Sugar Bowl

The Allstate Sugar Bowl awarded $100,000 in scholarship aid to six local student athletes through the organization’s Women in Sport Scholarship program presented by LCMC Health. Five scholarship checks for $15,000 and one $25,000 scholarship were presented at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Sports Awards Banquet presented by LCMC Health on Wednesday, June 24, in New Orleans.
 
Honorees were selected by the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee based on their athletic and academic success as well as their involvement in community service and an essay they wrote regarding why they felt they were deserving of an Allstate Sugar Bowl scholarship.
 
This year’s recipients were Sara Cordova (Isidore Newman School, $15,000), Addilyn Dufrene (John Curtis Christian School, $25,000), Stella Junius (Mount Carmel Academy, $15,000), Kaelyn Sharp (Covington High School, $15,000), Ja’Mia Washington (Eleanor McMain Secondary School, $15,000), and Abigail Willie (Northlake Christian School, $15,000).
 
"While we are very proud of the competition opportunities we offer the young people of this region, there's something else the Bowl does to impact our community," Busenlener said. "We provide significant scholarship money to deserving student-athletes from the area. Honoring young student-athletes for their hard work and dedication is one of the most rewarding initiatives of the Sugar Bowl Committee."
 
Sara Cordova helped her soccer team to the state championship game three times while winning the championship twice. She was an all-metro selection and the team MVP. A New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation Scholar, she also volunteered as a youth soccer coach, she worked for her school’s literary magazine, and she was a youth leader for her church. She will attend Sewanee: The University of the South.
 
Addilyn Dufrene was a two-sport star in volleyball and track and field. She earned all-district honors in both sports and was the state champion in the high jump. A member of the National Honor Society, she was also in FCA, the Spirit Club and the Student Council. She will compete in track and field while studying exercise science at Tulane University.
 
Stella Junius was a three-sport athlete who won a total of 14 letters during her high school career. While she helped her soccer team to a state championship and was an all-state selection, she truly made her mark in track and cross country, establishing herself as one of the top distance runners in school history. In addition to athletics, she contributed over 500 hours of volunteer service at youth camps, she served as a school ambassador, and she was a member of student government. She will continue her running career as a student at LSU this fall.
 
Kaelyn Sharp earned a total of eight varsity letters in track & field and volleyball. She was a three-time team captain and a four-year all-district selection in volleyball. She was also a member of the “A” Honor Roll for all four years of high school and was selected as one of the top students at her school. She will play volleyball at Southeastern Louisiana this fall.
 
Ja’Mia Washington is one of the more well-rounded students in New Orleans. In addition to being a standout softball player, serving as team captain and earning all-district recognition, she was her senior class valedictorian, she was president of the Inspire Nola Schools Student Leadership group, and president of her school’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program. She also volunteered as a Big Sister and held down a part-time job. She plans to continue her efforts this fall at the University of Texas.
 
Abigail Willie lettered in four different sports and earned all-district honors in three of them. She led her teams to multiple state championships, and she was her school’s Athlete of the Year. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the FCA, and the ACT 30+ Club, while volunteering with the Miracle League and with No Heart Left Behind. She will attend Millsaps College this fall.
 
Since 2020, the Sugar Bowl Committee has given out $390,000 in Women in Sport Scholarships to 37 deserving student athletes.
 

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On August 2, 2025, the Allstate Sugar Bowl presented six local student athletes with $10,000 scholarships through the organization's Women in Sport Scholarship program presented by LCMC Health. Honorees were selected by the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee based on their athletic and academic success as well as their involvement in community service and an essay they wrote regarding why they felt they were deserving of an Allstate Sugar Bowl scholarship. 

The 2025 recipients were Jenna Eaton (Riverdale High School), Elizabeth Hamilton (Archbishop Chapelle High School), Jaime Harper (Thomas Jefferson Academy), Julia Jenkins (Covington High School), Reagan Robinson (Slidell High School), and Kasia Rodriguez (Pope John Paul II High School).
 
