The Department of Athletics, Health, and Physical Education recently held its inaugural Scholar Athlete of the Year banquet, a new initiative designed to honor exceptional student-athletes. Throughout the week leading up to the event, the department recognized scholar-athletes from elementary to high school on social media.
TJ Pugh, the Administrative Director for the Department of Athletics, Health, and P.E., stated, “This is important to us because our kids don’t receive enough accolades and recognition for balancing academics with athletics. While we sometimes recognize academic achievements and sometimes athletic accomplishments, we often overlook the effort it takes to excel in both.”
Our student-athletes, amid their practices, competition, and studies, have often achieved or are on their way to earning associate degrees and taking challenging Advanced Placement courses. All these elements combined are crucial for them to realize that this is merely the beginning of their journey.
The banquet was hosted by Rudy Macklin, a former LSU basketball player and the current director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. The guest speaker was Byron Starks, the head basketball coach at BRCC and a distinguished former player from the University of Louisiana. He shared valuable insights and inspiration with the attendees.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors: Parish Construction & Roofing, along with Associated Grocers and JOELITE, whose support made this inspiring event possible.
2026 Scholar Athletes of the Year Winners
- Elementary
- Maya Smith – BR Flaim
- Zion Gautier – LaSalle
- Middle School
- Ava-Joi Lowe – Westdale Middle School
- Chase Alexander – McKinley Middle Magnet
- High School
- Eryn Brown – Istrouma
- Nyssiah Ebanks – McKinley High
2026 Scholar Athletes of the Year Finalist
GIRLS
HIGH SCHOOL
Sarai Bethley – Tara High School
Eryn Brown – Istrouma High
Sofia Larenas Bustos – Baton Rouge Magnet High
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Lena Alexander – McKinley Middle Magnet
Marley Benton – Mayfair Laboratory
Ava-Joi Lowe – Westdale Middle
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Chloe Marshall – Magnolia Woods Elementary
Amira McKnight – Shenandoah Elementary
Maya Smith – BR FLAIM
BOYS
HIGH SCHOOL
Nyssiah Ebanks – McKinley High
Tyree Riley – Northeast High School
Harlom Turner – Woodlawn High
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Chase Alexander – McKinley Middle Magnet
Eli Chapman – Mayfair Laboratory
Jaiden Hunter – Westdale Middle
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Malcolm Bardes – BR FLAIM
Jae Edmonson – Shenandoah Elementary
Zion Gautier – LaSalle Elementary
You can find PHOTOS HERE
