Armstrong Masterclass Inspires Willow Musicians
Today, Willow High School music students participated in an extraordinary Armstrong Masterclass led by teacher Kent Jordan along with Jonathan Bloom and guest artists from the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Jazz Camp. The session brought New Orleans’ musical heritage directly into the classroom, transforming it into a living workshop on jazz artistry, cultural history, and creative discipline.
More than a performance, this was an immersive educational experience. Students explored the foundations of jazz interpretation, ensemble communication, and improvisational technique—skills that form the heart of Louisiana’s musical legacy. Guest artists demonstrated the connections between historical jazz traditions and modern performance practice, offering students firsthand insight into how professional musicians approach collaboration and expression.
The Armstrong Masterclass underscores Willow’s commitment to integrating authentic cultural experiences into arts education, ensuring that students not only study the arts but also learn directly from those shaping them today.
Best of luck to Lions Volleyball, as they head to their Regional Playoff game Saturday at South Lafourche at 11:00 am!
2025 BLOCK PARTY SHIRT SALES END TOMORROW (FRIDAY)!
Get ready to glow at this year’s Willow School Block Party (Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5-8pm) with our limited-edition 2025 Block Party shirts designed by CAVA student D. Rodriguez!
These shirts are available by preorder only — and orders close this Friday, Nov. 7, at 8pm! Printed on a sleek black base with fluorescent inks, these shirts will make you and your child(ren) shine bright at our Glow Stations throughout the event.
Shirts will be delivered to student homerooms the week of the event. Staff shirts will be delivered to the office of the campus you work at the week of the event.
Order your shirts here: https://willowschoolptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/store/product/BLOCSHIRT25
Get ready to glow at this year’s Willow School Block Party (Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5-8pm) with our limited-edition 2025 Block Party shirts designed by CAVA student D. Rodriguez!
These shirts are available by preorder only — and orders close this Friday, Nov. 7, at 8pm! Printed on a sleek black base with fluorescent inks, these shirts will make you and your child(ren) shine bright at our Glow Stations throughout the event.
Shirts will be delivered to student homerooms the week of the event. Staff shirts will be delivered to the office of the campus you work at the week of the event.
Order your shirts here: https://willowschoolptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/store/product/BLOCSHIRT25
Willow juniors participated in a service-learning field trip with Common Ground Relief to help plant native trees and restore the coastal islands that protect our community from storms and floodwaters. It was a meaningful opportunity for students to connect with their environment, apply what we have been learning in the field, and contribute to local restoration efforts. Thus far, they have planted 600 trees at Bayou Bienvenue!!!
New Orleans-based artists and friends Anthony "BE3K" Badon and Tyla A. Maiden are exhibiting their powerful portraits and objects in The Willow High School Cave Gallery through December of this year. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Their joint statement: All the Colors We Are is a vibrant celebration of identity, friendship, and the beauty found within our stories. Created by artists Anthony “BE3K” Badon and Tyla Maiden, this exhibition explores the colorful nature of what it means to be full of joy, creativity, strength, and individuality. All the Colors We Are is a celebration of light, life, and the many shades that make us who we are.
Save the date for the upcoming PTSA Coffees for Willow Parents/Guardians! Stop by for a cup of coffee and conversation with campus leadership. Hope to see you then!
Historic New Orleans Collection Curator of Education Collin Makamson recently visited the Brimmer library. Makamson is doing research on Louisianans who volunteered to fight against Franco's fascist forces in Spain during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). One of the seven individuals from Louisiana who served and sadly was killed in action during the war was Jean Pierre Rouen, a Alcee Fortier High School student who grew up on Soniat Street and then Robert Street. Records indicate that Rouen attended Fortier in the 1930s, but unfortunately his photo and name don't appear in any of the yearbook archives currently stored in the Brimmer library.
During his visit, Makamson also shared photos of a famous Fortier alum-- John Kennedy Toole, author of the quintessential New Orleans novel (and 1981 Pulitzer Prize winner), Confederacy of Dunces. "Ken Toole" appears in the 1953-54 Fortier (Tarpon) yearbook and the school newspaper, Silver and Blue. Makamson also found a photo of the library in the 1953-54 yearbook-- and it looks very similar to our library today!
Photos: The Fortier library as it appeared in 1953-54; Makamson goes through Fortier school newspapers from the 1930s; John Kennedy Toole as he appears in the Fortier yearbook and school newspaper, 1953-54.
