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LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR MATH, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS
LSMSA Today
Fall 2011 www.LSMSA.edu
Page 4
Admissions enhances recruiting efforts
The Office of Outreach and Admissions for The Louisiana School for Math,
Science and the Arts has expanded its recruiting efforts in Southeast Louisiana. The
school announced that Toni Slessinger, who was previously employed by LSMSA as
an admissions recruiter based in Natchitoches, will operate an office in New Orleans to
service the city and the surrounding areas of Covington, Slidell, Mandeville, Chalmette,
Belle Chasse. Slessinger will also serve Thibodaux, Houma and as far west as Baton
Rouge.
“We have never had a person in the field in this capacity so it’s exciting to have
an expanded presence in the southeast part of the state,” said Dr. Sharon Williams,
Director of Outreach and Admissions for LSMSA.
Slessinger, who has been employed at LSMSA for five years, will be the school’s
representative at the fall night meetings in October and November where she will give
an overview of the school to prospective students and their parents. Those meeting dates
can be found on the schools website, www.lsmsa.edu, under the “Prospective Families”
section.
“Toni and her husband, Mark, who is the Head Basketball Coach at the
University of New Orleans, truly love the New Orleans area,” said Williams. “She will
be right at home representing the Louisiana School in the city and surrounding areas.
Toni has a tremendous understanding of the school’s mission and the type of student that
can be successful at LSMSA. “
She can be reached by calling 800-259-3173 or by email at tslessinger@lsmsa.
edu.
Melissa Peveto has joined the school’s admissions and outreach office, where she
will be using her considerable experience in media and public relations to promote the
school’s message throughout the state. Her experience includes both print media and
television reporting and anchoring in markets in the South. She was also a senior sales
representative for Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America.
Pictured left to right: Slessinger, Williams, and Peveto
Senior chosen to attend Girls Nation
Mary Beth Maggio, LSMSA senior from Natchitoches, was chosen to represent Louisiana at
Girls Nation after attending Louisiana Girls State. While at Girls Nation, she participated in mock
Senate sessions where states presented bills which were then argued and either passed or failed. Also
held were elections for President and Vice President of Girls Nation, who were later inaugurated in the
Capital building.
The young women spent a day on Capital Hill visiting with their various Senators and
Representatives, as well as observing the House and Senate in session and touring the area.
When she was not on the Senate floor, Maggio participated in a variety of activities in and
around the Capitol. On the first day, the group visited Arlington Cemetery where Girls Nation
presented a wreath, and Maggio had the opportunity to give a speech about being Catholic during a
ceremony in the amphitheater. Later, they visited Walter Reed Hospital where the group not only had
a picnic with the wounded veterans, but also performed patriotic songs. The group also visited the
national monuments and met President Obama.
Maggio had this to say about her experience:
“From meeting so many amazing people from around the country, to getting the
opportunity to see our government at work, to having once in a lifetime opportunities like
meeting the President, Girls Nation will be something I will never forget. We are all even
still keeping in touch through things like Facebook, email, and even snail mail. I don't
think the impact Girls Nation has left on me will ever wear off, and I will be forever
grateful for the opportunity the American Legion Auxiliary gave all of us.”
Mary Beth Maggio
2011 Matriculation
Ceremony
The annual Matriculation Ceremony
was held on Sept. 2, 2011. This
ceremony officially welcomes new
students into the Louisiana School family.
As new students’ names and home schools
are called, they sign the school roll and are
given certificates. The families of our new
students are also in attendance. After the
ceremony, students are dismissed for the
Labor Day holiday weekend.
From left to right: LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Patrick Widhalm, Sen. Ben Nevers, District 12, SGO President
Kentrell Owens of Monroe, SGO Vice President Eva Hildago of Lafayette, Sen. Gerald Long, District 31, Soloist Isabel
Milton of Carencro and Senior Class President Rishi Banda of Baton Rouge.