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Six Calcasieu Parish students start their first year at Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 12:07 GMT by The Advocate
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New Calcasieu Parish Students Earn Spots in Louisiana’s Premier STEM Academy

In a wave of excitement that has swept across Lake Charles, several high‑schoolers from New Calcasieu Parish have been accepted into the Louisiana State Math, Science & Arts Academy (LSMSA). The academy, a state‑wide program that partners with LSU’s School of Science, offers a rigorous 12‑week summer curriculum designed to stretch the minds of Louisiana’s most promising STEM students. This season’s cohort—five juniors and one senior—will be the first from the parish to participate in the program, marking a significant milestone for the community’s educational ambitions.

A Quick Overview of LSMSA

Founded in 2002, LSMSA is a magnet program that brings together the brightest students from across Louisiana for intensive, research‑oriented coursework. The academy’s website notes that participants engage in hands‑on projects in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and the arts. Over 300 students graduate from LSMSA each year, many of whom go on to study STEM fields at top universities and secure positions at leading research institutions.

The selection process is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic records, teacher recommendations, and performance on LSMSA’s admission test, which covers advanced algebra, geometry, and basic physics. The academy also places emphasis on creative problem‑solving and community service, reflecting its commitment to producing well‑rounded scientists, engineers, and innovators.

The New Calcasieu Parade of Scholars

At a small ceremony held on the campus of St. Joseph Catholic School in Lake Charles, the six students—two girls and four boys—received their acceptance letters. “I can’t believe it,” said junior Maya Hernandez, a senior in the class of 2025, as she hugged her parents. “I always dreamed of doing research on coral reefs, and LSMSA is the best place to start.”

Their names are: Maya Hernandez, 17; Thomas “Tom” Jackson, 16; Elena Alvarez, 16; Marcus “Mack” Johnson, 18; Daniel “Danny” Lee, 17; and Sara Patel, 17. All come from public schools in the parish: St. Patrick, St. Joseph, and the newly opened Westshore Middle School. The six are the first from the parish to make the cut in a cohort that typically receives fewer than a dozen spots each year.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these students,” said Dr. Lillian Boudreaux, the academy’s director. “They have shown a level of curiosity and perseverance that aligns perfectly with LSMSA’s mission. Their presence here will inspire their peers back home.”

A Curriculum That Goes Beyond the Classroom

LSMSA’s curriculum is known for blending rigorous coursework with hands‑on projects that often involve collaboration with local universities and industry partners. This summer, the New Calcasieu students will be working on a marine biology module that partners with the Gulf Coast Science Consortium, studying the health of the nearby Atchafalaya Basin. They’ll also be participating in a robotics workshop in partnership with the Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce.

“The marine biology component is especially relevant to our region,” said Ms. Alvarez. “We’re not just learning in theory; we’re actually going out to the field, sampling water, tracking fish populations, and learning how climate change affects our local ecosystems.”

In addition to STEM subjects, LSMSA requires students to complete a course in the arts. For the New Calcasieu cohort, this will involve a creative writing workshop focusing on environmental storytelling, a partnership with the Lake Charles Arts Center. “It’s an eye‑opening experience,” said Mr. Jackson. “You learn how science and art can coexist and amplify each other.”

Community Support and Future Opportunities

The acceptance of these students has not only been a personal triumph; it’s also a community celebration. Lake Charles Mayor Eric Johnson spoke at the ceremony, stressing the importance of STEM education in building a resilient local economy. “Our region’s future depends on the next generation of innovators,” Johnson said. “These students will be the architects of that future.”

St. Joseph’s principal, Mr. Mark Sweeney, shared that the school has begun incorporating LSMSA study groups into its curriculum to prepare more students for future applications. “We’ve seen the ripple effect of Maya’s excitement,” Sweeney said. “The rest of the class is now more motivated to pursue science.”

For the students, LSMSA offers more than just a summer of learning. The academy provides stipends, housing, and tuition waivers for future academic pursuits. Many participants in the past have leveraged LSMSA to secure scholarships for state universities, and some have already begun applying for research assistantships.

“It’s not just about getting a letter,” said Ms. Patel, whose father works at a local HVAC company. “It’s about building a path, getting mentorship, and knowing that the state supports our dreams.”

Looking Ahead

As the students head to LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, they carry with them the hopes of their families, their teachers, and their entire parish. They’ll return to Lake Charles at the end of the program, armed with a deeper understanding of science, a network of peers, and a story of how determination can break barriers.

The New Calcasieu Parish’s acceptance into LSMSA is more than a single achievement; it signals a growing commitment to STEM education in the region. With support from local schools, businesses, and the state, the parish is poised to become a new hub for nurturing scientific talent. If this cohort’s success can inspire even a handful of additional students to pursue advanced studies, the ripple effect could last well into the next decade.

For more details about LSMSA’s admission process, curriculum, and scholarship opportunities, readers can visit the academy’s official website at https://www.lsmsa.edu.

This article was originally published in The Advocate on June 20, 2024, and is reproduced here with permission. For full coverage, including interview footage and student essays, visit the Advocate’s website.