Lafayette Parish and West Feliciana Parish students take top honors in state competition launched by Louisiana Department of Education, Reagan Foundation, and City of Covington
COVINGTON, La. — The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is sending two Louisiana students to the Reagan Presidential Library in California as part of Celebrate Freedom Week. Lafayette High’s Lincoln Trumps and West Feliciana Middle’s Olivia Norris won first place for their grade level in a special Louisiana division of the Ronald Reagan Oratory Competition, earning a trip to nationals.
Trumps and Norris participated in the finals of the state competition today in Covington, LA, which is home to the world’s largest Ronald Reagan statue. This special competition is the result of a partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), the Reagan Foundation, and the City of Covington for Celebrate Freedom Week and America’s 250th anniversary.
Today’s event in Covington included student presentations from all four grade level categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Students engaged with a selected radio address by President Reagan, focusing on the enduring importance of freedom.
Students in K-2 were asked to study a quote from President Reagan and create artwork that illustrates what freedom means to them. Students in all other grade levels were asked to recite a selected excerpt from one of President Reagan’s radio addresses. The overall winners in grades 6-8 and 9-12 receive a trip to the national finals, which will include middle and high school students from across the country.
High School Division (Grades 9-12)
Lafayette Parish School System Lincoln Trumps won the high school division, which asked students to recite a selected excerpt from one of President Reagan’s radio addresses. Trumps is a student at Lafayette High.
High School Division Finalists
- Cecilia Flanders: North DeSoto High | DeSoto Parish Schools
- Joe Lewis: Winnfield Senior High | Winn Parish School System
Middle School Division (Grades 6-8)
West Feliciana Parish Schools student Olivia Norris won the middle school division, which asked students to recite a selected excerpt from one of President Reagan’s radio addresses. Norris is a student at West Feliciana Middle.
Middle School Division Finalists
- Sawyer Smith: West Feliciana Middle | West Feliciana Parish Schools
- Ganapathy Subrahmaniam: Benton Middle | Bossier Parish Schools
Upper Elementary Division (Grades 3-5)
Bossier Parish Schools student Henry Fauber won the upper elementary division, which asked students to recite a selected excerpt from one of President Reagan’s radio addresses. Fauber is a student from Benton Intermediate School.
Lower Elementary Division (Grades K-2)
West Feliciana Parish Schools student Meredith Yantis won the lower elementary division, which asked students to learn about President Reagan and create artwork to show what freedom means to them. Yantis is a student at Bains Lower Elementary.
In addition to student presentations, the event featured remarks by Covington Mayor Mark Johnson, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley, Reagan Foundation Director of Learning and Engagement Megan Gately, and LDOE assistant superintendent Trey Folse.
St. Tammany Parish Public Schools students also participated in the event. The Northshore High JROTC did the presentation of colors, Beija Lopes-Morgan of Mandeville High led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Molly Lemmler of Fontainebleau High sang the National Anthem.
Adam Dibenedetto and Sabre Payne of the LDOE moderated the event and the judges were Megan Bella of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, Gately of the Reagan Foundation, and Jennifer Tuttleton of the LDOE.
About Celebrate Freedom Week
Celebrate Freedom Week, which is September 15-19 this year, is a statewide observance that promotes civic understanding and constitutional literacy among Louisiana students. Held annually in September to coincide with Constitution Day and Constitution Week, the week ensures students receive age-appropriate instruction on the founding principles of the United States.
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