MY SUNNY FUNNY VALENTINE’S

by HEATHER LAND

Make the most of every sweet minute with your Valentines. Keep it simple, yet intentional. Create a sweet setup where thoughtful and spontaneous collide. Table with a view… simple linens dress it up, a snip of rosemary, love letters waiting. Powdered donuts served on a pedestal with homemade lattes or pink milk for dipping. Make whatever you serve feel special with the dishes you serve it on. This setup can be thrown together and waiting when they walk down the stairs - PJs encouraged.

I was born on Valentine’s Day 1979. Like any birthday shared with a commercial holiday, it has always been easy to go unnoticed. My mom always had a way of making sure it felt extra special, regardless. At 43, it is now my pleasure to serve my own Sunny Funny Valentines - a gift in itself.

Seems like the pace of the world urges us to lean on the ready-made availability of all things this holiday or that with the demise of convenience. In truth, there is a greater price to be paid for convenience. Not only might you have to fight the crowd last minute, you lose the satisfaction of the actual act of creating and presenting, no matter how meager or extravagant your effort.

In the time it would take to drive to a store, you could create this setup anywhere you like with mixed linens and dishes. Cut out a few hearts from scrap paper - newspaper, looseleaf, you name it - and hang them above. Hand write XOXOXOa love letter, as short and as sweet or as syrupy and long as you please, as long as it is from the heart. From homemade pancakes to cereal served with a silver spoon, presentation is where it is at. Here, I served a stack of powdered donuts on a pedestal and added a bit of cherry juice to make even the milk extra special for today. Pull up a chair and relish in the moments with your person or your people. Slow down the morning to a sugary sweet pace. Let them know with your uninterrupted presence alone how much they mean to you. At 12 and 14, our girls still enjoy our company and love mornings where Dad is home to share coffee. Do not take it for granted - time is fleeting, but we are never too old to be made to simply feel special. Cheers to a Day O’ Love | XOXOXOXOXOXO

YOU’RE GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MEDICAL Spa’s specials this month! Special Botox, Juvederm and Geneo pricing will be available during our week-long Galentine’s Event, February 14-18, 2022. Botox appointments will be available the entire week for the special price of $10/unit. Juvederm appointments are available as well. If you purchase a syringe of Juvederm, you’ll receive $50 off! Our Geneo facials will also be available at special pricing: buy one facial, get the second 50% off. Now is the perfect time to experience that Geneo Glow that everyone talks about. Purchases made during Galentine’s Week will be entered for a drawing for an ELASTIderm eye cream and NuCil eyelash serum ($235 value).

The eye area can be one of the first areas to show signs of aging. The skin is thinner, less elastic, and lacks much of a support structure under the eyes which is why this area tends to wrinkle quicker. Not only are the eyes “ windows to the soul,” but they can exhibit whether we are youthful, happy, or tired, through dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. Not to mention, our eyes have been the main facial feature seen by most since masking has become the norm over the past two years. So, how do you care for your eyes, and can you prevent early signs of aging? We suggest a combination approach--utilizing treatments and products. Radiofrequency (RF) treatments can help stimulate collagen production around the eyes, improving texture and fine lines, while Botox injections can help improve the appearance of crow’s feet and even prevent them as well! Investing in good eye cream can help protect your investment, whether injections or RF treatments. We have eye creams that are preventative and corrective available for purchase and even an eyelash serum to support fuller, denser, more voluminous lashes!

AOX Eye Gel: Serum-in-a-gel that contains Vitamin C, phloretin, ferulic acid, and a blend of botanicals help to protect the eye from environmental damage and premature signs of aging. The gel improves the appearance of puffiness, fatigue and under-eye circles. AOX is a great preventative product to add to your daily routine.

A.G.E Eye Complex: Eye cream containing blueberry extract, proxylane (restores water and nutrients to the skin), and peptides help to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, dark circles, and puffiness. The cream also contains optical diffuse light which immediately enhances radiance around the eyes.

ELASTIderm Eye Cream: Cream containing bi-mineral complex to promote the development of elastin and create a smoother look around the eyes.

