Northwestern State University hosted over 1500 high school students, faculty sponsors and families from 38 schools from throughout the region for the Northwest Louisiana Literary Rally, Saturday, March 14. The Louisiana High School Rally, an academic competition held throughout the state since 1909, with the regional competition being held at NSU since the 1960’s, is an academic competition in which high school students compete by taking exams in a variety of subjects taught in high school. The Northwest Louisiana Rally held at NSU features different tests ranging from Agriscience to Calculus. Caddo and Bossier parishes were ably represented by students from Caddo Magnet, Benton, Captain Shreve, Huntington, Southwood, Calvary Baptist, Evangel, Loyola, Word of God Academy and Caddo Virtual Academy.

Byrd and Captain Shreve shared first place honors in the Rally’s always competitive Division I. Caddo Magnet won first place in Division II. with Southwood taking third place. Loyola took second place in Division II. Individual students who earn qualifying scores on their test or performance will advance to compete at the state literary rally at LSU in Baton Rouge on April 18.

Hard working teachers raising our young people’s sights and encouraging academic excellence are an integral part of our schools’ mission that all too often goes unrecognized. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for the hours of hard work, dedication and belief in your students’ abilities. Lastly, the Caddo-Bossier Parish Journal wishes all the best to our parishes’ students who will go on to represent Caddo and Bossier parishes at the state rally in Baton Rouge.