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Donation helps students at residential high school in Natchitoches

LSMSA submitted

Louisiana’s residential public high school for high-achieving students has received a donation to create an endowment for student enrichment.

A grandmother of four recent alumni of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts or LSMSA donated $110,000 to build up a fund that helps students go on field trips and do activities off of the Natchitoches campus.

Gueydon Thurber of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, made the gift, according to LSMSA Foundation director Katja Thomakos.

“She recognized that there were some students who might have an opportunity to go to a competition or to a workshop, but their family might not be able to afford the hotel, or the food, or registration fee. So, she wanted to make sure there was money available to help those students,” Thomakos said.

The fund has enabled 19 field trips since it began two years ago, according to Thomakos. LSMSA mathematics teacher Brad Burkman says this fund also helps with school supplies.

“At the beginning of every semester, I have a talk with the students. I look them in the eye and I tell them, some of you are from well-to-do families. Some of you are not. We will take care of you. If you need something, let us know. We can’t help you if you don’t let us know. But, I have students who can’t afford a ruler,” Burkman said, who has been able to use the fund before.

LSMSA is tuition free. But there are fees – about $1,200 a year. Thomakos has seen a sharp rise in the number of families asking for help with fees and costs associated with high school, like college entrance exams.

“It’s $50 to take the ACT or the SAT. We’ve had students who’ve struggled to pay that. The foundation has used the student enrichment fund to make sure that those students can take the test. It’s really critical. These are things that are a small dollar amount, but a really big difference in their experience at the school,” Thomakos said.

The LSMSA Foundation has pledged to cover the fees of all qualified students who can’t afford the costs associated with attending the residential high school, according to Thomakos.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.
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