The 2026-2027
Judges
Choosing the children who will grace the pages of Baton Rouge Parents Magazine is no small task! Our Cover Kid judges brought their unique experiences, professional expertise, and genuine passion for children and our community to this year’s selection process. From education and literacy to communications, advocacy and community service, each judge offered a thoughtful perspective as they helped us discover the amazing kids who will be featured in our upcoming issues. We are grateful for the time, care, and heart they put into making this year’s Cover Kid event so special. Get to know the incredible people who helped make it all possible!
Morgan Decuir, M.Ed. , is an education leader with more than 10 years of experience in early childhood education, literacy instruction, and educator professional learning. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Literacy, is a Louisiana-certified mentor teacher and reading specialist, and holds teaching certifications in PreK–3 and Grades 1–5. She currently serves as a Project Manager at LAFORCE, where she supports initiatives that strengthen early learning sys- tems and expand access to high-quality childcare, while also serving as a member of the Louisiana affiliate of the National Associa- tion for the Education of Young Children (LAAEYC) and the Ju- nior League of Baton Rouge. She is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Leadership and Human Resource Develop- ment at LSU, with a concentra- tion in Workforce Development.
an since the State Library of Louisiana began operation in 1925 as the Louisi- ana Library Commission. She began her career at the State Library in 2008, serving as a Library Consultant, Associate State Librarian, and Deputy State Librarian before being named State Librarian by the Board of Commissioners in 2023. Under her leadership, the State Library has increased outreach efforts and public awareness of its programs and resources, and helped Louisiana public libraries strengthen their service offerings for patrons. Included in these initiatives are expanded telehealth services at library systems around the state, the Check Out Louisiana State Parks and Museums access programs, and innovative professional development opportunities for library staff. Heather Duke Pocic attended LSU Laboratory School from kindergarten through 12th grade and graduated from LSU in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She began her career as a school nurse before becoming
a stay-at-home mom to her three children, Ellie, 6; Duke, 5; and Dixon, 3. Heather joined the Iris Domestic Violence Center Board in January 2023 and currently serves as Board President. She is passionate about supporting survivors and strengthening her community. Tracy White is a skilled public relations professional with over 15 years of experience in communications. She manages media relations for Spectrum, formerly Cox Communications, and is the official spokesperson for Louisiana.
awards, including being named the 2022 Public Relations Association of Louisiana’s Practitioner of the Year and a Woman of
Influence by the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. Besides her professional accomplishments, she has contributed to the community by serving on multiple boards and non-profit organizations, including Girls Scouts Louisiana East and Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS). Additionally, she is the Past President of the Baton Rouge chapter for the Public Relations Association of Louisiana. Tracy is wired to help others and has organized over 1500 volunteer hours and social gatherings to support Louisiana nonprofits that address critical needs in the community. In her time away from work, she enjoys playing pickup basketball and fishing in Cocodrie with her son and husband. Tracy obtained her bachelor's degree from Nicholls State University, where she studied communications and social sciences.
With boundless curiosity and a profound love for PR, she has created numerous
impactful initiatives, including the Diverse-ability Awards, Social Justice Grants, charitable giving pop-ups, and the Kids Rock the Moment Campaign,
to facilitate meaningful community connections.
Before joining Spectrum, she successfully served as a change management facilitator at Albemarle Corporation. She is a 2020 Leadership Baton Rouge alumna and the recipient of multiple leadership
Meg Placke is the fifth person to hold the position of State Librari-
44 OCTOBER 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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