Knightly News

Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Episcopal Webster Scholars!

Madeline (Maddie) Falcon

Described as “smart, overachieving, an entrepreneur, compassionate, creative and supportive,” Maddie Falcon looks forward to taking advantage of all that Episcopal has to offer. “I truly feel Episcopal offers excellent guidance and preparation for not just college but success in the real world,” she stated. Maddie is a well-rounded student, placing second in her age group in the Ernest J. Gaines Student Author Competition, winning the recent Knights of Columbus Patriotic Essay Contest and serving on the Student Council Executive Committee at St. Thomas More Catholic School. She earned the highest marks possible in the Grace Notes Violin Competition and has been awarded numerous academic honors. Maddie also plays travel softball and participates in Youth Legislature, Quiz Bowl, Math Counts and Spanish Club.

Maddie is rooted in her faith and is an altar server at her church. She was also recognized by her school’s Beta Club for the number of service hours she has completed. She says in life, she has learned to “keep your faith strong, and the light is always brighter at the end of the tunnel.” Maddie strives to make positive change and recently led an effort to have Red Ribbon Week reinstated at St. Thomas More. She started a petition and wrote an essay explaining the importance of this effort. “The petition raised awareness and gave our student body a voice,” says Maddie. Ultimately, the effort led to new experiences and the continuation of traditions and awareness activities.

After attending Episcopal summer camps and assisting with an Episcopal chemistry camp last year, Maddie looks forward to being a student on the Episcopal campus. “I have been extremely impressed with the school’s academic programs, including the math and science,” she says. Maddie also looks forward to being involved in the Episcopal arts program. “The art program is well fitted to suit almost everyone and also allows for experiments with different styles and mediums.” Maddie also appreciates the assistance and support Episcopal students receive throughout the college selection process.

Leia Weng

Since becoming an Episcopal student in seventh grade, Leia has thrived. “My favorite part of attending Episcopal is the community and environment here,” she says. “When I first arrived, what shocked me most was how kind and supportive everyone was to each other, something I had wished to see in previous schools. The teachers, too, sincerely want for their students to succeed, not just in academics but in life.”

Leia says friends describe her as “empathetic, mostly logical.” An important lesson Leia has learned about herself is “to be the person I wish to see. To not wait around for someone to step out, do something, or be something, but do or be that something” yourself. For Leia, this determination applies not only to exploring climate change but also to life. “That thought began to appear in more of my day-to-day situations, eventually becoming a mantra to bring myself resolve.” In addition, Leia recently joined the Episcopal No Place for Hate committee and says the group demonstrates “the moral development aspect of Episcopal’s mission as it was formed to prevent hate and any negative consequences that might stem from that. People in the committee learn about leadership and the positive ways to influence their community.”

Leia is strong academically and artistically. She is a recent Episcopal Penniman Award recipient and placed in the top three in a Baton Rouge Clinic-hosted art competition. She has scored superior for three consecutive years on the piano in the National Federation of Music Clubs solo and duet festival. For two years now, she has been recognized with above 90 scores on all four sections of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association Piano Rally and won second place in the 2023 Rally.

Webster Scholars Award Honors Episcopal Legend
Webster Scholars are bright and motivated rising ninth grade students who distinguish themselves as academic and community leaders. This is the most prestigious award granted by Episcopal. Recognition is based on GPA, ACT scores, a student statement, a writing sample, teacher recommendations, demonstrated leadership skills and an interview with school administrators.

The Webster Scholars program is named for Episcopal’s first Head of School, the Rev. Ralph Webster. Father Webster was instrumental in establishing Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, calling it a “bold new venture.” Honoring outstanding students with the Webster Scholars Award continues that bold vision by ensuring that bright and motivated students have the opportunity to grow academically, artistically, athletically and spiritually. 

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.