Enter Episcopal French teacher Julien Prevost’s classroom and you’ll find what you might expect in a French language classroom – flags, photos from visits to France and French mementos. Prevost earned a master’s degree in teaching French from the University of Lorraine in France and completed additional training in London earning a post-graduate certificate in education in French and German from the University of Cumbria. As you might expect, Prevost speaks with a French flair and has a passion for his culture. What you might not expect is his passion and commitment to music.
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Prevost has had a passion for music since he was seven years old and first picked up the cello. He has cultivated his cello talent over the years and even earned a bachelor’s degree in teaching the instrument. Prevost has performed in amateur orchestras in France, London and the United States. He even enjoyed a five year stint in a rock band called “The Spangles.” At Episcopal, Prevost has performed with Knight Train and played cello for the productions of Les Misérables and Evangeline. Once a month he also performs for Upper School students in Chapel.

Music is about so much more than playing notes for Prevost. “It’s like playing a sport or learning a language,” he says. “It requires practice every day, hard work and discipline.” Prevost says numerous life skills can be acquired through the musical experience including patience, perseverance and time management. He says musicians also develop the confidence needed to perform and a sense of commitment to being part of an ensemble. Prevost began his teaching career as a cello teacher in France and he enjoyed the opportunity to impart these lessons to his students. However, he eventually felt the need for a new adventure and thus began his French language teaching career.
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As a French teacher Prevost thought he would have more opportunities for travel. He gained the opportunity to travel and so much more. While in London Prevost met Allison, an American originally from the Lafayette area. Louisiana’s French influence made it easy for Prevost to relocate to the Bayou State to join her. Now years later, Prevost and Allison have made a life together and are raising their son, Charles, in a bilingual home. Prevost says young Charles already loves music and he enjoys sharing it with him.

What music does Prevost listen to in his own car? “Classical,” he says. After pausing he adds that he also listens to rock, rap and a variety of French and American artists. He is even familiar with Louisiana’s Cajun music. Prevost says he doesn’t like to put barriers on the music he enjoys and is open to a range of genres. This classical performer says he’s also open to playing a variety of music from jazz to rock.

Being open to new adventures and new experiences has helped Prevost create a life he couldn’t imagine when he first began playing cello all those years ago in Nancy, France. He has followed his passion and continues to make beautiful music in the process.

While the fall means “Back to School” for many families, some of you are also beginning to think about the next school year as you prepare to take the next step of enrolling your young child in a preschool program. While a child’s age and birthdate are important factors to consider, these are not absolute benchmarks in determining a child’s readiness to begin school. Being prepared for preschool has more to do with where your child is developmentally. Is he/she socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively ready to participate in a daily, structured, educational program with a group of other children? Ask yourself these questions as you consider if your child is fully equipped with the set of skills they need to have a successful preschool experience.

Is your child fairly independent?
Preschool requires children to have certain basic skills. Most schools will require your child to be fully potty-trained when they start school.  Also, begin practicing tasks that require fine motor strength, such as zipping and buttoning pants, zipping up backpacks and hanging them on a hook, rolling up a nap mat, pulling a sweater on an off, hand washing, and eating independently using napkins and utensils. Practicing these skills at home will make your child’s start to school less frustrating and help them build fine motor skills that will help them later as they learn to cut and write.

Can your child participate in group activities?
Many activities in preschool require students to sit in a group setting for a period of time. Is your child able to sit and listen to a story? Do they take turns and listen when others are speaking? If your child isn't used to group activities, you can start introducing them yourself. Take him/her to story time at your local library, or sign them up for a recreational activity such as dance or soccer to help your child get used to playing with other children.

Does your child have good communication skills?
In preschool, it is important for your child to be able to communicate their needs to their teachers and peers. At home, you may find it easy to step in and give your child what he/she needs before they even ask. At school, your child will be around adults who may not know your child as well as you do. It is important to have your child practice these critical communication skills before they start school. For example, if your child hands you a milk carton, have them practice asking, “Could you please help me open my milk?” Role play with your child and give them scenarios that they might encounter at school. How would your child handle a situation where another child wasn’t sharing? Often, children with poor communication skills will revert to hitting or grabbing toys from other students.  By practicing these conflicts ahead of time, students will be armed with the skills and language necessary to problem-solve with their peers.

