Author: Emily Gautreaux

Apple Recognizes UL Lafayette Student

A press release by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette outlines that 2020 student Joesph Kokenge has caught the eye of tech giant, Apple.  Kokenge noted that he continually gave his high school computer science assignments considerably more attention than other subjects, by his own admission. In the article, Kokenge remarks, ““I found myself wanting to do more computer science homework, and trying to find ways to get around doing social studies, science and math homework. So, I told myself, ‘You know what, I enjoy doing this so much I should probably pursue this in college.”

The UL Lafayette senior is 21 years old and majoring in computer science, with a specific concentration in big data and cloud computing, and according to acclaimed technology titan Apple, Inc, he evidently made the right choice. The technology company has named Kokenge alongside 350 students from 41 countries as winners of its “Swift Student Challenge,” which is held in conjunction with the Apple 2020 Worldwide Developers conference.

The program requires its tens of thousands of student participants who enter to develop a virtual environment on Apple’s Swift Playground App, which teaches its users how to code, the process of creating instructions for computers using programming languages.

Kokenge created the “Secure Hashing Algorithm Crash Course,” which is a virtual playground that is focused on cybersecurity. The concept of Hashing involves using algorithms to convert passwords into a “hash,” or a string of characters helping to keep passwords secure.

Apple’s playground app offers another feature for an additional security measure, says Kokenge, “it basically walks someone through how to go from just having a password that’s hashed, to what’s called ‘salting the password.’”

He explained, “You basically add few random letters at the end, and that makes the password a lot harder to crack.”

The Swift Student Challenge isn’t the first time Kokenge’s prowess and technological acumen has earned national attention, as at just the age of 18, he was featured in a Wall Street Journal article about entrepreneurial teenagers making big bucks by repairing iPhones. Kokenge, who watched YouTube videos in order to learn the process, charged anywhere from $50 to $200 to repair cracked phone screens.

Additionally, he developed several applications that have since been published by Apple’s official App Store, their digital distribution platform. One app enables people to submit prayer requests and get matched with another person with whom they will pray for 24 hours.

His latest app, which was only published this summer, is called “Dinner Decider;” it enables a group of people to generate a data-driven, anonymous consensus as to where the majority wants to dine, solving the frequent supper-time stresser.

“People are often reluctant to share their preferences verbally, so the app is designed to provide a way around that,” he explained.

Kokenge, who anticipates graduating in Spring 2021, plans to work for a small computer company to “get experience and learn,” then would like to move on to a larger one such as “Apple, Google, or Microsoft.”

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Bread and Pastries to Start Your Day

For those who often only indulge in bread and pastries on the weekends or in front of the tantalizing coffee store counter, these irresistible morning wake-up call recipes, provided by Martha Stewart, are sure to have you hopping out of bed and into a great mood.

Blueberry Toaster Pastries

Beyond the familiar, airy crust and fruity interior, these sweet treats have very little in common with their grocery story siblings, though they can be just as convenient by preparing and freezing a batch in advance. These toaster pastries are packed with a blueberry filling that’s zesty, and they are drizzled and coated with a basic confectioners’ sugar glaze that will impress by its intense violet coloring alone. The glaze is made possible by ground freeze-dried blueberries and a smattering of sprinkles.

Herb-Cheddar Scones

Adding savory delicacies to your morning routine is always advised with these cheesy scallion-and-dill-flecked beauties, making this a new must-have vehicle for egg sandwiches that elevated a simple scramble into an unforgettable feasting. The buttery dough (that comes together without a mixer) is interfolded with herbs and sharp cheddar and showered before baking to create its crisp tops. For maximum enjoyment, serve with a swirl of butter and slice the dough into squares or wedges.

Biscuit Jelly Roll Pastry with Rhubarb and Raspberries

With this recipe, biscuits get a bold, golden, sweet makeover. Starting with a classic buttermilk-infused dough, rolled into a rectangle that’s blanketed with gorgeous pink filling and folded into thirds. Rather than bubbling in a pan on the stovetop, this jammy rhubarb-raspberry mixture is caramelized on a sheet pan in the oven and finished off with a dusting of sanding sugar to add a sparkly, sweet crunch.

