LaSalle High recognizes standout students, teachers at LaSalle School Board meeting

The LaSalle Parish School Board opened its Oct. 13 meeting by recognizing two LaSalle High School students and three teachers, as part of a continued effort to honor a different school at the beginning of their monthly meetings.

Jane Griffin, in her first year as LaSalle High principal, introduced the honorees. Senior Wyatt King and junior Charlie Seaward led the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting.

Griffin said both students are active in clubs and athletics. She credited them with keeping a campus tradition going this fall.

“Our FCA sponsor couldn’t be at See You at the Pole this year, so these two students stepped up and actually led the event,” Griffin said.

King has been in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has played four years each on the Bulldogs’ football and baseball teams.

“Wyatt is a star on the football field,” Griffin said.

King was named a second-team all-district linebacker in 2024. In 2025, he was a first-team all-district linebacker, a second- team All-Cenla linebacker and a second- team all-state linebacker.

Seaward has served two years as a class representative. He is a member of FCA and Future Business Leaders of America. He has been a Jobs for America’s Graduates representative for two years and served one year as JAG president.

He has also earned several credentials, Griffin said, including customer service, business of retail and Ducks Unlimited. Seaward has played three years of football and run track for three years. He has also spent two years as manager of the basketball team and two years as manager of the baseball team.

Griffin has spent many years in education and returned to work after retiring. She thanked the board for welcoming her to the school and the community.

“It has been a pleasure,” she said. “Last year, teaching geometry at Jena, and then this year at LaSalle High School.”

She also thanked former principal Heath Denison for leaving her a strong staff.

“He set me up with a good staff, outstanding assistant principal, Mrs. Minard, and Miss Corley, our counselor,” Griffin said. “They do everything. I just sit around and eat bonbons, but they do everything.”

Griffin then introduced teachers Danielle Brown, Jamie Munson and Stephanie Barnhill.

Brown teaches world history, digital media and physical education. She is also an assistant softball coach.

“She’s a Winnfield product,” Griffin said. “Is it okay if I say that she’s one of mine? She doesn’t have much time to waste.”

Brown is certified in special education. Griffin said she is the teacher responsible for getting students certified in the Ducks Unlimited credential. She has 11 years of experience and was named Olla-Standard Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2017. She and her three children, Ty, Camryn and Layla, are members of Calvary Baptist Church. She coaches her children in travel ball.

Griffin singled out Brown for organizing the school’s Oct. 2 homecoming parade.

“I kept saying, ‘What do we need to do to get ready for the parade?’ They said, ‘It just happens,’” Griffin said. “I said, ‘A parade just doesn’t happen.’ And guess what? The parade just happened. I did not hand out a 10-page set of instructions on how to do it. It happened, and we had a great time.”

Munson teaches civics and U.S. history. Griffin said she “runs a tight ship.” Munson is certified in English and social studies and has 18 years of experience. She serves as a mentor teacher and has earned ACE teacher status. She has been named LaSalle High School Teacher of the Year three times.

Munson has also finished teacher leader training. Even so, Griffin said she prefers to stay in the classroom.

“She loves being in the classroom,” Griffin said.

Munson has two children, Logan and Livi. She is music director at Shady Grove United Pentecostal Church. She sang the national anthem at the school’s homecoming assembly.

“If you were at the homecoming assembly, you heard her sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’” Griffin said. “I’ve never heard it better.”

Barnhill teaches food and nutrition classes. She prepares students to test for credentials in customer service and the business of retail.

“We have a very high rate of passing on them,” Griffin said.

Barnhill has 27 years of experience and is a former LaSalle High School Teacher of the Year. She has two children, Kyle and Kelsey. She is very involved in her church, Olla First Baptist, where she leads the retreat ministry. She also enjoys traveling.

Griffin closed by pointing board members to a photo of the full LaSalle High staff printed on their handout.

“Y’all, we don’t have a weak area,” she said. “LaSalle High School is very, very ready to teach our students and get them to the point that they need to be at. The students have been wonderful. The staff has been wonderful. And again, I thank y’all for letting me be a part of it.”