Is your child used to keeping a regular schedule?
Preschool programs follow a predictable schedule. There are times set aside for play, eating, and even resting. There's a good reason for this. Children tend to feel most comfortable and in control when the same things happen at the same time each day. Students who do not follow a schedule at home will often have trouble during transitional times between activities at school. Help your child prepare for their school routine by adhering to a schedule at home. Plan meals  at determined times and have predictable activities throughout the day. Set a bedtime routine (bath, brush teeth, story time, lights out). Giving your child structure at home will help them adjust to a school schedule.
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The best way to decide if your child is ready to begin preschool is to spend time thinking about your child and to talk to other people who know him/her well, such as your partner, your pediatrician, or others who spend a lot of time with your child. While there is no checklist to give a quantitative score of readiness, there are many ways you can work with your child at home to make their transition into school as smooth as possible.

Are you ready to apply?
If you have considered the above questions and determined that your child is prepared to begin the next phase in their educational journey, we are ready to help you navigate the school admissions process. Visit https://www.episcopalbr.org/admission.html to schedule a tour of our campus, view the 2020-2021 application, or get in contact with a member of our Admissions team.

​Between chemistry classes, a campus job, football and four hours of research a week, Episcopal graduate Scott Wicker, Jr. ’18 has a full schedule. Wicker is in his sophomore year at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN where he is majoring in chemistry with a minor in math. He plans to pursue advanced degrees on his path to becoming a chemical engineer.

At Episcopal, Wicker was known for his ​ESTAAR research entitled Non-Traditional Heating Methods for Petrochemical Manufacturing. However, Episcopal Dean of Academics Dr. Sara Fenske says Wicker’s interest in research began well in advance of his ESTAAR journey. “Before ever taking any of my classes, Scott would drop by my classroom to ask questions,” says Dr. Fenske. “I soon learned that these ‘out of the blue’ questions came from his deep curiosity about the world around him. This curiosity led Scott to pursue ambitious research projects both in my class, where he studied the effects of antioxidants on quantum dots, to his ESTAAR project focused on the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles.” Dr. Fenske says that Wicker was never afraid to push himself to do more. “Fortunately, he also has the talent and creativity to succeed in these ambitions,” she says. After spending countless hours in the lab, Wicker was one of only 230 high school students to qualify to present at the 56th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

​Admission into the ACCESS program is based on a student’s essay, an online application and letters of recommendation from professors regarding their work. As a result of his ESTAAR experience, Wicker had an opportunity to work closely with Dr. Fenske and LSU’s Dr. James Dorman. Both were able to write letters supporting his research and application. “When Scott told me that he was applying to the MIT ACCESS Program and asked if I would write a letter of recommendation for him, I was thrilled to do so,” says Dr. Fenske. “This program targets talented young researchers and helps to prepare them for graduate programs in chemistry, chemical engineering, and material science. Like attending the National Junior Science and Humanities program, I knew that this opportunity would open doors for him and help him see the different paths available to him. Programs like these are meant for rising stars like Scott, and I am sure that his future in research will be bright.”

​At Rhodes, Wicker continues his commitment to research. Over the summer, when he wasn’t working on his ACCESS program application, he was in the lab. In fact, he spent eight hours a day assisting inorganic chemistry professor Dr. William Eckenhoff. According to the research group’s website, Dr. Eckenhoff’s lab currently has three research projects underway including Proton Reduction Catalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis, Solvatochromic Molybdenum Complexes and Zinc Complexes to Mimic the Enzyme in Binding Anti-Microbial Compounds. You can read more about the projects here. As part of the research team, Wicker runs experiments and gathers data. He also works closely with Dr. Eckenhoff to analyze the information and the results. Wicker hopes to publish an article from his summer research by the end of this year.

