SHREVEPORT – Instead of spending the summer buried in their phones and social media, 45 local middle schoolers challenged themselves in subjects not readily offered in school through the LaPrep program at LSU Shreveport.
LaPrep, a seven-week summer program engaging students in topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, celebrated its 45 graduates Thursday in a ceremony.
Twenty students completed both years of the LaPrep program while 25 embarked on their first year with designs on returning for the second summer.
“LaPrep gave me the opportunity to grow, challenge myself and discover new interests,” said second-year graduate Siya Harish in her address to the audience. “Every day, I got to think creatively, solve problems and make connections to real-world situations.
“Through classes like algebraic structures, problem solving, science fiction, geometry and engineering, I’ve realized that learning is not just about knowing the correct answer. It’s about asking questions, trying new approaches and being curious.”
Harish and her peers sharpened their thinking skills in these hands-on classes while also making friends with middle schoolers from schools other than their own.
“What makes LaPrep so special is the people in it,” said first-year graduate Stephanie Saloma.“From the teachers to the program assistants, they push us and help us to reach things we might not have thought were possible.
“It reminds us that success comes from effort and determination.”
In addition to deeper connection to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) topics, participants visited places like the Arsenal Hill Power Plant, LSU Oschner and Sci-Port, speaking with professionals like doctors and engineers.
Six students were lauded for their particular achievement and effort this summer. Stella Dong took top honors among first-year participants followed by peers Mumtahina Huq and Bhavik Kondala. In the second-year group, Huien Chen won the highest award with Iriana Cheng and Shining Qiao also honored.
Featured speaker Kate Pedrotty, director of community investment at Community Foundation of North Louisiana, relayed the motto “adventure is out there” from her husband’s favorite Disney movie “Up.”
“A common tendency that we all share is to desire to stick to what is easy, what is comfortable, what is familiar, instead of doing something where we might possibly get the wrong answer, say the wrong thing, or possibly embarrass ourselves, “Adults have these insecurities and fears just like younger people do – they don’t necessarily go away.
“You’re ahead of the game because LaPrep is one of those adventures out there. You all stepped up and took advantage of it. I’d encourage you to remember that lesson.”
Signup for the 2027 summer session begins around February with students who have completed the sixth or seventh grade filling out an application, writing a short essay, and a recommendation from one of their middle school teachers.
The program is offered at no cost to the student thanks to the generous sponsorship of SWEPCO, The Community Foundation of North Louisiana, the Grayson Foundation, and the LSUS Foundation.
The brainchild of then-LSUS professor Dr. Carlos Spaht, LaPrep offered its first summer program in 1992 and celebrated its 33rd anniversary this summer.
LSUS mathematics assistant professor Dr. Irina Ilioaea reconstituted the program following a brief hiatus when Spaht retired, and she completed her third straight summer where the program facilitated a first- and second-year cohort.
While the underlying structure of LaPrep remains similar, Ilioaea has tinkered with new class offerings such as a more robust engineering presence and a new sports activities class with the help of local professors and educators.
To learn more about LaPrep, visit the program website.
