The Voice of Southwest Louisiana June 2018 Issue

SWLA education
Contributed Article
LAKE CHARLES
COLLEGE PREP
HELD FIRST
GRADUATION
High School graduation
ceremonies are a
normal part of the
month of May. However, for
a group of 76 Lake Charles
students, their graduation is
not only a special moment
for them and their families,
but they were the first
graduating class of Lake
Charles College Prep. Ulysses
Gene Thibodeaux, President
of the Southwest Louisiana
Charter Academy Foundation,
Inc., which oversees the
management of the LCCP,
stated that, “This graduation
represents the fulfillment of
our commitment to provide
choice for families seeking
a quality pre-k-12th grade
education for their children.”
In August 2014, many of these students
were part of the first Freshmen group to
enroll at the LCCP. The school’s mascot,
the Trailblazers, uniquely applies to
them. Jordan Adams is the 2018 class
Valedictorian and a recipient of a full
academic scholarship to Johns Hopkins
University. David Rankins is the 2018
Salutatorian and will continue his
education at McNeese State University.
Honorary Diplomas were
awarded to Alfredo Cavaliere,
from Italy, and to Matej
Uhrin from Slovakia. Both
students spent this year at
the LCCP. Alfredo finished
the year with a 4.0 GPA. Also,
Paul Williams was the first
LCCP athlete to receive a full
athletic scholarship to play basketball at
Louisiana State University-Eunice.
9 of the 76 graduates enriched their
high school education by taking
advantage of dual enrollment
opportunities off-campus. 6 earned
credit at McNeese, 2 at ABC Welding,
and Victoria O’Quinn was recognized
for earning 40 college credits through
Sowela Community and Technical
College prior to her graduation. Because
of this, Victoria will be spending her
summer as an intern at the National
Cancer Institute in Maryland.
Ken Roebuck, Principal of LCCP,
challenged the graduates, “to not let this
be the last time to be first at something.”
For further information contact:
Rev. Dr. Henry Mancuso
Executive Secretary, Board of Trustees
C- 304-0604
GRADUATION CEREMONY:
Saturday, May 19th – 2 p.m.
United Christian Fellowship
2900 Opelousas Street
Lake Charles, LA
Jordan Adams - Valedictorian
Pictured L-R: Rev. Dr. Henry Mancuso, Alfredo Cavaliere
of Salerno, Italy and Judge Gene Thibodeaux.
14
June 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 11