YOUNG AUDIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL CLASS OF 2024

The Young Audiences Charter School (YACS) Graduation Ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 5:30 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. The Keynote Speaker was Oliver Thomas, with guest Speaker Daryll Forges.

The YACS Valedictorians are:

Kelly Rebecca Green is from Gretna, LA and is the daughter of Sammy Green and Leetrice Duplessie. She plans to attend LSU in the fall and major in Political Science. Aside from being our valedictorian, Kelly is earning a Certificate of Artistry in Visual Arts, she is a Talented in Visual Arts student, SGA President, a member of the National Honor Society, and the National Art Honor Society. Kelly is also one of our Sun Ray students, meaning she has been with Young Audiences Charter School since we opened in 2013. She has earned merit scholarships to many colleges, including LSU, Howard University, Loyola, and Xavier.

Trae’ Jon Turner-Smith, from Avondale, LA, is the grandson of Troylyn Turner-James. He will attend Tulane University in the fall and major in Engineering Physics. At YACS, Trae’Jon earned a double Certificate of Artistry in Graphic Design and Film. This year, Trae’Jon competed in the Louisiana Film Festival with a biographical film he co-directed, filmed and edited called, Louie’s Life. Trae’Jon is a member of the National Honor Society and has received numerous college scholarships including University of Utah, New York Institute of Technology, LSU, and Tulane. Last summer, Trae’Jon won a scholarship to attend Tulane University’s Pre-College Program and earned college credit for a Materials Science and Engineering course.

The YACS Salutatorian is:

Morgan Jonise Anderson is the daughter of Sgt. Joseph Emmanuel Anderson Sr. and Denise Anderson.  A member of Young Audiences’s award winning Blue Heat dance team, Morgan spends countless hours practicing, performing, and marching in Mardi Gras parades. When she’s not dancing, she maintains a 4.2 GPA and assists with the younger dancers.  In the fall Morgan plans to attend Texas Southern University and major in Kinesiology. Morgan says that, while she is undecided if she’ll minor in dance, dance will always be a part of her life and plans to spend breaks helping out with the Blue Heat dance team at YACS.

Top Ten  (remaining grads) Honor Graduates in Alphabetical Order:

Jacie Ard, Kai Bush, Mia Cano, Shawn Carter, Sean Glay, Diego Rodriguez-De LA Cruz and Bethany Tiruneh.

Young Audiences Charter Schools Senior Graduates (Minus Top Ten Honor Graduates)

Falynn Adaira Adams, Destiny Nicole Albers, Madelin Elise Alexander, Judah Jehovah-Rafael Arties, Nya Marie Athanese, Alexa Babin, Dekendrick Demond Banks, Ja`Ionnie Berry, Lanier Bouie, Jr., Zyia Boykins, Jovante Christopher Bush, Maria Jose Chavez, Christian Cruz, Kevin Germaine Davis, Jr., Asia Davis, Sydney Daleth Deleon, Lloyrian Alisha-Yanni Dyson, Jaquan Faciane, Jose Leandro Fortin, Troy Jermond Frederick, Gabrielle Ann Goodman, Christopher Green, Joe Joseph Guilbeau, Jr., Paloma Lizette Guzman, Alicia Henderson, Elias Renson Henry, Lonidra Michelle Howard, Nehemiah A. Jackson, Philip Justin Jeandron, Jr., Brendon Johnson, Skylor Johnson, Qian Joseph, Amaya King, Malica Beyonce Lafontant, Trey Lampton, Chelsea Alexis Landers, Janelle Christina Lopez, Jessica Janeth Lopez, Daniel Mack III, Jude Anson Marshall, Avery Michael Martinez, Mackenzie McBride, Corey Love McGee, Sherlyn Jesmin Mendoza, Mark Michel III, Harmony Keshauna Latrice Mosley, Christani Tatiana Nuila, Lelia Alonie Parker, Shane Artez Patterson, Arismendy Francis Paulino, Hailey Piglia, Noah Robert Pond, Kadence Foster Powell, Brianna Leigh Ray, A`Mya Kiye` Robertson, Jyhree L. Rhodes, Alina Romero, Brandon Keith Rousell, Aniya L. Sergent, Chaz Torren Smith, Tralicia Sentrell Trask, Jennifer Uribe, Jacolby David Varnado, Rosalinda Verrett, Haven Olivia Volpi, Jalen Ahman Washington, Gavin Arturd-Davis Weigand, Dmyrin Montrel White, Marques Ashton Whitset, Jae`Lyn Damaya Williams, Rayian Raynell Williams, Terry Travis Williams, Miguel Lacour Willis, Azoria Withrow, and Jace Ziegel