By Josh Beavers

In a move aimed at continuing the tradition of excellence at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School, the Webster Parish School Board has appointed Ashley Hooter as the new principal. Hooter, a product of Webster Parish schools herself, succeeds Denny Finley, who has been promoted to Transportation Supervisor for the parish.

Hooter, a native of Springhill, has served Webster Parish Schools for 23 years, including 13 years at Minden High School, where she taught a variety of subjects such as World Geography, Civics, and Dual Enrollment American and World History. She also served as the Dean of Students at Richardson Elementary for a year before joining Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School as an Assistant Principal nine years ago.

“I owe Mr. Finley a debt of gratitude for taking a chance on me nine years ago,” said Hooter. “I thank him for giving me the opportunity to come to Lakeside and serve alongside him. I am honored and humbled, and I do not take the responsibility lightly.”

Hooter, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education with a minor in journalism from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a Master of Education in Leadership Studies from Louisiana State University Shreveport, expressed her gratitude to the supervisory staff for their support and confidence in allowing her to continue serving the students, parents/guardians, faculty, and staff at Lakeside.

As the new principal, Hooter plans to prioritize meeting with returning staff members in small groups to discuss the past year’s successes and areas for improvement. She also aims to establish new goals and maintain the school’s momentum while fostering a culture of learning and growth within the team.

Engaging with the community is another crucial aspect of Hooter’s vision. She intends to cultivate a positive and supportive relationship with the community, encouraging collaboration between the faculty, staff, local businesses, organizations, and community leaders to ensure the success of the school academically, athletically, and in all other areas.

Hooter also emphasized her commitment to supporting and motivating the faculty and staff, whom she considers the best in their roles. She plans to provide resources and training, recognize and appreciate their hard work, promote collaboration, and encourage work-life balance.

“Lakeside is and always has been a good school,” said Hooter. “We will always strive to be the best we can be. I believe in providing a quality product, whether in the classroom, on athletic fields/courts, programs, social media, etc. Everything we do should be done with excellence and should make our stakeholders proud.”

With her extensive experience in education and her dedication to serving the Lakeside community, Hooter is poised to lead the school to new heights and ensure that every student has the opportunity to contribute to the school’s ongoing success and reach their full personal and academic potential.