Staff Report
Some of them had rocky starts in middle and high school, but despite how they started, that is not how 30 Bossier Parish students ended the year and why they were recognized recently as Optimist Rising Stars.
Two students from every Bossier Parish middle and high school were celebrated at an awards ceremony for making positive life choices and turning around their grades, behavior and attendance.
Retired Student Services Director Bettye McCauley explained it was in 2001 that Optimist Club member Cecil Strickland suggested the creation of an awards program that recognized students who showed great improvement. The Optimists have honored Rising Stars every year since.
“It’s to inspire students to go higher and higher,” McCauley told the audience.
This year’s class of Rising Stars from Bossier Parish middle schools are: Issabella Jones and Victor Blas, Benton Middle; Gabriel Lopez and Aubre “Jade” Wileman, Cope; Ayden Truelove and McKenzie O’Nishea, Elm Grove; Mawada Naser and Juan Moreno, Greenacres; Aiden Pevy and Ivyanna Taylor, Haughton; Xavier Wells-Braggs and Kamiia Ford, Plain Dealing; Jason Wallace and Demareya Bates, Rusheon; and Troy Bryant and Aaliyah Clark, Butler Educational Complex.
High School honorees are: Ja’kayla Smart and Kyrin Marshall, Airline; Alexander Hodges and Ar’Miracle Mathews, Benton; Tay’Eiona Jackson and Jaylen Bass, Bossier; Gabriel Broadway and Alexis Morrison, Haughton; Trinity Williams and Damian Ernest, Parkway; Trinton Thompson and Nicole Adoremos, Plain Dealing; and Jakayla Douglas and Micah Walker, Butler Educational Complex.
It was a moment of pride for the Rising Stars as their assistant principals spoke about the strides they had made and read aloud the nominations submitted by administrators and teachers. The students clearly basked in the positive praise.
The words of affirmation were inspirational. One presenter explained how a student “knew if he wanted to play football he needed to be on his best behavior, both on and off the field.” He added, “His discipline, mindset, maturity and thoughtful decision making have truly stood out this year.”
Another said, “She figured out on her own she needed to go down a different path. She joined the powerlifting team this year and has become much more outgoing on campus.”
Benton Middle School Principal Fran Sprankle added, “It’s not about where you start, but the steps you take along the way,” citing how one of her honorees has become more intentional about academics and meeting challenges head on.
And yet another testimonial given was, “When she saw something that was wrong or thought something wasn’t fair or didn’t agree with how you handled something – young or old – she’d blow up. Now, she doesn’t sweat the small stuff and when she does disagree, she’s not disagreeable.” And one student self-professed that she was “a little messy” her sixth grade year. It was her desire to be on the track team that led to her turnaround.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Bossier Schools Assistant Superintendent Andrea Spinney praised the Rising Stars for the personal growth they had shown and offered some advice.
“We strive to win the day, but not everyday is going to be a win; but when it’s not a win, it’s a lesson, not a loss.”
Congratulations and best wishes to these Rising Stars on their continued track for success. Bossier Schools would also like to extend a special thanks to the Bossier Optimist Club for recognizing them and for consistently living up to the organization’s motto “Friend of Youth.”