Jenna Eaton was a standout outside hitter and captain of the Riverdale volleyball team. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Superintendent's Breakfast of Champions, while also serving on the Student Council and in the Beta Club. Also a volunteer coach in soccer and softball and a volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank, Eaton plans to attend LSU in the fall.
 
Elizabeth Hamilton earned six letters in bowling and swimming at Archbishop Chapelle. This past spring, she captured the individual bowling state championship while also leading the Chipmunks to the LHSAA team championship. A four-time all-district selection in bowling, she was a five-year member of the Distinguished Honor Roll and was selected as Chapelle's Student of the Year for 2024-25. Hamilton plans to attend LSU this fall.
 
Jaime Harper was a three-year letter winner in volleyball at Thomas Jefferson while also serving as a two-time team captain. She qualified for the Honor Roll in every semester of high school while earning more than 15 dual-enrollment credits. A four-year member of the Student Council, she also served as the Senior Class Secretary while volunteering as a youth volleyball coach and a Catholic Church usher. Harper plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana this fall.
 
Julia Jenkins earned a total of eight varsity letters in track & field and volleyball and served as team captain for both sports at Covington. An all-district selection in volleyball, she won a state championship in the long jump and finished second in the high jump. She was also a four-year member of the Covington Honor Roll, a member of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes, and a volunteer at the Senior Olympics and at St. Benedict's Catholic Church. Jenkins plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana this fall.
 
Reagan Robinson was a two-time all-state volleyball player at Slidell High School. She was also selected for the LHSAA Coaches All-Star team after keying the Tigers' run to the LHSAA Division 1 state championship this year. A four-year letterwinner and team captain, she was also named to the Principal's Honor Roll, served as a volunteer coach and completed an internship with a junior high school special education program. She plans to attend Southwest Mississippi Community College this fall.
 
Kasia Rodriguez earned all-district honors and was named to the LHSAA Softball All-Star Team for Pope John Paul II. She served as team captain for softball and volleyball and was a four-year letterwinner in both sports. A volunteer with the Special Olympics and at the Louisiana Veterans Festival, she was also a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council and was the winner of her school's Alumni Legacy Scholarship. She plans to play softball at William Carey University.
 

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At the Allstate Sugar Bowl Sports Awards Banquet on August 3, 2024, the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, with the support of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, selected six standout student-athletes to receive Women in Sport Scholarships for 2024. These six student-athletes were presented with $10,000 scholarships.

Honorees were selected based on their athletic and academic success as well as their involvement in community service and an essay they wrote regarding why they felt they were deserving of an Allstate Sugar Bowl scholarship. 

Since 2020, the Sugar Bowl Committee has given out $230,000 in Women in Sport Scholarships to 25 deserving student athletes.

This year’s recipients are Kayla Benedic (Pope John Paul II), Camryn Chatellier (St. Mary’s Dominican High School), Nadia Jones (Louise S. McGehee School), Jaeshaun Martin (Riverdale High School), Addison Riddell (Lakeshore High School), and Zoe Zechenelly (Pearl River High School).
 
Kayla Benedic was a five-year letterwinner in volleyball and softball for Pope John Paul II. She earned all-state honors and was named the district MVP in both sports. A member of the National Honor Society, a student ambassador, and executive board president, she will attend William Carey University on a partial athletic scholarship to play softball and volleyball. 
 
Camryn Chatellier lettered four years and was a team captain for the St. Mary’s Dominican volleyball team. She was named the 2023 Louisiana Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year and is the 2023-24 New Orleans Female Amateur Athlete of the Year. She also earned Honor Roll recognition in all four years of high school and was president of the Intramural Club. She has signed to play beach volleyball at LSU.
 
Nadia Jones earned a total of 14 varsity letters in track & field, volleyball, softball and basketball for Louise S. McGehee School. She earned all-district in volleyball and served as a team captain for the track & field and volleyball teams. In addition, she was honored as the Letter Sweater recipient, which is the highest honor bestowed on an athlete at McGehee. She will attend Tuskegee University. 
 
A three-sport athlete for Riverdale High School, Jaeshaun Martin earned four varsity letters and served two years as the basketball team captain. A member of the National Honor Society and head of the school’s daily news broadcast, she was awarded the Principal’s Award at graduation for her outstanding leadership, service and involvement. She was an honor roll student and was named the Jefferson Parish Student-Athlete for the Second Quarter. She will attend Nicholls University. 
 