Monkey Bread with Hazelnut-Chocolate Swirl

Monkey Bread is just what a lazy, leisure-filed morning necessitates. In this recipe, yeasted dough is rolled into tiny orbs, assembled in a bundt pan, and rising alongside your self once sipping your morning coffee. This treat’s deep chocolate-hazelnut notes come from generous drizzles of Nutella on the bottom of the pan and layered throughout. Do you prefer to sleep in? Work ahead of time, as this recipe actually benefits from an overnight ferment in the fridge, taking on a more robust flavor. The next day, bring it to room temperature and set it in the oven.

Apricot and Cream Cheese Squares 

This classic brunch favorite is inspired by the cheese-and-fruit danish, but this cheerful tray bake skips the often fussy pastry in favor of the focaccia dough, which requires far less maintenance. As for the plump apricots lining the tops of these savory, sweet squares, it’s preferred that you utilize jarred or canned fruit that have been poached in syrup, allowing their mellow flavor and silky texture to truly takeover.

Streusel Banana Bread

This is a beautiful union of two breakfast loves, coffee cake and banana bread. The nutty cinnamon and brown sugar topping perfects this moist loaf, providing a salty-sweet beat with every bite. This pastry treat is a perfect accompaniment for your pot of morning coffee.

For more delicious recipes and pastries, click here.

50-year-old Opelousas Time Capsule Opened

Opelousas city officials took a glance into their history this summer as they opened a not-forgotten time capsule buried 50 years ago in front of what is now the Police Department, reports an article by BRProud.com.

On June 14, 1970 in front of what was once the Opelousas City Hall on Court Street, the time capsule was buried by the 250th anniversary committee, and 50 years later, it was opened by Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor, City Council Members, and relatives of members of the 250th committee.

According to a press release from the city, the 1970 time capsules’s contents included a letter from the chairman of the time capsule committee, a letter from former Opelousas Mayor Wilfred Cortez, a key to the city, a letter and badge from former Sheriff Adler Ledoux, letters from various civic organizations and a package from the Chamber of Commerce containing a tour guide.

Despite many of the contents appearing to have some sort of water damage, there were many letters and artifacts still salvageable. Former Mayor Wilfred Cortez placed a key to the city that sat alongside  a badge from former Sheriff Adler Ledoux.

The City of Opelousas plans to work with preservation-related agencies in hopes of restoring some of the damaged memorabilia so that the items can be placed at the Opelousas Public Library for the town’s viewing, as was the capsule’s original intention. In order to celebrate the city’s 300th anniversary, another time capsule is scheduled to be buried later this year.

At the same event, officials took time to unveil a community mural for the city’s anniversary, titled “Tree of Life.” The mural features icons and symbols representing the city’s culture and heritage intertwined with an oak tree’s branches and roots. The project’s artist, Jerome Ford is a local accomplished artist and an instructor for St. Landry Parish School Board Talented & Visual Arts Program.

The mural was composed by having the design printed on six individual canvases, creating one large piece of artwork. Through a series of pop-up community panting events, approximately 100 people from the city helped to paint the mural, which was supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

In an interview conducted by KATC, Mayor Julius Alsandor said of the event, “History is our present. Our present will be our future.” Alsandor commented on the close-knit community at the unveiling by remarking that everyone “came together at a time when all of us need to be together.”

Also in attendance at this historic Opelousas event were residents Dr. Lucius Doucet, Gerald Emon, Sonny Ray and Becky Faul Diesi, who were part of the 250th time capsule burial fifty years ago.  Marceline Cortez Hrachovy, daughter of former Mayor of Opelousas Wilfred Cortez, shared a few remarks about the letter her father had placed in the time capsule.

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Louisiana Photographer’s Collection to be Displayed

On Tuesday, July 14, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana State Museum will unveil a new exhibition, titled, “A Colorful World in Black & White: Fonville Winans’ Photographs of Louisiana” at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge, reports MyNewOrleans.com.

“Louisiana is justly famous for its unique landscapes, its colorful politicians, and its hospitable people,” commented Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Fonville’s iconic and beautiful photographs document the past while reflecting the radiance and resiliency of Louisiana culture.”

