The goal of ASH’s Freshman Academy is to make the transition from middle school to high school as smooth as possible for our newest Trojans. The freshman class is divided into three houses: Bamburg, Stoker, and Smith. These houses are named after three individuals who played a major role in creating the culture and traditions of our school. Each house consists of an English, math, science, and social studies teacher who all share the same students.
Research states that Freshman year is the single greatest indicator of whether or not a student will be successful in high school and beyond. Therefore, we have a responsibility to ensure our 9th graders have all the the resources and tools available to guarantee their success. By focusing on a growth mindset when tracking their own short-term academic, behavior management, and school involvement goals, students will be able to report on their successes with long-term goals in mind. In the process, freshman students will truly live out what #TrojanDomination is all about!
Mrs. Mary Anne Hilton is one of ASH's Assistant Principals and Freshman Academy Coordinator. She is a graduate of Alexandria Senior High School and returned to teach at ASH after completing her undergraduate degree at Louisiana Tech University. She served the school as a social studies teacher for nine years before moving into administration. Mrs. Hilton holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
ASH's revived Freshman Academy is the visionary child of Mrs. Hilton, and she continues to grow the program to new heights with a strong team of teachers and Mrs. Norman.
Mrs. Carlee Norman is the freshman guidance counselor. Mrs. Norman taught English at ASH for several years and then moved into the counseling center. The majority of her teaching career was spent teaching freshmen in English I and Pre-AP English I. Mrs. Norman is a graduate of Louisiana Christian University. She works closely with Mrs. Hilton to ensure each freshman schedule is tailored to fit the individual student's academic goals, and she eagerly awaits a new freshman class.
Freshman Academy Houses
BAMBURG HOUSE
Mr. Raymond Bamburg was Alexandria Senior High’s first principal. In 1969, when ASH opened, he helped to create a school that accepted and celebrated a student, regardless of his or her background. His vision was that everyone who attended ASH could find a place, a home. Mr. Bamburg set a standard for excellence at ASH and held his faculty, staff, and student body to that standard.
SMITH HOUSE
Mr. Robert Smith joined the teaching staff at Alexandria Senior High in the fall of 1972. He was a member of the business and Social Studies departments, eventually becoming the Social Studies department chair. As sponsor for the Junior Volunteers, it grew to be of ASH’s largest service organizations. He enlisted students into African American Quiz Bowl and drove them to victory almost every year. Most impressive about Mr. Smith was that he made every student, past or present accountable. Mr. Smith believed that everyone was capable of hard work and succeeding.
STOKER HOUSE
Mr. J.L. “Butch” Stoker joined the Trojan coaching staff in 1977. He remained at ASH for 32 seasons as head football coach and athletic director. He impressed upon his players the importance of education. Coach Stoker always said that academics come first. He believed that Trojans should represent themselves and their school in a respectable manner. “Simply the Best” was how Coach Stoker described ASH. He helped design the iconic Alexandria Senior High logo that is still used today.
Freshman Class Officers
