Estrada honored for achievement

STEVENS POINT, Wis. —  Manny Riki Estrada of Fort Polk has been recognized by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for scholastic achievement.

Estrada received the highest honor designation for achieving a grade-point average between 3.90 to 4.0.

Sowela students recognized

Seven Digital Arts and Communication students from Sowela Technical Community College recently competed at the American Advertising Federation Houston Student Conference, with five students winning awards.

The top teams included Sowela students Chance DeCuir and Cameryn Schexnider claiming first place, Severina Estes earning second place and Braylon Jack and Kourtlen Thomas securing third place.

During the competition, diverse student teams of eight to nine members from over 20 Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas universities collaborate on a creative solution for two distinct products.

The challenging aspect was the time constraint of eight hours to complete the entire project. Teams consist of an art director/graphic designer, copywriter, account services, marketing strategist, media planner, and new media strategist, with each Sowela student assuming the pivotal role of art director/graphic designer.

Additional participating Sowela students were Sophie Candler and Madeleine Guillory. Sowela Graphic Art Instructor Darrell Buck advised the students.

McNeese pair honored

Southwest Louisiana cowgirls Josie Ogea and Caitlyn Dionne are making their equestrian dreams come true in big ways. National organizations have selected the two to further their educational pursuits in the equine industry. Both girls are from the surrounding Lake Charles community and attend McNeese State University.

Ogea, a junior majoring in agribusiness, received an internship for a breeding attendant at the famed Lazy E Ranch in Gutherie, Okla. Recognized as one the nation’s premier equine breeding centers for the western horse industry, the Lazy E sits on 925 acres and is a full-service breeding and sales consignment facility.

Dionne, a senior majoring in computer engineering at McNeese and in digital arts and communication at Sowela Technical College, was selected by Art Of The Cowgirl for its photography fellowship in April. Created in 2019, Art Of The Cowgirl is annual gathering of female artists and clinicians celebrating cowgirls and their contributions to the Western lifestyle. The weeklong gathering includes competitions, clinics, workshops, and a trade show.

Four named to dean’s list

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Four Southwest Louisiana students have been named to the dean’s list at Southern New Hampshire University.

They are Mackenzie Childs and Brittney Louviere, both of Lake Charles; Samantha Harris of Kinder; and Katrina Lewis of Sulphur.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the list.

Brown earns scholarship

Merryville High School student John Brown has been awarded the $1,500 Ben Bonner Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship aims to honor Bonner’s legacy by supporting low-income students who are interested in pursuing careers in the trades.