Knightly News

Episcopal’s Youth Legislature team shined at the state conference this year!  Bills authored by Joey Roth and Kathy Hu as well as those by Hayden Singh and Ramsey Claire Greene, Savanna Baker and Mia Pulliam were all passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. Twelfth grader Thomas O’Connor was selected as the “Outstanding Delegate” for his Senate chamber, and eleventh grader Ramsey Claire Greene was chosen as “Outstanding Delegate” in her House chamber. Eleventh grader Riley Posey was elected House Speaker Pro Tempore and tenth grader Miniya Malone was elected by her peers to serve as House leader for next year’s session. Senior Mia Pulliam’s bill made it out of committee and was one of only four bills debated at the plenary session by the full conference on Saturday morning. After a lively debate, Pulliam’s bill was passed on Saturday and approved by a large majority of the state senators and representatives. 

Students prepared bills that were debated in either Senate or House committees on Thursday evening. Senior Thomas O’Connor’s bill expanding school choice was one of five Episcopal bills passed out of committee, but O’Connor’s bill unfortunately narrowly failed to pass his Senate chamber. Students served either in the House or Senate and engaged in spirited debate over bills that covered a range of topics. On Friday students debated bills in their respective chambers and also voted in elections to decide who will lead next year’s conference and serve on the state board. At least two Episcopal students will serve on the state board next year, as Riley Posey and Miniya Malone were both elected to leadership positions in the State House of Representatives.

Episcopal’s Youth Legislature team included ninth graders Adam Chittom, Maeve Dolan, Meredith Hill, and Sofia Leo; tenth graders Ryder Bond, Savanna Baker, and Miniya Malone; eleventh graders John Luke Boagni, Ella Chapman, Grace Ciesielski, Isabella Civello, Ramsey Claire Greene, Glynes Hill, Riley Posey, and Hayden Singh; seniors Thomas O’Connor, Shreya Kamath, Carter McLean, and Sarah Theriot. The club has been ably led by seniors Thomas O’Connor and Carter MacLean this year as co-presidents. This was the seventh year of sponsoring the Youth Legislature club for Dr. Kuhn and Dr. Way.

The three-day conference took place at the Holiday Inn South in Baton Rouge. The conference normally includes a day spent at the state legislature, where we hope to return next year after renovations are completed at the capitol building. In March 2023, Episcopal students interested in debating public policy will have a chance to help solve global problems at the Model United Nations conference. 

Elected to serve next year as House Speaker Pro Tempore:

Riley Posey

Elected to serve next year as House Floor Leader:

Miniya Malone

Selected as "Outstanding Delegate" in Senate Chamber:

Thomas O'Connor

Selected as "Outstanding Delegate" in House Chamber:

Ramsey Claire Greene

Bill Debated by Full Plenary Session and Approved:

Mia Pulliam

Bills Passed by Full Legislature and Signed by Governor:

Joey Roth & Kathy Hu

Hayden Singh & Ramsey Claire Greene

Savanna Baker

Bills Passed Out of Committee:

Thomas O’Connor

Dr. Edwin Way

Dr. Edwin Way is an Upper School social studies teacher.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics with high honors from Swarthmore College as well as a Master of Arts in East Asian studies from the University of Oregon. In addition, he completed a PhD in political science from Indiana University, Bloomington. He grew up overseas living in Egypt, Burkina Faso and Denmark, and worked and taught for a number of years in China. Edwin has taught at both the secondary and university level, and led several groups of college students on study abroad experiences in eastern China. 

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.