

Over 1,600 students were honored at the Jefferson Parish Public School System’s annual Superintendent’s “A” Breakfast of Champions. The events recognize outstanding academic accomplishments for students who have earned an “A” in each course taken and no lower than a “B” in honor courses taken during the first and second nine-weeks marking periods. Those students and their families are invited to attend the breakfast ceremony.

Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph and Jefferson Parish School Board Vice President Melinda Doucet were joined by other members of the school board, district leaders, and school administrators in honoring these young scholars in grades 6-12.

The full video from each breakfast event is available below. If you’d like to order a DVD of the event, please click here. You may also view our photo galleries of the East Bank and West Bank events.

March 7, 2016 – Haynes Academy (High School)

March 8, 2016 – Chateau Estates School, East Jefferson High, Grace King High, Ellis Elementary, Meisler Middle, Adams Middle, Riverdale High, Riverdale Middle, Harris Middle

March 9, 2016 – Bonnabel Magnet Academy High, Haynes Academy (Middle School), Matas Elementary

March 14, 2016 – Gretna Middle, Truman Middle, Helen Cox High, Ford Middle, Ruppel Academy, Higgins High, Lincoln Elementary

March 15, 2016 – Marrero Middle, Livaudais Middle, Patrick F. Taylor Academy, Worley Middle, West Jefferson High

March 16, 2016 – Allen Ellender School, Fisher Middle High, John Ehret High, Thomas Jefferson High