Back To BTR

I was born in Mississippi, but Baton Rouge became part of my story almost immediately when my parents moved here while I was still a baby. After first grade, our family relocated once again, this time to Tennessee, where I spent most of my childhood. At the start of ninth grade, my mom’s strong family ties brought us back to Baton Rouge, leading me to St. Michael the Archangel High School.

Returning as a teenager and knowing very few people, I was convinced Baton Rouge was just a temporary stop. I couldn’t wait to leave. As the years unfolded, the city surprised me. I found welcoming people, meaningful connections, and a depth of culture, tradition, and opportunity far more than I had expected. By senior year, my perspective had completely shifted. With the help of TOPS, I chose to attend LSU, where I pursued a degree in Biological Sciences while also earning my Secondary Teaching Certification through the LSU Geaux Teach Program. What started as a place I was eager to escape became a place I didn’t want to leave. By college graduation, I recognized the opportunities, experiences, and unmatched sense of belonging Baton Rouge offered, and I knew this was where I wanted to build my life.

BTR Community

As an adult, I quickly realized that as careers advance and families grow, friendships naturally shift, making it important to be intentional about building community. Both my husband and I are from large families and stay close to our siblings, nieces and nephews. This creates natural opportunities to meet new people and share meaningful experiences, from coaching my son’s and nephews’ tee ball team to running a Girls on the Run 5K with my niece. Those moments have introduced me to new faces in Baton Rouge and give us a sense of community and belonging.

Together, we especially enjoy the events at the LSU Rural Life Museum, from family favorites like the Pumpkin Patch and Louisiana Lights to adult traditions such as Zapp’s Beerfest in the spring. We love the school fairs and plays that pop up throughout the year. We are always up for checking out a new restaurant or brewery, especially if Clayton Schilling is playing, and the night ends up being one to remember.

BTR Work

Ten years ago, I accepted a position at LSU University Laboratory School and quickly found not only a career I love, but also a lasting community and lifelong friends. Some of my fondest memories around Baton Rouge have happened with my coworkers. As a chemistry teacher, I have fully immersed myself in campus life, finding deep joy and fulfillment in work that naturally centers on serving students and strengthening our school. This dedication was recently recognized by the Baton Rouge Local Section of the American Chemical Society, which named me the 2025 Outstanding Chemistry Teacher of the Year. Over the years, I have helped organize schoolwide blood drives, K–12 Halloween Science Days, a student-led booth at LSU’s Super Science Saturday, and Arbor Day celebrations with the goal of achieving Tree Campus School recognition. This kind of work where it is hands-on, collaborative, and rooted in service, feels distinctly Baton Rouge. I value that my role allows me to positively impact students far beyond the classroom.

This year, I also stepped into a new role as co-chair of the Lab School’s Golden Gala, discovering another meaningful way to support our school through fundraising. The planning committee has become a close-knit group of friends, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see our ideas translate into tangible, visible impact through the help and generosity of the Baton Rouge community.

Beyond campus, I stay actively involved in the Baton Rouge community through my participation in the Krewe of Artemis. Along with riding in the parade each Mardi Gras season, I take part in year-round events and outreach efforts that give back locally. One of the things I love most is the Krewe’s involvement with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, where we donate holiday gifts to patients and bring the floats through the hospital grounds so patients can enjoy the celebration from their rooms.

I also enjoy continuing to learn through leisure cooking and baking classes at the Louisiana Culinary Institute. Baking, in particular, has been an unexpected catalyst for building relationships in the Baton Rouge community, allowing me to connect with people from all walks of life. I have used my baking skills to support school functions, celebrate life events, and even create my first wedding cake this year.

BTR for Good

Travel has always been one of my greatest joys, where I can experience new places, cultures, and perspectives, but Baton Rouge is where I feel most grounded. I love this place, this culture and this community’s perspective on life. My husband and I now share our love of adventure with our children, traveling from corners of Louisiana to London and beyond. Still, there is nothing like returning to Baton Rouge. This city offers fun, excitement, and adventure when you want it, but provides the irreplaceable sense of home when you need it. What began as a stop along the way has become the place where my roots took hold.