You’ve found your one-stop-shop for a smooth body from head to toe! We offer treatments with NuEra Tight and Splendor X by Lumenis.

NuEra Tight is a non-invasive body tightening treatment using radiofrequency that heats the tissue to stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen. By increasing collagen production, the tissues tighten and smooth resulting in a decrease in fine lines and improvement of texture. This treatment is designed to smooth & uplift skin while reducing the appearance of cellulite. The treatment can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, with no downtime required.

Splendor X is laser hair removal for all skin types. Splendor X is powered by BLEND X technology, utilizing the ND: YAG and Alexandrite lasers. This technology offers unprecedented power, speed, versatility, and coverage rate. Treatments are fast and comfortable with the cryo-cooling system and require no downtime.

Both treatments with NuEra Tight and Splendor X are completed in a series, so now is the best time to start getting ready for the summer shorts and bathing suit season!

Be sure to come by The Medical Spa this month to take advantage of our specials, events, and to find out more about the medical-grade skincare products offered here! We are in the James R. Wolff Building (also known as the P&S Building) in downtown Monroe. Our address is 312 Grammont Street Suite 406, across from St. Francis Medical Center. Also, be certain to follow us on St. Francis Medical Center Facebook page and Instagram so you can be up to date on all the new and exciting things happening here at The Medical Spa.

THE MISSION OF NEVILLE JUNIOR High School is to provide a safe place where all students can achieve their academic potential. The school’s motto, Excellence from ALL, Excellence for ALL, is truly what the school is all about. Neville Junior High School has many talented leaders and teachers paving the way for the next generation of young doctors, business owners and great members of society. Making the community a better place for families and children to grow up and be successful.

Among these great students, teachers and leaders are a few that stood out this year. Kaitlyn Bullock, Neville Junior High’s para-professional of the year, Coach John Navarro, Neville Junior Highs Teacher of the Year and MCS Middle School Teacher of the Year and Davis Shelby, Neville Junior High’s Student of the Year and MCS Middle School Student of the Year.

Ashley Ellis took over as Principal of Neville Junier HIgh in August and has done an incredible job. Ashley has been an educator for 19 years and has worked on all levels of education from elementary, middle school, high school, district and state levels. When asked about her vision for Neville Junior High, Ashley says it is really quite simple. “We want to provide a place where kids want to come to school everyday; where they feel safe and welcome,” she said. “We want to create an environment where they want to be, showing them that school is enjoyable and an impactful place for their future.”

of the Year: In the spring of 2021, I started working at Neville Jr High and it has been one of the best experiences! Ten years ago, I walked the halls of NJH and now, I get to help educate kids here - once a tiger, always a tiger! My tiger blood runs deep. I served as NJH dance line team captain in 2012 and cheered for three years at Neville High School. My grandmother is the principal’s secretary at NHS and my aunt is the school counselor at NJH. It’s truly a family affair! Through my position as a Para-Professional, I’ve had the opportunity of getting to know countless students, and I am looking forward to seeing all the amazing things they accomplish in the future. On top of spending my days at NJH, I am also a full-time student at the University of Louisiana Monroe working on my psychology degree. My ultimate goal is to become a school psychologist and being able to work one-on-one with students daily has helped me realize that dream. The relationships that I’ve built with both students and those around the building have been highly rewarding. It has also made me realize how much effort goes into just one student’s education. There are so many moving parts that go into education, and knowing that I get to take part in that is such an honor!

the Year: Coach John Navarro has been an educator for over eleven years, teaching in multiple districts across the state. In addition, he has been teaching science at Neville Junior High School for six years. Coach Navarro is the Athletic Director at Neville Junior High and oversees all sports programs. He also serves as the Head Football coach. Originally from Tallulah, he has called Monroe home for many years. Coach Navarro attended Grambling State University on a baseball scholarship. He finished his education at the University of Louisiana Monroe, obtaining a Bachelor of General Studies in 2010 and a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2012. Coach Navarro followed in the footsteps of his mother, who was an educator for 30 years. He is passionate about teaching, preparing young minds for adulthood, and building relationships with his students.

