By Pat Culverhouse
Several Webster Parish students received accolades from parish school board members for their outstanding achievements during Monday’s meeting.
Rylee Hudson, an eighth grade student at Webster Jr. High, placed first in the middle school public speaking at Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando, FL.
Educators Rising is a national organization dedicated to preparing middle school, high school and college students for careers in education. Hudson topped competitors from states including New Mexico, Texas and Alaska.
Ethan Gorum, an incoming sophomore at Minden High, was recognized for his perfect 850 score in Algebra I on the LEAP exam. LEAP tests measure proficiency for students between grades 3-12 in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, science and social studies subjects.
Statistics show only a small percentage of students achieve perfect scores on the LEAP tests.
Five Webster Parish students were elected to office at the recent Boys and Girls State gathering. At Boys and Girls State, students form mock cities, parishes and state government. Officials are elected at each level.
Hudson Smith, a senior at North Webster High, was elected to the program’s highest office, Governor of Boys State 2025. Smith is a senior at North Webster where he is captain of the football team and National Honor Society president.
Smith was elected by students representing the 64 parishes of the state.
Topher Wilson, a senior at Minden High, was elected Commissioner of Insurance. Wilson is an honor student, President of the Student Council and is a member of the school’s soccer and baseball teams.
Wilson was named Boys State Commissioner by the Louisiana State Commissioner of Insurance, Tim Temple. Temple reportedly is planning a trip to MHS in September for a “meet and greet” with Wilson and representatives of the parish school system.
Three students were named as State Party Chairs during Boys and Girls State. Two Party Chairs are elected in both Boys and Girls State, and both Boys State winners were from Minden High.
Receiving the honors were Jacob Jefferson and I’Xamien Sullivan. Both are seniors at MHS.
At Girls State, another Minden High student was named State Party Chair. Ava Martin is a senior at MHS where she is an honor student and a Captain of the Louisi-Annes.
During Monday’s meeting, school board members also:
• Approved the 2025/26 Webster Parish Parent and Family Engagement Police.
• Approved 2025/26 Webster Parish Homeless Policies and Procedures.
• Heard a report from board attorney Jon Guice concerning paraprofessionals serving as bus drivers.
Invoice payments totaling $307,554.07 for school maintenance, repair and supplies from various school system funds also received approval. Those include:
• Consolidated District 3 Maintenance Fund: $79,521.99. Major expenditures are $19,362 to replace fire alarm panel at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $10,525 to replace compressor, inverter board and two thermistors on 5th grade wing at Central Elementary; $9,560 to purchase vinyl floor cover, rolling cart and cart cover for Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $8,911.47 to purchase three new laptops and three new desktops for Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $8,400 to purchase new air conditioning unit in Ag shop at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $7,414 to purchase six picnic tables for Lakeside Jr/Sr High$5,164.10 to purchase ice machine for Lakeside Jr/Sr High.
• Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund: $3,467 to saw cut brick, mount and calk 40 feet of metal to prevent water from entering building at North Webster Upper Elementary.
• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $45,096.12. Expenses include $13,240 to change compressors, inverter board, board and nitrogen rental at Doyline High; $8,654.74 to install remote door opening system to glass doors in entry hall at Doyline High; $8,257 to change out outside compressor and board at Doyline High; $6,800 to repair dryer, inducer motor and flame sensor at Doyline High; $4,288.38 to purchase volleyball net system for Doyline High.
• District 6 One-half Cent Sales Tax Fund: $103,418.83. Major items include $30,725.70 to purchase 90 round tables and 300 student chairs for Webster Jr. High; $26,057 to install digital sign at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $22,255 for one-year service agreement through July 31, 2026 for chillers at Minden High; $7919 to update audio/visual equipment in Strong Hall at Minden High; $6,218 to purchase five picnic tables for J.L. Jones Elementary; $5,780 for repairs, replace gas valves, inducer draft motors and thermostat at J.L. Jones Elementary.
• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $67,782.13. Major payments include $28,675 for new sidewalk, culverts and fencing at Brown Upper Elementary; $11,408 to purchase four horseshoe tables, 12 72x30x29 tables and 24 chairs for parent conference room at Browning Elementary; $5,595 to purchase 15 Chromebook parts for Brown Upper Elementary; $5,154 to purchase ice machine for Brown Upper Elementary; $4,429.43 to install new carpet for outside entrance at Browning Elementary; $4,117 to repair and replace Symcom motor saver three-phase, motor and rib at North Webster High.
• Shongaloo Building Fund: $8,268. Total includes $4,998 to have front doorway and doorway to lobby of gym wrapped in graphics at North Webster Lower Elementary; $2,200 to prep, prime and paint front doorway of school and doorway to gym lobby at North Webster Lower Elementary; $1,070 to cut down and remove damaged tree at North Webster Lower Elementary.