education CONNECT
MCKINLEY BETA CLUB SHINES AT NATIONAL CONVENTION Congratulations to the McKinley Elementary School Beta Club for its outstanding performance at the National Beta Convention in Orlando, Florida. Competing among over 8,000 students, McKinley proudly represented EBR Schools with several top honors, including 1st Place in Academic Fourth Grade Math (Naythan Xu) and multiple 2nd Place awards in Performing Arts, Create and Animate, and Onsite Painting. Students also earned honorable mentions and showcased their talents in Living Literature, Meeting of the Minds, Recycle, Reimagine, Recreate, and Convention Invention. These achievements reflect the Beta pillars of achievement, character, leadership, and service.
FOOD EDUCATION SPARKS STEM LEARNING
Local public school teacher Nikita LaCour-Dukes is transforming how her middle school students connect STEM to Louisiana’s agriculture and food economy. Through service-learning projects with nonprofits like Baton Roots and a $100 grocery challenge, students are exploring real-world topics like inflation, budgeting, and food access. Their work links science, history, cultural heritage, and civic engagement in meaningful ways. Dukes credits Pilot Light’s newly updated, peer-reviewed Food Education Standards as the spark behind it all. “Food doesn’t know race, gender, or ability. Everyone can connect to it,” she says, noting how food education now fuels lessons in chemistry, materials science, and biomedicine.
ONPATH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS As part of its 2025 High School Scholarship Program, OnPath Foundation has awarded $2,000 scholarships to 20 outstanding high school seniors from across Louisiana as they begin their college journeys. This year’s program represents a $40,000 investment in the future of Louisiana students, made possible through the Foundation’s Education support pillar, which is dedicated to increasing educational access and long-term opportunities. The selection process was highly competitive, with applicants evaluated on academic performance, leadership, community involvement, and their personal commitment to making a difference. Local recipients include Chase Corbins, D’Ron McZeal, and Addi Grace Taylor.
SJA STUDENTS SERVE AND GROW IN FAITH ON NASHVILLE MISSION TRIP A group of St. Joseph’s Academy students traveled to Nashville, Tennessee for the 2025 Alive in You service immersion program. Guided by Campus Minister Chelsea Colomb and Laurie Rozas, students joined youth groups from across the country to deepen their faith while serving others. Their primary worksite, Mercy Chefs Nashville Community Kitchen, provided more than 15,000 meals to shelters, veterans’ homes, and homeless outreach programs. The trip also included volunteering at the Adventure Science Center and visiting the St. Cecilia Motherhouse. Students returned inspired, strengthened in faith, and committed to living out their call to discipleship.
PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM
12 SEPTEMBER 2025 | BRPARENTS.COM
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