Davis Shelby is an eighth grader at Neville Junior High School. He is the son of Stewart and Rachel Shelby of Monroe, LA. He has an older brother, Mason, who is a junior at Neville High School. Davis is a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and is an active member of their youth program. He also plays football and baseball for Neville Junior High and is a contributor to the Neville Tiger Network. Davis enjoys hunting, fishing and playing pick-up games with his friends.

Davis truly has a heart for service. He helped his father, brother and church family clean up and repair multiple neighborhoods after the tragic Easter tornado and hurricanes over the past couple of years. He also served on a mission trip to Sunflower, MS to help rebuild people’s homes after devastating flooding. Davis can commonly be seen in certain elderly church member’s yards doing yard work and chores for those who need it. Davis’s dream is to become a professional sports broadcaster. His personal goal is to be able to do play by play for a NFL or MLB game one day and make it a career. He wants to share his love of sports with others and get to travel the country and possibly the world to cover significant events. He believes that if he stays focused, works hard and puts trust in the values his faith, family and experiences have given him that he will be able to accomplish anything he sets his mind to in life.

The school is located on 19th Street in the heart of Monroe and serves 7th grade and 8th grade students. Call us today with any questions you may have about the school (318) 323-1143.

IT’S SHINDIG TIME AGAIN. OUACHITA COUNCIL ON AGING is promoting our biggest fundraiser, Friday March 25, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. This has been a very challenging time for the community and the world, due to the pandemic, and it has been two years since we have been able to have this fundraiser, and everyone is looking forward to some sense of normalcy. “We’re back, fully vaccinated and masked up.”

The fundraiser is held at MBH Farm, owned by Mary Beth and Dr. Herschel Harter in western Ouachita Parish. Lisa Spann and Company will entertain the crowd with dance music including a variety of genre of music from rhythm and blues to country to rock ‘n roll. Lisa is well known in the community and has performed at numerous other events. Catering for the event will be provided by Catfish Charlie’s, offering a delicious spread of catfish, chicken, and all the trimmings! You don’t want to miss out on a night of delicious food, great friends, spectacular entertainment, and a “Live Auction with great items.” Tommy Jackson will be the auctioneer for the live event.

Ouachita Council on Aging’s recently elected Executive Director, Loretta Hudson, invites everyone to come and enjoy a night of “great food, good friends, and a fabulous entertainment.” It is safe to say that this event has become the “Social Event of the Year.” It is only fitting that this Shindig will be honoring the former Executive Director, Lynda McGehee, for her 32 years of commitment and service to the Ouachita Council on Aging and the community. This event is held at the beautiful barn at MBH Farm decorated in a rustic style, surrounding by breathtaking landscape and magnificent horses, which includes the spectacular resident Clydesdales.

The Ouachita Council on Aging was established by charter in June 1967, thus recently celebrated its 53rd year of serving seniors. In 1980, OCA was also designated as the Area Agency on Aging for Ouachita Parish. Currently, OCA has established 11 dining and activity sites throughout the area and 15 Meals on Wheels routes which cover the entire parish. Additionally, OCA contracts for services with West Ouachita Senior Center in West Monroe and SCORE (Senior Citizens OutReach Entity) in Richwood. Your support will help assist over 22 programs available for seniors in Ouachita Parish, including, Congregate Meals, with 11 Satellite meal sites in the Ouachita Parish, the Meals on Wheels Program and Non-Emergency Transportation.

While federal and state funding is provided to the Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act, funding falls short of meeting the needs of the ever-growing senior population. Other sources of funding include United Way, the City of Monroe’s Community Development Block Grant, the City of West Monroe, program participant contributions, and donations from concerned citizens and groups in the community. Local sources make up 37% of the total operating budget, with Shindig revenue being a large part of that percentage.

Billy Justice, Sales Manager for Vantage Health Plan, says, “Vantage is proud to be the premier sponsor of this fundraising event for Ouachita Council on Aging. I’ve seen first-hand how the Council operates and how they utilize their funding. The Shindig is their main source for raising additional dollars to fill the budget gaps and meet the needs of our seniors.”

