2nd

Bayou Academy has 30 seniors enrolled in its next graduating class and out of that 30, 21 seniors have parents that are Bayou Academy Alumni. Pictured above are the seniors with Bayou Academy Alumni Parents: Austin Davis with mom Candy Davis (74), Blake Andrews and father Lamar Andrews (79), Collins Brister with mom Caryn Brister (1977-not pictured), Maghan Brown with mom Beverly Brown (85), Robyn Dye’s mother is late Suzan Dye (77), Jacob Fullen with dad Bruce (78), Whitney Griffith and dad Bill (79), Brigham Heinsz with dad Charlie Heinsz (1977), Cade Holder with mom Christen Holder (79), Michele Malatesta with dad Darrell (77), Paul Mangialardi with parents Terri (80)and Greg (80) Mangialardi, Cory McClendon with step-father Marty Chenault (87), Mallory McKnight with parents Ernie (72) and Rose Ann McKnight (73), Wes Redden with parents Mark (78) and Allison Redden (1981-not pictured), Caleb Reed with father Bob Reed (77), Haven Roach (not pictured) with mother Celeste Roach (1976-not pictured), Traci Tarver with parents Mike (73) and Nancy Tarver (73), Trevor Tindle with mom Dr. RaAnne(1980) and father Allen Tindle(80), Wilkes Wood with father Clint Wood (1973-not pictured), Charlie Gurney with mother Janie Reed Gurney(1980-not pictured), and Lauren Kelly with step-mother Beth Kelley (92).

Bayou Academy has a strong saying, “ Bayou Academy doesn’t recruit students it recruits families.” In this 2007-2008 graduating senior class nothing says that better. In this special class there are 21 seniors having one or both parents as Bayou Academy alumni, with 30 being enrolled in this class. Bayou Academy was established in 1964 and is seeing the 2^nd generation of families graduate. This year Bayou Academy is showing off the family atmosphere shown at the school.

Receiving an education at Bayou Academy is the main concern for the parents. Bayou Academy has excellent teachers that are truly concerned with teaching and educating the children enrolled. Beverly Brown, 1985 graduate, the mother of Maghan Brown, says, “I always wanted my child to attend the school I graduated from memorable reasons, as well as receive a good education.” Bruce Fullen, 1978 graduate, says “One reason I wanted to send my children to Bayou is that it is smaller and you have a more one on one time with teachers that care and want the students to do well. It is more like family.”

The students are looking forward to their senior year where they will make more memories at Bayou Academy . Jacob Fullen, senior, says, “ He looks forward to being able to be with Mrs. Odom one more year.” And Trevor Tindle says, she is looking forward to cheering and playing tennis her senior year, along with senior privileges. Mallary McKnight, just looks forward to just enjoying her last year of high school with her classmates and teachers.

This class has many memories and stories to share. Blake Andrews most memorial experience at Bayou Academy is teaching his classmates how to parasail during Speech Class, and Mallary McKnight’s most memorial experience is when Austin Davis choked on a cheese stick on the 6^th grade. Trevor Tindle fondest memory is her class screaming at pep rallies and winning a spirit award every week.

The parents have great memories of their senior year also. Rose Anne McKnight, 1973 graduate, believes her most memorable experience was her senior trip to London , and Caryn Brister, 1977 graduate, enjoyed her senior trip to New York . Lamar Andrews, 1979 graduate, enjoyed his senior parties, and Raanne Tindle, class of 1980, enjoyed visiting in the breezeway, and she also enjoyed her mother teaching at Bayou Academy . Her mother has joined the faculty once again this year, as high school librarian.

Athletics have touched many of the 2008 senior students. This bunch of kids participated in playing for the first State Championship titles in Softball and Baseball for Bayou Academy . Maghan Brown and Brigham Heinsz’s fondest memory at Bayou is winning the fast-pitch softball state championship in 2006, and Collins Brister’s fondest memory at Bayou Academy was winning a baseball state championship and beating Jackson Prep in the 2006 and 2007. These two championships will never be forgotten in the student’s memories or the parents and fans of Bayou Academy .

Bayou Academy has come a long way from the building in Skene. Beth Gladden, 1992 graduate, is so happy that all the facilities are in one place. Charles Heinsz, Jr., 1977 graduate, attended Bayou in Duncan, Skene, and Boyle. He has seen Bayou from the beginning to the move of the building to Crosby Road . Bayou is continuing to grow in enrollment, and continues to maintain academic excellence, with support from alumni and friends. With the progress of the foundation board, these alumni parents would like to see other additions to the school such as more college dual courses, school bus or van, an air-conditioned gym, a track, and many more state championships.