HYLA Junior High Explores the History, Culture and Arts of Bay St. Louis

​For Immediate Release:
HYLA Junior High Explores the History, Culture and Arts of Bay St. Louis
March 12, 2018
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) Junior High Program Class of 2018 spent their most recent session immersed in the history, art and culture of Bay St. Louis.
 
The 2018 HYLA Junior High School Class is comprised of twenty-four eighth graders from Hancock County who represent all four area middle schools.  On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, the group began their day with a tour of The Sea Coast Echo.  There they learned how the news is gathered and designed for print and also the immense value of the community newspaper to the residents. 
 
The Hancock County Historical Society was the next stop on the tour where Mr. Eddie Coleman educated the students on the history of Bay St. Louis.  Students learned that they could access the archives to do their own historical research.  They then enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Purple Banana.
 
HYLA students were further immersed in Hancock County culture when they took a walking tour with a stop at the Train Depot, which houses both the Mardi Gras Museum, where costumes from the Krewe of Nereids are displayed, and the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum.   Mary Ann Pucheu, a current Officer of the Krewe, was on hand to explain the history behind the organization and the impact that it has on the local economy.   The students then participated in a scavenger hunt to learn more about the folk art of Alice Moseley.   HYLA students ended their walking tour with a stop at the Starr Boarding House (which is now the Bay St. Louis Little Theatre).  They were treated to a tour and presentation by Clayton Pennylegion and John Anderson.
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy is the first and only county-wide youth leadership program in Hancock County, and is a program of The Hancock Resource Center.  Moving forward, local community sponsorships are needed.  Please consider sponsoring a session or making a general donation to support the ongoing operation of the Hancock Youth Leadership Academy.  Invest in Hancock County’s future by cultivating its next generation of leaders: visit www.hancockhrc.org or call 228-463-8887 to learn how.
 
  
Picture – Back Row (left to right): Devin Graham (OLA), Allie Haas (B/W Middle), Maci Ladner (Hancock), Emily May (Hancock), Ryan Ladner (Hancock), Allie Lindsey (Hancock), Mary Ann Pucheu (Officer of Krewe of Nereids), Erica Rabalais (B/W Middle), Urbano Mendez (B/W Middle), Christian Bourgeios (Saint Stanislaus), Brandon Rhodes (Saint Stanislaus), Gus Breisacher (Saint Stanislaus), and Julia Hazlette (OLA).
Middle Row:  Reagan Mortillaro (OLA), Naomi Robertson (B/W Middle), Haley Cox (OLA), Adisson Capo (OLA), and Katie Pennell (OLA).
Front Row:  Sedley Normand (Hancock), Rachel Rowe (Hancock), Owen Monahan (Hancock), Keegan Leverett (Saint Stanislaus),  Brandon Griffith (Saint Stanislaus), and Elisabeth Mooar (Hancock).
 
 
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For additional information, contact Rhonda Rhodes at 228-463-8887 or [email protected]. 

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