When OCA first started, they served only 80 persons on the Meals on Wheels Program. Currently, noon meals are provided, Monday thru Friday, to approximately 400 homebound seniors, age 60 and over. We serve meals to another 450 older individuals at our 11 dining sites each day. Monday thru Friday, vans from OCA transport dozens of elderly to doctor appointments and life-saving dialysis and cancer treatment centers. “The community has dealt with the pandemic for the last year or more and this has been a very challenging time. It is imperative now that we have the continued support of donations by the community,” stated Executive Director, Loretta Hudson. We are fortunate to have a community that has a longstanding history of compassion and generosity. It would not be possible to continue our current level of services without donations from local businesses and individuals, and we are always grateful for their continued support.

Tickets for the Shindig are now available at the Ouachita Council on Aging office located at 2407 Ferrand Street, Monroe, LA, or by calling at (318) 387-0535. For information about the Ouachita Council on Aging and its services, visit their website at www.ouachitacoa.com or Ouachita Council on Aging, AAA and Ouachita Council on Aging, Inc., Facebook page. If you cannot attend the Shindig, but would like to make a donation to OCA, go to the website and click on the “Make a Donation” button.

BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT BRAND MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

CRAFTING SOMETHING THAT ENDURES FOR OVER 150 years takes time and character. You’ll find plenty of both in the people and history that make Jack Daniel’s. Jack Daniel’s Distillery was established in 1866 and was the first registered distillery in the U.S. Jasper Newton Daniel, also known as Jack, is the mastermind behind the Old No. 7 taste that is so popular. By 1904, Jack’s infamous whiskey had earned a gold medal at the World’s Fair. The secret to Jack’s awardwinning flavor is limestone spring water, which is the resource used today at the Lynchburg, TN location. His original recipe, which remains unchanged, also includes just the right amount of corn, rye, and barley.

It all started when Jack ran away from home after his mother and father had both died. Prior to his death, Jack’s father remarried, but Jack despised his stepmother and was taken in by a local preacher named Dan Call. He began learning the distilling trade from Call and his Master Distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved African-American man. Green continued to work with Call after emancipation. In 1875 Jack founded a registered distilling business with Call using money from his late father’s estate. Shortly thereafter, Call quit the business due to religious reasons, and Jack took over ownership.

In 1884, Jack Daniel purchased the land where the distillery is located today. He ran it until 1907, when he gave the distillery to his nephew, Lemuel “Lew” Motlow, since he never married or had children. Motlow operated the distillery for 40 years. In 1910, he challenged the law in a case that went to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Since a statewide prohibition was passed in 1910, the legal distillation of Jack Daniel’s in Tennessee was not allowed. After several years of repeals and changes to the law, the distillery was finally up and running for business in 1947.

While it is now legal to distill whiskey in Tennessee, the distillery is located in a dry county. This means that while the product can legally be produced, it cannot legally be sold. However, there is one exception, which is that Jack Daniel’s can sell one commemorative product. You can purchase Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, or Old No. 7 at the distillery’s bottle shop.

In addition to their world-renowned lineup of whiskeys, Jack Daniels now offers a variety of ready to drink cocktail options. Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite Jack Daniel’s beverage in 10 convenient ounces. Inspired by over 150 years of premium craft tradition, Country Cocktails are a refreshing new take on classic Jack flavors.

With 7 unique offerings, there’s a flavor for every taste and every occasion. And you can’t beat the convenience. There’s no mixing, no muddling, no ice and, best of all, no waiting around. Just pop the cap and enjoy a fresh take on your favorite whiskey.

Downhome Punch is a masterful flavor combination of classic Jack Daniels with a sweet and sour punch. The sweet tastes of peach, cherry, and orange are blended to create a tasty beverage worthy of Southern hospitality.

This summer drink sings Southern Style peach flavor, combining fruit flavor with a hint of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Add a tasty, refreshing drink to your next get-together with this Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails Black Jack Cola. It combines the classic taste of the soft drink and the famous Jack Daniel’s whiskey, with a lemon-lime twist.

