Kinder High, Oberlin High and Reeves High say goodbye to the Class of 2023
Kinder, Oberlin and Reeves said goodbye to their students of the Class of 2023 last week during commencement ceremonies.
Kinder
The Kinder High Class of 2023 Commencement was held at the Coushatta Pavilion on Thursday, May 18.
The evening program included Caroline Comeaux leading the pledge, and Madison Pelican giving the invocation. The welcome came from Cameron Storer. Hadley Lemons did “Looking Back,” and Ross Hebert did “Looking Forward.”
Several awards were given to students before Mrs. Melody LaFleur, principal, gave her message. LaFleur and Larry Alexander, assistant principal, presented diplomas to students.
Oberlin
Oberlin High conducted commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, May 16. The top three graduates gave speeches during the ceremony including Abby Rider, valedictorian; Sydney Aucoin, salutatorian; Erin Manuel, historian or class member ranked third.
Those graduating with distinction included:
•Summa cum laude graduates (GPA of 3.95 or higher): Gracie Chatman, Sydney Aucoin, Abby Rider, Blaise LeJeune, Jasmin Cotton and Erin Manuel.
•Magna cum laude graduates (GPA of 3.85 to 3.94): Kathrynn Witherington and Cloee Bertrand.
•Cum laude graduates (GPA of 3.5 to 3.84): Landon Vidrine, Krista Veazey, Brianna Rex, Madison Semien, Jesika Chatman, Treonia Nichols, Noah Williamson, Alexander Lavan, Phillip Lawless, Joshua Pitre and Clanton Frank.
Several graduates received scholarships and awards during the ceremony includeing:
•$2,000 scholarships to Sowela Technical Community College were given to five students: Alexander Lavan, Asma Khan, Landon Vidrine, Benjamin Thomas and Joshua Pitre.
•Clanton Frank received a $500 scholarship from Barksdale Federal Credit Union in Oakdale.
•Damarius Williams received the Self Achievement Scholarship in the amount of $600 from Making Memories.
•Joshua Pitre was given a $1,000 scholarship from the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Construction Education Foundation. Pitre also received the Yellow Pine Lodge Scholarship as well as the American Legion award.
•Benjamin Thomas, Landon Vidrine, and Joshua Pitre each received the $500 FFA award.
•Jasmin Cotton received the Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in the amount of $6,000.
•Sydney Aucoin, Kathrynn Witherington and Erin Manuel were each awarded the McNeese Academic Excellence Award worth $7,200.
•Erin Manuel also received the Sixth Annual BMW Memorial scholarship in the amount of $1,500, as well as the Westlake Chemical scholarship worth