Even with everything else on his schedule, Wicker finds time for football. He spends 20 hours a week practicing and working out with the Linx as a defensive lineman. He says playing for a Division III team means that football is not his entire life, which is something for which he is grateful. As a result, he is able to manage college life, athletics and academics successfully. ​
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Wicker is no stranger to juggling multiple interests. While at Episcopal, he was involved in athletics, research and numerous academic endeavors. One hallmark of an Episcopal education is the opportunity students are provided to explore their own interests and learn at their own pace. Whether students are passionate about research and the arts or athletics and spirituality, there are a range of experiences from which students can choose. While Wicker says it’s not always easy juggling a packed schedule, it is certainly worth it. Like he did during his time at Episcopal, he is making the most of his college experience and enjoying it along the way.
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Good luck in your journey, Scott! Episcopal is cheering you on in the classroom, the lab and on the field.

During the hectic first weeks of school, Episcopal Lower School families generously donated school supplies for partner school Melrose Elementary. It’s a tradition that’s been ongoing for at least seven years. It goes hand-in-hand with what the fifth graders are learning in Religion class.

The students are learning about how and why we serve others. By reading Scripture and discussing the parable of the Good Samaritan, they made the connection that by serving others, in this case, donating school supplies to students who need them, they’re loving others - and that’s the greatest lesson of all. 
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On Friday, August 30, the twelve students in my first-quarter fifth grade Religion class loaded all of the boxes of donated supplies onto a school bus for a special in-person delivery. 

​“We loaded so many boxes of paper, markers, notebooks, binders, glue, scissors, pencils, backpacks, crayons, markers, and more!” exclaimed fifth grader Natalie Reimann. “We realized that our school families had donated tons of school supplies. It almost filled up half of the bus!” 

Once they arrived at Melrose, the students met with Principal Olga Pack, ELA Content Leader Bianca Plummer, Counselor Seana Mercer, Math Content Leader Florence Bonton, Instructional Specialist Shanika Griffin, and Assistant Principal Brandi Brister. After delivering supplies to the auditorium of the school, the fifth graders were excited to go on a tour of Melrose. 

The students were also excited to learn that Melrose has a theme every year just like Episcopal. The theme this year is “Every student glows!” Fifth grader Lilliana Latour reflected upon the experience: “As we got back on the bus to go back to Episcopal, we felt a glowing happiness that we did something wonderful. We were so glad to be part of the experience.”
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“This experience warmed our hearts because we did something good for the community,” said fifth grader Tripp Veillon.

After an exciting weekend of fall sports here are the results.

• The cross country athletes won all four divisions at the West Feliciana Relays! This includes the Middle School girls and boys and the Upper School girls and boys. The Middle School boys team broke the course record by 1:04! What a great way to start the season!
• The football Knights won their home opener against St. Michaels!
• Six members of the varsity swimming team competed in the first-ever LHSCA All Star Swim Meet and four of the six swimmers placed in the top eight in the state! Three of the swimmers placed in the top three in the state!
• ​Volleyball hosted a successful tournament with many schools from across the area participating. The Knights fought hard and had a great showing.

The Episcopal cross country team is ready for competition. The group has been working out since June in preparation for the upcoming season which gets underway Saturday, September 7th at 7 am with the West Feliciana Relays. The Knights are coming off of another big year after they brought home state titles in both the boys and girls division last year. Head Coach Claney Duplechin says after several seniors graduated in May, other athletes will have an opportunity to shine. So far that is exactly what they are doing as Coach Dupe says the students are making the most of the opportunity and practices have been quite productive. “Now is their time,” says Coach Dupe. “If practices are any indication, I’ll be very pleased this season,” he says.  

As the team works toward another state title, Coach Dupe is as enthusiastic as ever. “My first year in cross country I fell in love with the kids,” he says. “It’s rewarding. I maybe making a difference in their lives, but they’re making a difference in mine. They keep me young and healthy.”
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This year’s distance runners are led by seniors James Christian and Ella Kimbrough. Coach Dupe is joined by assistant coaches Amy Claire Whitehurst, Clayton Counts, John Harris and Alison Seals. As he looks to the future, Coach Dupe says the program is positioned well with several talented Middle School runners. He says there is even a chance that members of the Middle School boys and girls teams may run with the varsity squad this season. To see upcoming cross country dates click here.