The refreshingly sweet taste of this hard lemonade is a tasty treat, sure to satisfy your taste buds during the hot summer months and beyond.

Watermelon, a classic summertime favorite, meets the flavor of Jack Daniels whiskey in this sweet, refreshing beverage. Without all the seeds, this fruity blend combines melon liqueur and grenadine with smooth, classic whiskey.

Berry Punch is the only flavored malt beverage today that combines natural citrus fruit flavors with a slight flavor of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey to create a refreshing concoction with just a hint of Jack Daniel’s attitude.

Be sure to like Choice Brands on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with new product releases. Feel free to message us for information on where to find your favorite brands. Find us at facebook.com/ choicebrands, twitter.com/choicebrandsinc, and instagram.com/choicebrands.

AN ALLY article by MEREDITH MCKINNIE

About nine years ago, before my husband and toddlers, I was more footloose and fancy free. I adored the nightlife - not the typical club scene, but the more relaxed pub environment. I enjoyed the freedom to just be for hours amongst others my age and well above. Ironically, I didn’t indulge liquor at the time. I would just continually smile at the staff I knew by name when my Styrofoam cup needed more cola. I felt comfortable in that environment and frequently brought my work with me on a typical Tuesday evening. I would hole up in the corner of the patio, a six-foot picnic table all to myself, and intently focus on my papers with the music blurring the nearby conversations. Combining work and leisure was one of my favorite discoveries of my early thirties.

On one such night, I was in that same corner, about an hour into my work, when I noticed a man staring at me -intently staring, territorially staring. I felt uncomfortable immediately. I didn’t recognize his face, an unusual occurrence in this place. Other than the staff, not many other people I knew were at the establishment either. I tried to ignore him, kept looking down and planned to call over a staff member when one returned outside. But he didn’t give me the time. He sauntered over to my table and plopped down right across from me, setting his sweating glass on my ungraded papers. The wet ring immediately began to expand. I was annoyed and stared at him, biting my lower lip, unsure how to handle the situation. Should I be polite and hope for the best? Should I be assertive and ask him to leave? He hadn’t said or done anything offensive yet, but he was making me uneasy. Either he couldn’t see it or he didn’t care - I’d bet on the latter. He kept trying to ask about me, insisted on buying me a drink, and asked what I was doing. I insisted, politely, that I was working and wasn’t there to socialize. He countered that I wouldn’t be in a bar if I didn’t want to socialize. Here he was telling me what I wanted, as if I didn’t know.

I considered just vacating the table, but gathering my belongings would have taken minutes and the removal of his dripping glass, and I’m not one to cause a scene. I just wanted him to disappear, to take a hint, to make this awkward interaction easier on me by leaving. But as these situations go, he assumed persistence was a virtue. If I made a break for my car only a few steps away, would he follow? Would I be more unsafe in the parking lot? - such was the montage running through my head. I searched frantically around for a familiar face, for a source to convey my discomfort. I don’t often feel I need rescuing, but I craved rescue at that moment - and then she appeared.

With grayish, fluffy hair and a dominating stance, a woman I’d never met suddenly towered over both of us.

“Sorry I was late...mind if I sit here?” she asked the unwelcome man across from me.

“Oh, sure, can I stay?” he asked her.

“No.” she responded and motioned for him to leave.

He begrudgingly unfolded himself from the picnic table, slid his glass off my papers, dropping three in the process, and exited the patio. She took his place and started making small talk. After he couldn’t be seen anymore, she casually said “You looked like you wanted him to go, sorry if I overstepped. I’ll be just three tables over. If you need me, just nod.”

And with that, she left. I sat stunned for a moment. It was as if I had willed her into existence, as I hadn’t noticed her before. I sat comfortably for three more hours working peacefully while she perched less than ten feet away. I knew I was okay. Many more times over the years I would stake out that corner booth, and often I would catch her eye. We would exchange a nod, and I knew someone was looking out for me. Even though I consider myself a strong woman who doesn’t need saving or protection, in a moment when I wanted an ally, a woman appeared.

