NEW YORK, HERE THEY COME!

  Four students from the Bossier Parish Talented Visual Arts Program know a thing or two about making a colorful splash on canvas. Now, their artistic abilities are being recognized and rewarded with an all expense paid trip to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, for a two-day Arts and Nature workshop.

  Matthew Sargent and Jemimah Suarez, both seventh graders at Haughton Middle School, will be attending. Noel Elias, a tenth grader at Parkway High School and Logan Byrd, a tenth grader at Haughton High School, are also going on the trip February 1 and 2. 

  Cornell's Lab of Ornithology is the world leader in the study, appreciation and conservation of birds and the environment. The Cornell Lab's Celebrate Urban Birds project and workshop will focus on teaching students how to use art to teach and inspire people about the natural world. Only a few youth from around the country receive scholarships to attend, so the fact that Bossier Parish Talented Visual Arts students claimed four of them speaks volumes! 

  "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity,"  Steve Porter, one of Bossier's Talented Arts teachers, said. "They are so creative and take such a serious approach to their own personal craft as young artists. They're like sponges. I tell them 'Take what I teach you and implement your own style.'"

  At the end of each class, Porter said he leaves pumped up by the talent he sees in these students. We are pumped up, too, about these four students representing Bossier Schools. We can't wait to hear about their trip when they return.

  NATURE INSPIRES YOUNG ARTISTS

  When the Red River National Wildlife Refuge opened in south Bossier recently, it wasn't just nature on display. The artwork of several talented artists from Bossier Schools also took center stage.

  Josh Bryant from Haughton High was recognized at the opening event, as well as Garrett Kitchings from Elm Grove Middle (not pictured), Jacob Mainiero from Airline High School, Hannah Spence from Airline High School and Alex Sauer from Benton High School.

  Sauer won the Ducks Unlimited Junior Duck Stamp contest for the second year in a row. She hopes to one day win the National Junior Duck Stamp contest. Judging by her talents, there is no doubt she'll do just that.

  BOSSIER STUDENTS HELP MAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE POSSIBLE

  It was a lot more fun than just a day at the park. The $3.8 million Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Bossier recently opened amid a fanfare of dignitaries and students across the parish that played an active role in the Visitor and Education Center.

  Parkway High School’s ROTC posted the colors at the ribbon cutting ceremony and students from Meadowview and Curtis Elementary Schools were there to witness the pomp and circumstance. The two schools are recipients of the federal Nature of Learning grant, written by Bossier A.I.M. Coordinator Zac Burson, who is also a member of the Friends of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge. The grant will promote student and teacher interaction at the newly constructed 5,000 acre refuge and provide binoculars, student bird field guides and a camera. 

  Leading up to the opening of the RRNWR, many youth volunteers from Bossier Schools donated their time and talents by planting trees, native plants, marking trails, bird banding and renovating an old farmhouse for educational use. Those volunteers include Martin Brigham, Camille Burson, Demetria Hays, John Michael Kelley, Kevin Sirknight and Jeshun Washington. All played prominent roles in getting the project off the ground and promoting conservation.

  A number of students were also recognized for their artistic talents. Josh Bryant, Garrett Kitchings, Jacob Mainiero, Alex Sauer and Hannah Spence represented the many Bossier Talented Arts students who have used the Red River National Wildlife Refuge to find inspiration and an audience for their photography and visual arts.

  The RRNWR is a beautiful place that will serve as the perfect outdoor classroom for children. It is located in South Bossier at the end of Sunflower Road and is open to the public.

MEET OUR NEW PRESIDENT

  With a new year comes a new president of the Bossier Parish School Board. Tammy A. Smith was handed the gavel at the January 12 board meeting. Eddy Presley will serve as vice president of the BPSB. In her acceptance speech, Smith laid the framework for the months ahead. Below are her words. 

  “Leadership in the Bible has always been described with service as its central tenet. My desire over the next 12 months is to be a leader who demonstrates this Board's desires to serve our students, employees and constituents.  I'm sure we all chose to run for public office for a variety of reasons, but I believe at the core was to make a difference.   We wanted to make our school system better through our service. 

  To be effective servants we must have direction and vision.  2012 will be a year of vision!  We have the opportunity to present to the public the largest bond proposal in our history. This bond will address growth, much needed facility improvements, employee salaries and a recurring technology fund. 

  Although each of us represents diverse districts with different needs, our focus over the next 4-6 weeks will be to establish a plan for the benefit of the entire parish.  As I have stated before, each of us is an important part of the puzzle. I will depend on each of you for guidance, input and support. 

  The 12 of us in 2012 must be unified.  Entering our second year of service together, I believe we have already demonstrated unity by unanimously supporting to extend our Superintendent's contract.  Also under Dr. Brigham's leadership, we have laid a strong foundation for pursuing a successful bond issue, especially our decision to hire a project manager to provide us a complete facility assessment. 

  This year it is our task to be visionaries and design a plan for the future, educate the public, and as board member Dr. Jack Raley says, "turn dirt." With the passing of this bond proposal we are laying plans that will forever impact the future education of Bossier Parish Schools. 

  I am honored and humbled to serve as your President for 2012.”

~Tammy A. Smith

President, Bossier Parish School Board

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