LIVINGSTON PARISH SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES LPPS DISTRICT DOWNLOAD
Livingston Parish School Superintendent Jody Purvis hosts 2026 High School Student of the Year Rachel Henry, a recent graduate of Live Oak High School, in the first episode of the LPPS District Download.
The district recently rolled out its first episode of LPPS District Download, a podcast hosted by Superintendent Jody Purvis, where he provides updates on district highlights, educational insights, and features special guests who share their stories about what matters in our schools and community.
The first episode features an interview with 2026 LPPS High School Student of the Year Rachel Henry, a graduate of Live Oak High School, who discusses how she navigated high school and reflects on those lessons learned about time management, the value of getting involved and the payoff for working hard for goals.
The podcast can be found on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and on Apple Podcasts. The links are below. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Today:
▶️ YouTube
https://youtu.be/tGwm0s2R3I0
🍎 Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lpss-district-download/id1896755629
🟢 Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/033iUZiluyNiflAu8TtHRN
🎵 Amazon Music / Audible
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4c06b97a-461e-4574-825a-4f685a78df06
❤️ iHeartRadio
https://iheart.com/podcast/334003649
DENHAM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE TOP PRIZE AT SLU FILM FESTIVAL
The DSHS film students presented their teacher and mentor Johnny Lombardi with an autographed print of their “Loyalty and Other Crimes” movie poster. The team recently won the top prize at the 2026 “Take Your Shot” Student Film Festival, hosted by the Southeastern Channel at Southeastern Louisiana University. Pictured, from left to right, are Chase Gordon, Beau David, Austin Reynolds (alumnus), DSHS STEM Instructor Johnny Lombardi, Tyler Beatty and Layden Lewis.
A team of four students and one alumnus from Denham Springs High School (DSHS) won the top prize at the 2026 “Take Your Shot” Student Film Festival, hosted by the Southeastern Channel at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.
The team’s short film titled “Loyalty and Other Crimes” is a Tarantino style film about a mob boss and his associates. The scenes were shot in and around Denham Springs. Current SLU Student and DSHS Alumnus Austin Reynolds wrote and directed the film and submitted the film in the contest.
The team includes Reynolds and DSHS students Chase Gordon, Beau David, Tyler Beatty and Layden Lewis. The four high school students worked alongside Reynolds, providing assistance with production, editing and acting.
All members of the team were involved in the project are current and former DSTV students. The school’s student-led video production and creative media program. DSTV has received more than 1.2 million views on the video content over the past two years.
WALKER HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS EARN AWARDS AT UNDERWATER ROBOTICS COMPETITIONÂ
Students with the Walker High School (WHS) Wildcats Robotics program recently earned multiple awards at the 13th Annual Northern Gulf Coast Regional MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV competition hosted in Dauphin Island, Alabama.
The 2026 competition was hosted by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Discovery Hall Program and presented competition scenarios where students had to use wind turbines to power offshore oil rigs, map the seabed and document discoveries, deploy instrumentation and monitor the health of cold-water habitats, and operate equipment under the ice.
Eighteen teams from four states competed with custom-built remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The competition challenged students to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills to solve real-world problems through mission-based underwater robotics tasks.
The WHS teams recognized at the competition included:
CyDivers team earned the “Tethered Together Award” for exceptional teamwork, with judges noting their positive attitude, camaraderie, and ability to stay motivated under pressure. Team members include Chase Martell, Jayden Paetz, Logan Vulgamore, and Olivia Vulgamore.
Frigid Expeditionaires team received the “Buoyancy Award” for their innovative approach to solving buoyancy challenges during competition. Team members include Ian Bayliss, Kira Germany, Jimmy Knight, Tyler Ordoyne and Carter Adamo.
Scallywags Team was recognized with the “People’s Choice Award” for Best Scout Poster, showcasing excellence in communication and presentation. Team members include Cayden Cain, Reid Almeida, Caden McInnis, Oliver Koelbell, and Lance McDowell.
All the WHS students were recognized by event organizers for their leadership and character. Those remaining WHS students who participated in the competition include Christian Bruce, Shawn O’Neill, TyQuincy Sellers, Braden Slocum, Donald Busby, Trelle Sellers, Eva Bencaz and Kayla Ousley-Kirby.
LPPS EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM RECEIVES DONATION
Megan Roberts, Director of the Foundation, (pictured second from right) presented a check for $218,370 to, pictured left to right, LPPS Superintendent Jody Purvis, Early Childhood Supervisor Stacey Milton and Early Childhood Coordinator Julie Norris.
The H. Allen and Jeannette Guillory Thomason Foundation recently awarded $218,370 to the Livingston Parish Public School Early Childhood program to purchase teacher laptops and iPads for all 600 LA-4 pre-kindergarten students in the parish.
Those children enrolled in the LA-4 pre-kindergarten program qualify based on their low socioeconomic status. These children are considered “at risk” for being prepared to enter kindergarten.
“The generosity of Mrs. Thomason is truly remarkable. For nearly two years, we have been searching for ways to keep our pre-K program equipped with up-to-date technology, and this support will have a lasting impact for years to come,” said LPPS Early Childhood Supervisor Stacey Milton.
The foundation honors the memory of Jeannette Guillory Thomason’s late husband, Herbert “Allen” Thomason, who was a successful entrepreneur in the local community. Together, the Thomasons co-founded and managed multiple businesses, including DSLD Homes, focusing on hard work and community outreach and support.
SOUTH FORK ELEMENTARY NAMED A CAPTURING KIDS’ HEARTS NATIONAL SHOWCASE SCHOOL
South Fork Elementary School has been named a 2025–2026 Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase School, in recognition of the school’s commitment to creating a relationship-driven culture where students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) is an educational program developed by the Flippen Group that focuses on building strong, positive relationships between teachers and students. The program aims to create a supportive and engaging school culture where students feel connected and valued. It has been implemented in thousands of schools across the United States and internationally, impacting millions of students over the years.
The primary goals of Capturing Kids’ Hearts include enhancing student-teacher relationships, creating a safe learning environment, and implementing the EXCEL model. Educators participating in the CKH program undergo comprehensive training that equips them with the skills necessary to implement the program effectively.