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH will be a heritage celebration to be held at the Monroe Civic Center on Thursday, February 24th. Labeled, “Better Love Yourself: A Celebration of Black Girls,” the event is set to salute twenty-eight local girls who are honor roll students at their various schools. The girls are models in the local youth group Model 10/18 which has been in operation since 2020. Its aim is to foster self-confidence, scholarship, physical fitness, and to expose girls aged 10 to 18 to beauty, fashion, and travel.

The program, which was created by local photographer and educator Robert Wright, is designed around the school district’s calendar and the ACT exam. The girls meet once a month for a themed photo shoot, have workshops, and there is a heavy focus on physical fitness. “I don’t just take their photos. I ensure that there is knowledge behind those eyes. The overall message to them is that they are more than just a pretty face,” Wright said.

The program began during the summer of 2020 with only 11 girls and has grown to 28 in two years. Each girl is required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0, no tattoos or body piercings, they can’t be pregnant or have children, and they must have and maintain a normal and healthy BMI. At the conclusion of their high school career, each girl qualifies for a $1,200 scholarship, should they earn a 23 or higher on the ACT. “It’s a rigorous program but most of the girls are high achievers. I get a lot of my energy for the program from them. When they excel in class, I find another way to reward them. It’s my contribution and investment into their academic success,” said Wright.

The group travels at the end the school year. During the summer of 2021, six of the girls traveled to New York City and were exposed to life in America’s biggest city. They visited the 9/11 Memorial and reflected at the pools. They also enjoyed time in Times Square and taking in the exhibits at Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum. This year, they will travel to Los Angeles, California and tour Warner Bros. Studios, Hollywood, the Grammy Museum and spend time at Santa Monica Beach. “As a community, we should expect them to be well-read, well-dressed, wellspoken and well-traveled. Exposure to life outside of Monroe makes a huge difference when they have to compete with and work with others who have traveled,” Wright said. Although travel is an expectation of the program, it has its expense. The girls are not allowed to travel alone, and one of their parents must accompany them on the trips. It adds an additional expense to families but ensures the safety and comfort of the girls and allows a chance for the parents to take part in their travel experience.

The heritage celebration at the Civic Center this month is a fundraiser with an aim to offset the costs of the girl’s travel to Los Angeles. After expenses, the proceeds from the event will be divided amongst the girls who participate. “The community’s participation in supporting this event will be a great help to these girls and their families,” Wright said. The girls will also be saluted for their academic accomplishments during the 2nd Nine Weeks. Six of them earned a 4.0 GPA rating and two of them have scored 22 on the ACT in their sophomore year in high school, and will receive special commendations.

The event is a black-tie formal banquet and dinner will be served during a period of entertainment by Monroe native recording artist Terisa Griffin. Griffin is no stranger to philanthropic endeavors as her non-profit Better Love Yourself is responsible for thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduating high school seniors for over a decade. She majored in music performance at Northeast Louisiana University and later moved to Chicago where she has performed with some the greats in the industry and even succeeded a few rounds of NBC’s The Voice.

After the banquet, three local girls, Joy Norman, Charlasia Harris, and Zoey Wade will perform songs on the piano as part of their piano recital. They are music students of Wright and are accomplished at such a very young age.

The girls will finally be empowered and encouraged with motivational words from the Assistant District Attorney for the 4th JDC, Danielle Linkford. Linkford is a former Neville High School Bengal Belle, who matriculated at Southern University and A&M College dancing with the fabulous Dancing Dolls, and later earned her Juris Doctorate becoming an attorney. “She (Linkford) is the right person with the right message for these girls of whom many are following her path. She’s closer to their age than I or their parents and she’s walked the walk to make this talk,” Wright said.

Wright said that the success of his youth program is largely due to parental participation. The girls are highly active in their school’s dance lines, cheerleaders, community dance companies, and various sports teams. “Their (girls) parents are very dedicated and want the best for their daughters. We even have many fathers who are just as active as their counterparts. They all want them to succeed and invest in them financially and in time to see to it that they not only exceed in school but in extra-curricular pursuits such as this,” Wright said.

