DISTRICT RECOGNIZES 2025-2026 PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR
Superintendent Jody Purvis recognized the 2025-2026 Livingston Parish Principal of the Year winners at the district’s December Principals’ Meeting. Pictured from left to right are Purvis, LPPS High School Principal of the Year Wes Howard, LPPS Middle School Principal of the Year Brian Gunter, and LPPS Elementary Principal of the Year Lauren Kennedy.
Livingston Parish Public Schools recently recognized this year’s Principals of the Year at the December Principals’ Meeting, which was held at the central office.
The top three winners were recognized for their outstanding leadership and dedication to students and their campus communities. The three winners are Denham Springs High School Principal Wes Howard, Westside Junior High School Principal Brian Gunter, and Juban Parc Elementary Principal Lauren Kennedy.
“These exceptional leaders set the standard for excellence in education through their commitment, passion and service to our students, teachers and families. I am grateful for the incredible work they do every day to shape the future of Livingston Parish,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said.
The three parish winners will compete in the state’s Principal of the Year competition, first competing at the regional level and then, if selected, advancing to the state level to compete against other principals in their respective grade levels, and overall, as the top principal of the year for 2026. Livingston Parish’s Justin Wax, principal of Denham Springs Junior High School, was recently selected as the 2025 Louisiana Principal of the Year.
All 2025-2026 district winners for outstanding leadership and performance, including principals, teachers, staff workers and students, will be recognized at a special ceremony in the spring semester.
LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOLS RECEIVE “BEST SCHOOL” RANKINGS FROM U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
Thirty-eight Livingston Parish schools, including all nine high schools, have been awarded “Best School” rankings by U.S. New & World Report, placing them among the state’s top 40%, according to report.
The rankings include about 70,000 public schools across the country. Schools are ranked at the state and district level, with Best Charter Schools ranked as a stand-alone category.
Among the parish’s high schools, Live Oak High ranked at the top in the parish, followed by Springfield High, Holden, Albany High, French Settlement High, Walker High, Denham Springs High, Maurepas and Doyle High.
The 14 middle schools that received a “Best Middle School” ranking, beginning with the highest ranking, include Albany Middle, Holden, Maurepas, Frost, North Corbin Junior High, Denham Springs Junior High, Live Oak Junior High, Juban Parc Junior High, French Settlement, Southside Junior High, Doyle, Walker Junior High, Westside Junior High, and Live Oak Middle.
The 15 elementary schools that received the “Best Elementary School” ranking, beginning with the highest ranking, include Juban Parc Elementary, Freshwater Elementary, Denham Springs Elementary, North Live Oak Elementary, Holden, Eastside Elementary, South Live Oak Elementary, Albany Upper Elementary, South Walker Elementary, Live Oak Elementary, Lewis Vincent Elementary, Levi Milton Elementary, Gray’s Creek Elementary, Seventh Ward Elementary, and North Corbin Elementary.
WELDING STUDENTS EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
High school students from Albany, Doyle, Holden, Live Oak and the parish-wide Pathways program recently toured Southland Steel’s fabrication facility and galvanizing plant in Amite to learn about an apprenticeship program available to students.
Students were given a tour through the facility, and they received a briefing on the TACK Apprenticeship program and how it can lead to a career at Southland Steel. The visit showed the complexity and precision required in the welding industry, including hands-on demonstrations in advanced welding techniques, pre-heating, arc gouging and ultrasonic testing for quality assurance.
The tour and demonstration was led by Southland Plant Manager Zach Kent and Director of Workforce Chance Plaisance.
YOUTUBE CHEF AND CAJUN NAVY GIVE GIFTS TO WALKER ELEMENTARY
Walker Elementary teachers and staff welcome several pallets of gifts given to them by two YouTube chefs and the United Cajun Navy to be opened, organized and distributed to their students. Pictured from left to right are Rachael Bridges, Evelyn Wheat, Aimee Spearman, Ashley Cook, Kevia Green, YouTube Chef Ralph Williams and his son and co-host Ralph Williams Jr., Hope Clements, and Eliana Barras.
Students at Walker Elementary School received a wave of holiday cheer and generosity before the holiday break thanks to the United Cajun Navy, along with Ralph Williams, better known as Ralph the Baker, and his son Ralph Williams, Jr., aka RJ-Drip Cooking.
The two Internet cooking sensations teamed up with the nonprofit United Cajun Navy to deliver more than 1,800 toys, 300 pairs of shoes and 700 plushies to the school, enabling every student on the campus to receive gifts.
They selected Walker Elementary as the recipient of the gifts after one of Williams’ family members, a teacher at the school, shared that many local families needed assistance this season, and that Walker Elementary teachers and staff are committed to maintaining a strong, positive involvement in the local community.
The event was made even more magical with special appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, who joined the Williams father and son team to hand out the toys to students. Toys were also sent home with parents during carpool.
Williams is a culinary content creator and influencer who has gained significant popularity for his Cajun and New Orleans-style cooking. His content, which includes videos of his cooking, has garnered him a large following on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where he ranks in the top 1% both nationally and globally.