Thirteenth Annual Event Held in Jena on May 7, 2024
The thirteenth annual LaSalle Parish Scholars Reception was held Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Jena, sponsored by The GEO Group and the LaSalle Economic Development District (LEDD). More than 75 scholars were presented with 166 scholarships for a total of approximately $93,000 at the reception held each year to honor parish scholars who receive scholarships and to honor businesses and organizations that sponsor the scholarships with the pictures featured in this special “Scholars Reception” section.
The program opened with the welcome given by Laurel Comeaux, representing LEDD, who also served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Jena High School Student of the Year Garrett Dotson gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Kaylin Peppers of LaSalle High School.
Walter E. Dorroh Jr., President of LEDD, gave a few opening remarks and recognized the donors.
“As President of LEDD, I would like to welcome each of you to this event— the 13th Annual LaSalle Parish Scholars Reception.
This event was spearheaded by David Cole, a former Warden of The GEO Group. As representatives of the business community, GEO and LEDD decided in 2012 to jointly host this event to honor both the recipients of the scholarships and our local donors. We wanted to celebrate academic excellence and challenge our best and brightest to further their education and choose to make LaSalle Parish their forever home.
At the first event, held May 15, 2012, we honored 26 LaSalle Parish graduates and celebrated with them as they received 50 scholarships totaling $34,000. The event was held in Jena Town Hall. As you can see, this event has grown! Since that date, this event has awarded over 1,600 local scholarships valued at more than $870,000 for over 800 LaSalle Parish graduates. This has truly become an event that the community has invested in!
I would like to commend the generosity of all the participating organizations tonight. A special thank you goes to the Caroline Bradford Family, The GEO Group and Homeland Bank. These three organizations collectively will distribute more than $38,000 in scholarships tonight. The local organizations and families that you see on the program have a generous history of funding local scholarships. We commend them all for choosing to invest in our youth.
We are very proud of each one of you and our local school system. Academic excellence is a vital to economic and community development. Thank you for being a part of LEDD’s effort to strive for A Greater LaSalle. Congratulations to each and every one of you.
It’s a big night! Tonight 76 students will leave here with 166 scholarships valued at almost $93,000.”
Jena High Awards
Jena High School Alumni Association award presented by Anne Lott.
JHS Class of 1965 award presented by Vicki Buckhalter.
Larry Evans & Crusty Toler Memorial presented by Blake Phillips.
Emma Dee Gray Memorial presented by Lanny Webb.
Lak Kittlin Health Profession award presented by Kimberly and Emily Kittlin.
Ginger D. Worthington Memorial Leadership presented by Melvin and Coral Worthington.
L.J. Thompson & P.S. Vickers Memorial presented by Ladonna Cooper.
LaSalle High Awards
Kiwanis Club of Olla awards presented by Laurel Comeaux.
Cody Ranton Memorial presented by Chris Bennett.
Kenneth Strain FFA Memorial presented by Chris Bennett.
Memorials & Family Sponsored Awards
Caroline Bradford Memorial presented by Casie, Slade and Maci Bradford.
Asif Riaz Chaudhry Memorial presented by Dr. Riaz and Samina Chaudhry.
Adrienne P. and Walter E. Dorroh, Sr. Memorial presented by Walter Dorroh Jr.
Nick Harris Memorial presented by the family of Nick Harris.
Chuck Weeks Memorial presented by Megan Glenn.
Business and Community Awards
CLTCC, Rod Brady Campus presented by Michelle Morea.
CLTCC, JAG & FFA presented by Michelle Morea.
Lions Club awards presented by Doug Moore.
Scott Foundation 4-H Achievement presented by Silas Cecil.
Louisiana Sheriff’s Association awards presented by Lane Windham.
WoodmenLife – Focus Forward and Louis P. Ledet, Sr. Memorial awards presented by Keith Reichardt and Lisa Grant.
Homeland Bank scholarships presented by Brittany Walker and Carlee Andrews.
The GEO Group scholarships presented by Shad Rice and Melinda Parker.
LaSalle Parish Scholars Fund awards, including Nelda Rosier Memorial presented by Johnny Rosier, Sammy Franklin Memorial presented by Craig Franklin, LaSalle Lumber presented by Michael Veuleman and Rhonda Owen, JCP Management and Senator Glen Womack presented by Canaan Cotton, Drax presented by Michelli Martin, and the final scholars awards were presented by Walter Dorroh, Jr., Libby Rogers, John Stephens and Laurel Comeaux.
Closing remarks were made by Hayleigh Boyd, LaSalle Parish and LaSalle High School Student of the Year and Shad Rice, The GEO Group.
The benediction was pronounced by Jewellia Champlin from Jena High School.
To donate to the scholar’s fund, make checks to the LaSalle Parish Scholar’s Fund and mail to LEDD, c/o Cynthia Cockerham, P.O. Box 775, Jena, La, 71342 with contact information and for memorial scholarships, who the scholarship is in memory or honorarium of.
For more information, visit www.lasalleledd. com.