The event falls on the 20th anniversary of Wright’s photography company which began on February 24, 2002. “It appears that all roads have led to this moment and this program is the culmination of all of my educational and photographic pursuits. What a way to celebrate twenty years,” Wright said.

The event begins at 7 p.m. in the B.D. Robinson Conference Hall.

“THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE,” SAID ONE CEDAR Creek third grader about the school’s 2021 Science and Engineering Day, an annual on-campus STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) event led by Louisiana Tech engineering students. For the past 6 years, the Louisiana Tech AGC/NASTT Student Chapter (an Engineering group) has visited Cedar Creek to engage elementary students in a day of hands-on learning and career exploration that includes science centers (see recipes for making oobleck and a STEM building challenge, facing page), engine demonstrations, construction equipment, and tools for land surveying.

Students also complete STEM building challenges using common household materials like marshmallows and raw spaghetti noodles.

“One of my favorite things about STEM is that it teaches students that sometimes the ‘mess- ups’ or mistakes are the best ways to eventually figure out the problem,” said Brooke Martin, third grade science and social studies teacher at Cedar Creek.

“Students try different approaches, learn to think outside the box and test out their ideas. By figuring out what does not work, oftentimes they are able to solve the problem,” Martin said.

Martin, who holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Louisiana Tech, said interactive STEM experiences are a vital part of her curriculum.

“We provide a hands-on approach to learning that focuses on critical thinking and problem solving,” she said. “Children are naturally curious and interested in how the world works, and they want to try to figure out problems. STEM lessons allow learning to be fun as well as educational.”

Martin said connecting STEM concepts to real-life applications is key to lasting learning.

“Students can better retain concepts that we learn about in class when they must help figure out problems related to the idea,” she said. “For example, when we learn about weather, we discuss weather hazards. We think like architects and try to design a roof that will stay on during severe wind. We add objects to a paper house like stickers, paperclips, and toothpicks. Students can be creative and experiment with different solutions using only a few available supplies.”

Dana Milam (B.S. Biology/Chemistry, M.Ed. Science Education) teaches fourth and fifth grade science at Cedar Creek and has this to say about the school’s elementary STEM curriculum.

“I love seeing children’s faces light up when they are learning and having fun with labs and activities,” she said. “Real-world STEM activities are important in catching the attention of students and involving them in the lesson. I believe in learning by doing. Hands on activities are so important in our learning process.”

Milam said she includes STEM activities each week in science class.

“One way to turn a lesson into a STEM activity is by having the students create a game using the concepts we have learned in class,” she said. One year, our fourth-grade students used magnets to make learning games. The students had so much fun playing the games created by their classmates. Any time we can use everyday materials to solve a problem, we can increase their excitement for science and learning.”

Milam said her young students demonstrate their mastery of concepts by creating class projects that illustrate scientific principles.

“We build our own solar cooker each year,” Milam said. “Students also love designing and constructing roller coasters to test the laws of motion. We even mix chemicals to make slime and create reactions.”

Cedar Creek has a well-stocked STEM closet to supply teachers with craft supplies and other materials for classroom lessons and projects. Teachers may also check out sets of Sphero robots and Turin Tumble marble-powered computers.

STEM instruction begins in Pre-Kindergarten at Cedar Creek, with students exploring science and math concepts as part of their centerbased learning. Teachers encourage parents to support their children’s natural academic curiosity at home.

“Practice with STEM concepts at home can begin with science topics the child loves or has shown interest in learning,” Milam said. “Kids can use Legos, gears, and other toys from home to solve science problems.”

Want to try a STEM challenge at home? One of the best things about STEM is the ease of preparation. See the facing page for activities using supplies that can be found around the house.

Now enrolling in grades PK-12 for the 2022-23 school year! Apply online at www.cedarcreekschool.org/apply. Cedar Creek’s academic programs include Dual Enrollment with Louisiana Tech University and Advanced Placement (AP). Cedar Creek’s senior class earned nearly $4.5 million in scholarship offers in 2021, with the top quartile scoring a 31 average ACT. Call Hope Merchant at (318) 255-7707 for more information or to schedule a campus tour. Cedar Creek practices an open, non-discriminatory admissions policy.