During his visit, Makamson also shared photos of a famous Fortier alum-- John Kennedy Toole, author of the quintessential New Orleans novel (and 1981 Pulitzer Prize winner), Confederacy of Dunces. "Ken Toole" appears in the 1953-54 Fortier (Tarpon) yearbook and the school newspaper, Silver and Blue. Makamson also found a photo of the library in the 1953-54 yearbook-- and it looks very similar to our library today!
Photos: The Fortier library as it appeared in 1953-54; Makamson goes through Fortier school newspapers from the 1930s; John Kennedy Toole as he appears in the Fortier yearbook and school newspaper, 1953-54.
Henry joined Willow High School's CAVA I, CAVA II, Foundations, and 2D Visual Art classes where students drew or painted Henry. The students enjoyed his company during a hectic exam week!
Spirit Week is bringing out the animals in everyone at the Lower School!
Congratulations and thanks to our families and staff at the Lower School. The campus raised $21,885.00 for this year’s fundraising campaign in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! The Willow School is ranked #2 in the nation for fundraising for the LLS organization! Special thanks to the campaign organizers LS nurse Ms. Joanna Lotterman and paraprofessional Ms. Marlis Jennings. Congratulations on this huge accomplishment! Thank you again to our families for their support of this campaign. @TheLeukemia&LymphomaSociety @LLSUSA
Thanks to @drhlewis Dr. Henderson Lewis for sharing his inspiring message at The Willow School's annual Leadership Summit.
Congratulations to the following Willow High School singers who excelled in their performances at State Rally on April 12, 2025. 10 of the performances earned the top rating of Superior! The judge praised our students' strong musicianship, mastery of technique, and mature levels of expression.
Larissa Huilgol; Marbella Maristany; Lillian Garnand; Ariana Uschold; Kevin Doucette;
Drago Han; James Andrews; Henry Perrine ; Lillian Garnand, Kelly Laines, & Aubry Snipes - SSA trio; Ariana Uschold, Kelly Laines, & Aubry Snipes - SSA trio; Larissa Huilgol, Marbella Maristany, Henry Perrine, & Nikolai Huilgol - SATB quartet
We are a third of the way to our goal in this year's GiveNOLA Day campaign!!! Please help to get us there! Individuals can make online donations--the minimum amount is just $10. The link to Willow's GiveNOLA page is: https://www.givenola.org/organization/Willow Please share the link with family and friends.Thank you for your support!
Please consider a gift of any size to the Willow School during today's GiveNOLA Day campaign. Every dollar raised today will help support our unique programs in academics, the arts and athletics. Individuals can make online donations--the minimum amount is just $10. The link to Willow's GiveNOLA page is: https://www.givenola.org/organization/Willow Please share the link with family and friends. Thank you!
Willow 11th grader Olivier Limjuco participated in the Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge with competing schools for up to $15,000 in scholarships and school funding! He pitched slideDown - a screen-time Tamagotchi app - to a panel of judges and placed as a semi-finalist. Well done, Olivier!
Join us today, Wednesday, April 23, from 4-9pm at Raising Cane’s on Claiborne Avenue for a school fundraiser. When you dine during this time, 15% of the proceeds will go directly to support The Willow School – just mention The Willow School while ordering!
So skip the cooking, grab some crispy chicken fingers, and help us raise funds for our school.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 23rd
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Raising Cane’s – Claiborne Avenue
🍗 Support: 15% of the profit from each sale will benefit The Willow School
We hope to see you there — thank you for supporting our amazing school community!
The Willow School Dance Department presents The Spring Dance Concert!
Performances are at 7:00pm on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at Ursuline Academy's auditorium.
Tickets are $10 each and are available NOW for purchase on GoFan.
Friday - https://gofan.co/event/3569994?schoolId=LA69643
Saturday - https://gofan.co/event/3570047?schoolId=LA69643
Don't forget! Willow's next Blood Drive is at our High School campus TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 9. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments are preferred. ALL DONORS RECEIVE a t-shirt and entry into RAFFLE to WIN (2) Pelicans Home Game Tickets
Save the date! Willow's next Blood Drive is at our High School campus on Wednesday, April 9. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments are preferred. ALL DONORS RECEIVE a t-shirt and entry into RAFFLE to WIN (2) Pelicans Home Game Tickets
It's a beautiful day for a Willow School Crawfish Boil!! Come on out!
