Fifteenth annual event held in Jena on May 4, 2026
The fifteenth annual LaSalle Parish Scholars’ Reception was held Monday, May 4, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Jena, sponsored by The GEO Group and the LaSalle Economic Development District (LEDD).
Over 80 scholars were presented with 174 scholarships for a total of $121,000.00 at the event, the largest amount ever distributed in the 15 years of the Scholars’ Reception.
Held each year to honor parish graduating scholars who receive scholarships and to honor businesses and organizations that sponsor the scholarships, the LaSalle Parish Scholars’ Reception is featured with the pictures in this special “Scholar’s Reception” section.
The program opened with the welcome given by Shad Rice, Facility Administrator at the GEO Group’s Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center, who also served as the Master of Ceremonies.
LaSalle High School Student of the Year Carlie Aycock gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Jason Brooks 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 and speak to its history.
This event was spearheaded by David Cole, a former Warden of The GEO Group. Cynthia Cockerham, Executive Director of LEDD was eager to support his new idea. In 2012, as representatives of the business community, GEO and LEDD, decided 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 encourage them to make LaSalle Parish their ‘forever home.’
Over the past 15 years, we have recognized almost 1,000 graduates with 2,000 scholarships valued at $1.1 million. In year one, 2012, we honored 26 graduates with 50 scholarships totaling $34,000. Tonight’s totals are more than triple those figures – 82 graduates will receive 174 scholarships valued at $121,000.00. This has truly become an event that the community has invested in! LaSalle Parish has so much to be proud of!
We are very proud of each one of you and our local school system. Academic excellence is vital to economic and community development. Thank you for being a part of LEDD’s efforts to strive for A Greater LaSalle.”
Memorials & Family Sponsored Awards
Adrienne P. and Walter E. Dorroh, Sr. Memorial presented by Walter Dorroh Jr. and Evans Dorroh.
Asif Riaz Chaudhry Memorial presented by Dr. Riaz and Samina Chaudhry.
Nick B. Harris Memorial presented by the family of Nick Harris.
W.B. & Ruth McCartney Scholarship in Education presented by Dariel McCartney Adams.
Thompson & Vickers Memorial presented by Jenene Bignar.
W.H. Ward Family Forestry Scholarship presented by Ann Keene and Mary Kathryn Book.
Caroline Bradford Memorial presented by Casie & Slade Bradford and Maci Bradford Phillips.
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 Tolar Memorial presented by John Stephens.
Emma Dee Gray Memorial presented by Lanny Webb.
Coach Matt Mason Memorial presented by Ashton Rymer and Shelby Mason.
Kristy Martin Memorial presented by Adam Powell.
Michelle Stevenson Gray Richard Memorial presented by Hailey Gray Cooksey.
Ginger D. Worthington Memorial Leadership presented by Melvin and Coral Worthington.
LaSalle High Awards
Centennial Cultural Center award presented by R.V. Couch.
Kenneth Strain FFA Memorial presented by Chris Bennett.
Cody Ranton Memorial presented by Chris Bennett.
Gary Taylor Memorial presented by Jody O’Bier.
Kiwanis Club of Olla awards presented by Jake Long.
K&C Generations awards presented by Kevin and Hannah Beth Salter-Smith.
Business and Community Awards
CLTCC, Rod Brady Campus JAG & FFA awards presented by Michelle Morea.
Jena Lions Club awards presented by Doug Moore.
Louisiana Sheriff’s Association award presented by Lane Windham.
Homeland Bank scholarships presented by Brittany Walker and Jake Long.
WoodmenLife – Focus Forward and Louis P. Ledet, Sr. Memorial awards presented by Lisa Grant and Tracy Dean.
The GEO Group scholarships presented by Shad Rice and Melinda Parker.
LaSalle Scholars Foundation Awards
LaSalle Parish Scholars Fund awards, including Sammy Franklin Memorial presented by Cynthia Cockerham, JCP Management and Senator Glen Womack presented by Tori Roberts, LaSalle Lumber presented by Michael Veuleman and Rhonda Owen, and Drax presented by Shelby Kelmell.
To be eligible to receive a LaSalle Parish Scholars Fund scholarship, parish seniors must have graduated with a 3.5 GPA.
Closing remarks were made by Luke Wright, LaSalle Parish and Jena High School Student of the Year and Blake Phillips, LEDD Treasurer.
The benediction was pronounced by Ada Kimbrough from Jena High School.
To donate to the scholar’s fund, make checks payable to the LaSalle Parish Scholar’s Foundation and mail to LEDD, c/o Cynthia Cockerham, P.O. Box 775, Jena, La, 71342, with contact information. For memorial scholarships, please indicate who the scholarship is in memory or honorarium of.
For more information, visit www.agreaterlasalle.com.
