Northwestern State University hosted over 2,600 high school students, faculty sponsors and families from 38 schools from throughout the region for the Northwest Louisiana Literary Rally Saturday.

The Louisiana High School Rally, an academic competition held throughout the state since 1909, with the regional competition being held at NSU since the 1960s, 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 featured 51 different tests ranging from Agriscience to Calculus.

Rapides Parish was ably represented by several teams of sharp young people from schools such as Bolton, ASH, Buckeye and Glenmora High Schools. Students who earn qualifying scores on their test or performance will advance to compete at the state literary rally at LSU in Baton Rouge in March. NSU’s Art and Science departments also held demonstrations and a drone flying contest.

Hard working teachers raising our young people’s sights and encouraging academic excellence are part and parcel of our schools’ mission. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for the hours of hard work, dedication and belief in your students’ abilities. Lastly, the Rapides Parish Journal wishes all the best to our parish’s students who will go on to represent the parish at the state rally in Baton Rouge. Well done!