5 St. Landry Parish school district students are among first LSUE Academy grads

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Five St. Landry Parish school district high school students are among the first LSUE Academy graduates.
The students received associate degrees at Friday’s commencement ceremony days before graduating from high school.
St. Landry School District had the largest number of students regionally, five of 11, receiving an associate degree in the LSUE Academy program.
The LSUE Academy affords high school students the opportunity to earn an associate degree while taking classes at both LSUE and the high school they attend. Students are eligible to begin the LSUE Academy in their junior year of high school.
— Bryan Flores and Antonio Quiroz, both seniors at Opelousas High School, graduated with an associate of arts Louisiana Transfer degree, humanities.
— Ali LeJeune, a senior at Eunice High School, graduated with an associate of general studies.
— Northwest High School senior, Trinity Myers, graduated with a 4.0 and an associate of science Louisiana Transfer degree, biological sciences.
— Bonnie Lahman, a Port Barre High School senior, graduated with an associate
of arts Louisiana Transfer degree, social sciences.
Superintendent Patrick Jenkins said, “Competing for jobs in the 21st century and thriving in a global economy requires a growing, skilled and educated workforce. The partnership between SLPSB and LSUE gives our students the skills and education to be prepared for all challenges in the 21st century. We are excited that these students decided to take advantage of this incredible opportunity, and would like to congratulate our St. Landry Parish students on this outstanding achievement.”
Flores said, “College is a completely different ball game than high school. I would like to thank Mrs. Sondra Cormier for pushing me and working with me to earn my associate’s degree.”
Lahmen said, “I have developed advanced study skills and have made fantastic relationships with professors and my advisors. I have many friends in all of my classes. LSUE had truly changed my life and has made me feel prepared for university life. I will forever be thankful for this opportunity.”
LeJeune said, “Going into the Academy was one of the most exciting, yet stressful, things I’ve ever done. All of the work and exams seemed overwhelming, but the day I found out I was eligible for an associate’s degree it made the whole experience worth it.”
Ricky Julien, Opelousas High School principal, said he was a huge supporter of the dual enrollment Pell Grant experiment because it provides eligible high school students an opportunity to receive an associate degree at no cost to them. “The program also allows more mature students to get an early start on the collegiate phase of their educational experience.