Addison Riddell was an all-state soccer standout at Lakeshore High School. She also served as the captain of the swimming team for two years as she earned a total of seven varsity letters. She was named to the LHSAA Academic All-State teams for soccer and swimming and served as president of Mu Alpha Theta. She will attend the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. 
 
Zoe Zechenelly (represented in above picture by her sister Ella Rose) was a four-year letterwinner in four sports for Pearl River High School. She was named all-district first team and all state honorable mention in basketball while also competing for the cross country, tennis and volleyball teams. She was president of the National Honor Society and received the National Army ROTC scholarship.  She was one of 250 selected out of 15,000 to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School where after the 10 month training, she will attend the United States Naval Academy.
 

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At the 2023 Allstate Sugar Bowl Sports Awards Banquet, the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee and the Allstate Sugar Bowl presented $10,000 scholarship checks to six standout student-athletes as part of the Women in Sport Scholarships initiative.

Alex Bremond lettered in soccer, tennis, and track and field for Pope John Paul II. She earned all-state honors in soccer and advanced to the state tournament in tennis doubles. A member of the National Honor Society, she earned multiple honors for her French language skills. She will attend Millsaps College and be a part of the Majors’ soccer team

Alayna Cardenal was a four-year letterwinner and a team captain for both the softball and dance teams at Thomas Jefferson Academy. She earned “A” Honor Roll recognition in all four years of high school and was a member of the National Honor Society. She will attend the University of South Alabama.

Molly Mangiapane earned a total of 13 varsity letters in basketball, cross country, and track and field for Archbishop Chapelle while earning LHSAA All-Academic recognition in all three sports. She graduated with a 4.63 grade-point average and was also very active in community service. She will attend LSU.

A star volleyball player for Isidore Newman, Zaria Nelson earned all-state honors twice and helped the Greenies to the 2022 Louisiana state championship. She also played basketball and ran track while being selected for the National Honor Society. Nelson will attend LSU.

Kiersten Taylor was a standout soccer player and cross-country runner at Pearl River High School. She was all-state in soccer and set the school record for the 5K in cross country. She also earned a President’s Award for Educational Excellence from the U.S. Department of Education. She will attend Mississippi College for Women.

Lindsey Wickersham starred for the Mount Carmel volleyball team, earning all-state honors twice. Also an all-metro and all-district selection, she helped the Cubs to two state finals appearances. She will attend UAB and will be a part of the Blazers’ beach volleyball team.
 

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In 2022, the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee and the Allstate Sugar Bowl, selected five standout student-athletes to receive Women in Sport Scholarships. Those five standouts received $10,000 scholarships at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Sports Awards Banquet.

Sarah Amacker was a standout in two sports, lettering in cross country and powerlifting for Northlake Christian. She won multiple district championships and multiple state championships and was also selected to the LHSAA All-Academic teams. She graduated with a 4.47 grade-point average and will attend Texas A&M.

Sophie Brodtmann lettered in volleyball and soccer for Cabrini High School. She earned all-district honors in soccer and helped her volleyball team to three state title matches, winning the championship in 2019. She also served on the student council and graduated as her school’s valedictorian with a 4.7 grade-point average. She will attend the University of Alabama.

Isabelle Foret was a five-year member of the Ursuline Academy tennis team serving as a team captain for her last two years. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the student council and the Key Club and was very active in helping younger students throughout her time in school. She graduated with a 4.48 grade-point average and will attend the University of Louisiana this fall. 

Kaelyn Hardrick lettered for four years in both volleyball and softball at Slidell High School and earned academic all-state honors for both sports. She was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta. She graduated with a 4.46 grade-point average and will attend Tuskegee University.

Kelsey Major became the first person, male or female, to be named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in two sports as she was honored for both soccer and cross country. She was also an all-academic selection and a member of four different National Honor Societies. She graduated from Dominican with a 4.0 grade-point average and will play soccer at LSU this fall.

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