Knights fans have five opportunities to catch the football team in action at home this year. That first opportunity is set for tonight versus St. Michael. In addition to the home field contests, Head Coach Travis Bourgeois hopes Knights fans will travel with the team and take in a few away games. “This is the biggest senior/junior class combination in a long time,” says Bourgeois. He says the team’s experience will give them some depth that will no doubt be a factor in games down the road. “Competition will bring out the best in the team,” he says.

When the Knights take the field, they will be led by senior captains Ethan Amedee, Kolin Bilbrew, Lane Grisby and Griff Strain. Fans can also expect senior leaders Jamieson Bell and Alex Wilson to be factors in the game.

Bourgeois says the Knights are in a good position going forward with 22 eighth grade players who are playing well and having a positive Middle School football experience. This bodes well for the program’s future. Bourgeois says his coaching staff including Bill Jones, Charlie O’Brien, Wally Stevens and Jimmy Williams are another key to the program’s success. “We have different strengths and philosophies,” he says. “We feed off of each other.”
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The Knights certainly feed off of crowd support, so don’t miss your opportunity to cheer them on this season. Mark your calendar for the following important contests:
Friday, September 6th St. Michael
Friday, September 13th St. Thomas Aquinas
Friday, October 4th Catholic Pointe Coupee Homecoming Game
Thursday, October 17th at Dunham
Friday, October 25th Northeast
Friday, November 8th Port Allen Senior Knight

Episcopal begins the swimming season with a new head coach. Kate Cramer returns to the Knights after previously coaching the swim team from 2007 to 2010. Kate describes herself as high energy. She can often be found on the deck whistling and coaching the students on their strokes. She says as a coach she uses a lot of speed training and interval and aerobics training to help swimmers build their endurance and boost their speed. Her goal is simple. “We want to qualify as many swimmers as we can and the rest will take care of itself,” she says.

This year’s team hopes to build on their third place finish in last year’s state championship meet. The group will be led by seniors Maia Adams, Sara Be, Valerie Beggs, Nick Johannessen and Megan Nguyen.
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Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the Episcopal swimmers in action this season. Click here for upcoming swimming dates. The team enters the pool for competition for the first time on Saturday, September 7th at the LHSCA All Star Swim Meet in Lutcher. All lanes will lead to the varsity swimming city championship finals on Sunday, November 3rd at Crawfish Aquatics. City championship preliminaries will take place Saturday, November 2nd. Athletes will cap off the year at the varsity swimming state championship meet on Thursday, November 21st in Sulphur.

There is excitement in Head Coach Madeline Gugich’s voice as she discusses the upcoming volleyball season. “We’re a young team,” she says of her squad that includes four seniors. “Our bench is engaged and our kids have found a love of the game.” That love of the game is evident from the support that team members provide each other as they enter or exit the court. “We have nothing to fear,” says Gugich. She expects the team to have a few good losses in which they gain experience and learn to respond to the tempo of the game. She also expects the team to give area competitors a run for their money.
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This year’s team is led by seniors Grace Cullens, Makenzie Daughtery, Celia Kiesel and Halle Roman. The group will serve up their first game during the annual Episcopal Invitational on Saturday, September 7th. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the team in action. Click here to see upcoming volleyball dates. September home contests include games against McKinley, Woodlawn, Walker and Denham Springs. In October, Port Allen, Dunham, Capital and Northeast come to Woodland Ridge for district games.

In addition to the Upper School action underway, Knights fans don’t want to miss the Lower and Middle School excitement. Members of the fifth/sixth grade flag football and seventh/eighth grade football teams are preparing for the season with regular practice. The sixth grade and seventh/eighth grade softball teams and sixth through eighth grade swimming teams are also gearing up. Click here to view the Middle School sports calendar.
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All fall sports participants, including cross country, swimming, Middle School softball, football and flag football, will be recognized at this Friday’s football home opener. We hope to see you there. Go Knights!