Photographer and artist Theodore “Fonville” Winans possesses an intuitive eye for composition and a gifted ability to connect with his subjects in order to reveal both personality and sense of place, simultaneously.

Inspiration for the series comes from Winans’s history of navigating south Louisiana backroads and bayous during the early 1930’s. While traveling he documents many intriguing aspects of iconic Louisiana culture including Grand Isle’s Acadian fishing community, Crowley’s Rice Festival, Feliciana Parish’s annual fox hunt, Avery Island’s salt mine, and Angola State Penitentiary’s prisoners.

After his marriage in 1936, Winans and his bride, Helen Collins, settled in Baton Rouge, where they would raise a family and produce masterful photographs for half a century. Initially in his career, Winans worked as a state photographer who specialized in portraits of elected officials during Governor Earl Long’s tenure. He then transitioned into opening his own studio in 1940 on Laurel Street, becoming a wedding and portrait photographer. Winanas was known around the city and surrounding areas for his thoroughly friendly approach, causing generations of Baton Rouge brides throughout the decades to book him for their special day’s documentation.

Not just limited to his wedding photography, all of Winans’s work achieves an engaging blend of revelation and intimacy, and despite the rising popularity of color photography throughout his career, he mostly kept to the familiarity of black and white. Known as a sensitive and alert documentarian, Fonville Winans created a magnificent and monochromatic record of the colorful and vibrant Louisiana culture.

The Louisiana State Museum acquired the largest collection of Fonville Winans photographs in 1994, alongside camera equipments and memorabilia. The comprehensive exhibition includes more than 160 of Winans’s photographs of Louisiana  bayous, politicians, citizens, celebrities, and brides.

“A Colorful World in Black & White: Fonville Winans’ Photographs of Louisiana” will be on display at the Capitol Park Museum in downtown Baton Rouge.  The Exhibit’s unveiling begins on Tuesday, July 14 with a reception, free to the public, the opening celebratory festivities will be held from 5:00-7:00 with food and libations. The museum is located at 660 N. Fourth Street in Baton Rouge and is open between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission to the museum is $7 for adults, $6 for students, senior citizens, and active military, and free for children six and under. Visit LouisianaStateMuseum.org for more information. Guests are encouraged to wear masks and hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to the museum.

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Louisiana STEM Pathway Graduates Awarded

The Senior Class of 2020 has certainly had its share of challenges, but one group of 23 Louisiana seniors have completed rigorous STEM coursework, earning an impressive diploma endorsement. This news comes from a Louisiana Department of Education press release, in which the state’s first STEM cohort accomplished this admirable achievement.

State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley stated, “The Louisiana Department of Education applauds these students for being the first in the state to complete challenging sequences of STEM coursework and graduate with a diploma endorsement. “These students have shown they are ready to fill critical workforce needs in STEM career sectors. They are tomorrow’s computer programmers, process technicians, researchers, and medical professionals.”

This inaugural class of 23 Louisiana Seniors will earn a special endorsement on their diploma to mark the accomplishment of completing the rigorous STEM coursework, or coursework designed to prepare them to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math career fields.

Louisiana STEM Pathways was initially launched in 2016, and the program is a part of the Jump Start Initiative, Louisiana’s premiere, innovative career and technical education program (CTE). While Jump Start prepares students to lead productive adult lives, capable of continuing their education after high school while earning certifications in high-wage career sectors, the STEM Pathways specifically prepare students to seek a STEM degree in college or enter the workforce having earned certifications in high-wage career sectors. The program is designed for students seeking either a TOPS Tech Diploma or University Diploma, and they include biomedical, computing, cyber security, digital design and emergent media, pre-engineering, and pre-pharmacy.

Within just the 2019-2020 school year alone, more than 4,000 students among 81 Louisiana schools are enrolled in these STEM pathways, and more continue to join each year. After completing rigorous, challenging coursework, students are recognized and awarded with endorsements on their diplomas. Students completing four core courses in a single pathway are recognized with a silver endorsement, while those who go beyond the core coursework to complete four optional courses are recognized with a gold endorsement. OF this year’s crop of 23 graduated, 15 received silver and 8 eight received gold.

