Louisiana

Southside High junior named 2025 Louisiana Young Hero

Published

1 year ago

April 18, 2025

Southside High junior named 2025 Louisiana Young Hero

LAFAYETTE PARISH — Southside High School junior Jessica Anderson has been named one of six recipients of the 2025 Louisiana Young Heroes Award, an honor recognizing outstanding students across the state who demonstrate resilience, leadership and compassion.

“I was in shock,” Anderson said, reflecting on the moment she learned about the recognition.

Anderson, a junior, was nominated by her principal for her excellence both in and out of the classroom.

“I was scrolling through scholarships and awards — I didn’t think anything of it,” she said. “But being selected, it’s pretty shocking.”

Her journey to Lafayette is as inspiring as her accomplishments. Born in Haiti, Anderson’s life took a dramatic turn after a chance encounter changed everything.

“My adoptive mom went to Haiti on a mission trip, and God told her that’s where she needed to be,” she said.

Unable to care for Anderson and her siblings, her biological father made the difficult decision to place them for adoption.

“My biological father was willing to give us away because he knew he couldn’t provide for us in the way that we needed,” Anderson said.

She was adopted by Megan Boudreaux, founder of Respire Haiti, a nonprofit that provides free meals and education to children on the island.

In 2020, during a visit to the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down airports across Haiti. What was meant to be a temporary trip soon became permanent.

“After they opened the airport, we couldn’t get back to Haiti. Violence kind of exploded, so my parents decided we would stay,” she said.

Adjusting to life in Lafayette came with challenges.

“My freshman year was hard. I didn’t know anyone, and I had a really tough time,” Anderson said.

Over time, she found her footing — joining social clubs, the powerlifting team, serving as a school ambassador and becoming a member of the Mayor-President’s Youth Advisory Council.

“I just enjoy helping people,” she said with a smile.

For Anderson, her experiences have become a source of strength and purpose.

“Using your pain to grow is important,” she said. “And not letting it overpower you.”

The other nominees are Gabrielle “Gabby” Essex of Natchitoches; Mateo Guerrero of Bossier City; Jared Lane of St. Francisville; William Matthews of Baton Rouge; and Ja’Nika Stanley, also of Baton Rouge.

The Young Heroes will be recognized with a special award ceremony on Louisiana Young Heroes Day, Monday, April 28.

Source link

Related Topics:Featured Lafayette Parish

Click to comment

Louisiana

Meta’s Louisiana Data Center to Surpass $250 Billion Price Tag

Published

1 hour ago

July 13, 2026

Press Room

Meta’s Louisiana Data Center to Surpass 0 Billion Price Tag

Meta Platforms Inc. has committed to spending an additional $40 billion on its sprawling data center campus in Louisiana, pushing its total expected investment beyond $250 billion for the site as it continues to grow its artificial intelligence computing footprint.

Source link

Louisiana

DeRidder man found dead in Sabine River

Published

13 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

NEWTON COUNTY, Texas. (KPLC) – A DeRidder man reported missing was found dead in the Sabine River Sunday morning, according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard said Jordan Jamal Allen was located around 7:50 a.m. on July 12 with help from Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, and 409 Search and Rescue.

Authorities say the body was recovered not far from where Allen went under Friday night near the U.S. 190 bridge east of Bon Wier at the Texas-Louisiana state line.

The sheriff said that Allen and a woman were said to be wading across the river Friday when the current began pulling the woman.

The sheriff said Allen tried to help her, but went under around 8:45 p.m. and wasn’t seen again. He said the woman made it back to land safely.

We will have more in this story as it develops.

Source link

Louisiana

Check out the Outdoors calendar for fishing events

Published

23 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

Check out the Outdoors calendar for fishing events

MONDAY

RED STICK FLY FISHERS PROGRAM: 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Regional Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. Open to the public. Email Brian Roberts: roberts.brian84@gmail.com. Website: rsff.org

WEDNESDAY

FLIES & FLIGHTS: 7-9 p.m, Rally Cap Brewing, 11212 Pennywood Ave., Baton Rouge. Casual fly tying. Open to public. Email Chris Williams: thefatfingeredflytyer@gmail.com

THURSDAY

ACADIANA FLY RODDERS PROGRAM: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Open to public. Email Darin Lee: at cbrsandcdc@gmail.com. Website: acadianaflyrodders.org

FRIENDS OF NRA/SOUTHWEST LA BANQUET: 6 p.m., Riverside Bar & Grill, 3748 Louisiana 3059, Lake Charles. Call Brack Cole 337-912-1620. Email: jbcoleair@yahoo.com

ONGOING

STATEWIDE TOURNAMENT & ANGLERS RODEO/S.T.A.R.: Through Sept. 7, Coastal Conservation Association’s summer-long fishing event. Tagged redfish, coastal/offshore species categories & youth division. CCA membership required. Website: ccalouisiana.com/star

LOTTERY HUNTS

DOVE/TEAL: July 27 application deadline for dove hunt on Elbow Slough Wildlife Management Area and teal hunt on White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area. Website applications only on Wildlife & Fisheries/Louisiana Outdoors License, Permits and Tags webpage. Fee $8.50. Details: dove hunt, David Hayden at dhayden@wlf.la.gov; teal hunt, Lance Ardoin at lardoin@wlf.la.gov

AROUND THE CORNER

JULY 21 — LAFAYETTE KAYAK FISHING CLUB MEETING: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Call 337-232-5854. Website: lafayettekayakfishing.com

JULY 21-22 — GULF COUNCIL SHRIMP COMMITTEE MEETING: Gulf Council office, 4107 W. Spruce St., Tampa, Florida. In conjunction with Scientific and Statistical committees. Website: gulfcouncil.org

JULY 23 — ACADIANA BUGS & BREWS: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Casual fly tying and local beers provided. Open to the public. Email Darin Lee: cbrsandcdc@gmail.com. Website: packpaddle.com

JULY 23-25 — International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, Grand Isle Marina & Otto Candies Pavilion, Grand Isle. Website: tarponrodeo.org

JULY 24-25—BASSMASTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Kentucky Lake, Paris, Tennessee. Website: bassmaster.com

JULY 26 — SOUTH LOUISIANA HIGHPOWER CLUB MATCH: 8:30 a.m., Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Range, St. Landry Road, Gonzales. NRA XTC & F-Class match rifle or service rifle, 200-yard/50-rounds match course. Fee $15 members, $20 nonmembers, $5 juniors. $25 annual club (first match free) and Civilian Marksmanship Program membership (allows purchases from CMP). Call Mike Burke, 337-380-8120. Email: SouthLAHighPower@hotmail.com

FISHING/SHRIMPING

SHRIMP: Spring inshore season closed except for Breton/Chandeleur sounds; all outside waters open.

OPEN RECREATIONAL SEASONS: Private recreational red snapper; gray triggerfish; flounder; lane, blackfin, queen and silk snappers and wenchmen among other snapper species; all groupers except closed for goliath and Nassau groupers in state/federal waters.

CLOSED SEASONS: Greater amberjack; bluefin tuna; gag, goliath and Nassau groupers in state/federal waters. Commercial greater amberjack season closed.