Graduation 2023

Seniors who have attended ESA every year since Pre-Kindergarten 3:

The Class of 2023 has two legacy graduates, and these additions to the alumni body will bring the total number of ESA legacy graduates to 36.

ESA recognizes notable individual academic achievement at the conclusion of each marking period with the Honor Roll, Dean’s List, and Headmaster’s List.

To earn a place on the year-end Honor Roll, a student must earn a final grade of at least a B (not a B-) in every course attempted.

To be named to the year-end Dean’s List, a student must earn at least a 4.00 GPA for the year and earn a final grade of at least a B in every course attempted. 

To be named to the year-end Headmaster’s List, a student must earn at least a 4.20 GPA for the year and earn a final grade of at least a B (not a B-) in every course attempted. 

Founded in 1957, Mu Alpha Theta is dedicated to inspiring students' interest in mathematics, developing strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics in secondary schools. The Mu Alpha Theta chapter at ESA recognizes and encourages students who excel in mathematics and foster their further exploration of the subject.  To be eligible for membership in Mu Alpha Theta, students must have completed or be enrolled in Algebra II and must have reached a minimum cumulative threshold GPA in their mathematics courses, corresponding to their academic year at ESA.  The minimum cumulative threshold GPAs are as follows:  4.0 for freshmen, 3.8 for sophomores, and 3.6 for juniors.  The following members of the Class of 2023 are members of Mu Alpha Theta:

“The Seal of Biliteracy promotes linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in one or more languages in addition to English and provides recognition of the attainment of these skills. It encourages students to study languages, provides employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills, provides universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission, strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community and continues and renews Louisiana's historical tradition of bilingualism.” (https://theglobalseal.com/louisiana-seal-of-biliteracy) ESA began recognizing graduates with this distinction in 2022. 

Founded in 1906 to recognize exceptional scholastic achievement in secondary schools, the Cum Laude Society is modeled after the Phi Beta Kappa Society that recognizes academic excellence at the college level. A student must have at least a 4.00 cumulative GPA to be considered for induction and membership cannot exceed 20% of a graduating class. These students are graduating with highest academic honors. 

Each September, about 50,000 seniors who earn the highest scores on the PSAT are notified of their advancement in the National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 of these students receive Letter of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. One student at ESA achieved this honor. 

16,000 students are named National Merit Semi-Finalists. Based on their application and academic record, they are considered for Finalist standing. One member of the Class of 2023 received this recognition. We are extremely proud to announce that he has been named a National Merit Scholar and received scholarships for his achievement. 

On May 12, senior upper school course awards were presented. Course awards recognize a student whose achievement and/or effort during that course is exemplary. 

Calculus ………………………………….……………………..Max Theriot

Statistics………….…………………………………………….Elena Alvarado

Civics……………………………….…………………….……..Claire Garber and Christian Schwarz

AP US Government………………………………….…..Spencer McNeely and Cole Littlefield

AP Macroeconomics…………………….………..…… Charles Blem

Physics………………………………………………………….Morgan Williams

Anatomy & Physiology………………………….………Andy Hebert

AP Chemistry………………………………………..……..Irene Kaiser

AP Computer Science………………………….…..….Lucia Weiner

Environmental Science………………………………..Elena Alvarado

Music……………………………………….………………….Harrison Suire

On May 12, the recipients of the 2023 Department Awards were announced. Recipients of this award have distinguished themselves through an extraordinary body of work and a demonstrated passion for the subject matter over multiple courses in a given discipline during their upper school studies. 

Yearbook……………………………………………….……..……..….Irene Kaiser & Morgan Williams

Theatre………………………………………..………..……………….Maryn Roberts

Music…………………………………………..………………………...Josh Mendoza

Senior Art Exhibition…………………..…………………………..Lilly LaFleur

Literature…………………………………….………………………….Lilly LaFleur

Mathematics…………………………………………………..………Luke Huffman

Social Studies…………………………………………..……………..Peter Menard

Science…………………………………………..…..…………………..Irene Kaiser

Sidney Hebert Award………………………………………………Ian Allam, Greer Hernandez, Irene Kaiser

Graduation Awards

Each year at awards ceremonies, we recognize members of the student body who have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, or with their citizenship. As department awards recognize a body of work in an academic discipline or the athletic program, the following awards recognize students for their continued exemplary citizenship and commitment to the ideals of ESA while in the upper school. 

Each year the American Patriotism Award is presented to a young man and a young woman who exhibit the highest level of loyalty to ESA and who, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the outstanding qualities of good citizenship, love for God and for fellow man, and love for freedom and for our country. Winners of the Patriotism Award are chosen by a vote of the faculty.

This award is named in honor of The Right Reverend Willis R. Henton, first Bishop of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, Chaplain Emeritus of Episcopal School of Acadiana, and his wife, Martha - friendly souls who made it their lives’ vocation to love their fellow man. The Bishop and Mrs. Henton Award is presented at graduation to a member of the senior class who exemplifies the fundamental virtues of care, love, and service to the ESA family and the greater community as did the Bishop and Mrs. Henton.

A Faculty Award is given to a student in the graduating class whose accomplishments and impact on our school are so outstanding that they warrant special recognition. They are not given every year. 

The Tom Olverson Award is awarded at commencement to a member of the graduating class by a vote of the faculty. Named for Thomas P. Olverson, the first Assistant Headmaster of ESA, the award is given to a student who has a strong commitment to academics. This specifically does not mean a student who excels in achievement by being on the Honor Roll or Headmaster’s List consistently. Rather, the award recognizes a student who works hard at taking advantage of the opportunity available at ESA and makes an awardable effort. 

At commencement each year, Episcopal School of Acadiana recognizes the graduating senior with the highest cumulative GPA with the Bishop’s Medal.

The Headmaster’s Award is given to a student who has made an outstanding contribution to the school; who takes responsibility for the community or some aspect of community life; and who voluntarily, with care and concern, gives consistently, effectively and positively to help build the community.  The closest synonym is probably leadership. The award also includes the criterion of strong academic leadership.