Sen. Sharon Hewitt (R-Slidell) sponsored the bill to create the STEM seal for high school students along with the state’s  LaSTEM Advisory Council. Hewill stated, “Over the next decade, Louisiana and the nation will see a surge in the number of job opportunities available in STEM fields. The Louisiana STEM Pathways represent one step forward in the state’s effort to better meet those workforce demands. We must continue to expand the program, as well as ensure students have exposure to STEM courses and credentials starting in elementary school and continued through college.”

Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed, who chairs the LaSTEM Advisory Council reported, “A 2018 report by ACT showed 51 percent of Louisiana students indicated having an interest in STEM majors and careers. By exposing our students to this coursework earlier in their education, we can position them for success in college and beyond and position our state for economic prosperity.”

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Ten Savory Recipes Ideal for the Backyard Grill

This summer, more and more families are relishing in the outdoor environment for entertainment, community, and of course, utilizing the backyard grill. Chef John, an acclaimed grill master shares over a dozen delicious grill-ready recipes as a part of an AllReceipes.com series. The recipes included in this series are ideal for a family and friends grilling event.

Grilled Five Spice Chicken

Chef John’s take on a popular Southeast Asian grilled chicken dish is composed of a marinade with five-spice seasoning, lime juice, ginger, garlic, chile sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. One look at the simple, yet brightly colored sauce will have you salivating at this classic, flavorful chicken.

Grilled Swordfish Bruschetta

Two simple, yet essential keys to this receipt are revealed by Chef John to unlock this dish’s optimal flavor. “First, add enough oil and vinegar to your tomatoes to make a good amount of ‘sauce’ with which to douse the grilled fish and bread. Second, grill the bread very well over the coals. It should be golden brown with distinctive charred grill marks. The bitter hit from these stripes of charred bread actually makes the tomatoes even sweeter and more delicious.” This swordfish is perfect for mixing things up when cooking on your backyard grill. 

Grilled Mongolian Pork Chops

These mongolian pork chops are made possible with a flavorful marinade that combines sweet, spicy, and sour ingredients, including three types of vinegar, hot sauce, and sugar. This marinade is ideal for thicker pork chops.

Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs

Great Korean short ribs really rely on thinly-sliced beef. These cuts will only be on the grill for a few hot minutes preside, and the key to succulent beef short ribs is the Asian pear marinade with rice vinegar, sherry wine, poison sauce, samba hot sauce, and sesame oil.

Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp

For this backyard grill recipe’s best flavor, it’s recommended that you obtain extra-large shrimp, so that, as Chef john says, “they can grill longer and get maximum caramelization.” This recipe includes a quickly-prepared, fresh herb sauce to drizzle over your grilled shrimp.

Grilled Game Hens

This receives simple marinade is made with jalapeño and habanero peppers, which bring real heat to this summer treat. If unable to find Cornish Hens, chicken drumsticks are substitute-friendly.

Grilled Lamb with Mint Orange Sauce

These story lamb chops are flavored with Mediterranean herbs and spices, inviting you to finish them off with orange marmalade, chili flakes, rice vinegar, and fresh mint for impeccable taste.  Perfect for the backyard grill and your family will think you are a 5 star chef. 

Grilled Greek Chicken

Simple grilled chicken isn’t bland, if prepared the right way, by maximizing flavor when incorporating a very powerful marinade and roasting the chicken over semi-indirect heat from the grill.

Laotian Grilled Chicken (Ping Gai)

This asian-inspired recipe for chicken marinade is composed of cilantro, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and pepper to produce a sweet, garlicky dipping sauce for unforgettable, flavorful backyard grilled chicken.

Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Spicy Mango Sauce

Top off this grilled mahi-mahi with a summer favorite, mango with with spicy has-inspired mango sauce. This sauce is quick to prepare and is perfectly spicy, brightly flavored, and versatile, as it’s just as delicious when paired with swordfish, salmon, tuna, or other fish and grilled meat.

For more delicious recipes and backyard grilling ideas, click here.