LAPLACE — A new tradition at LaPlace Elementary School celebrates college preparation as eighth graders prepare to enter high school.

Members of the eighth grade class were presented gold stoles in a recent ceremony.

The stoles represent the fact that students have completed their Individual Graduation Plans, have turned in the FERPA form for eligibility for TOPS, and that their teachers, administrators and counselor are getting them to start thinking about college even before they leave middle school.

“We did this because we want to set the stage for you,” Principal Zina Jones told the students.

“This is the first of many stoles you will receive. This stole sets where you’re going. It says that you’ve made the choice to move forward. You’ve made a choice to go to high school and do what it is you need to do. We are extremely proud of you all.”

Counselor Elizabeth Leatherwood has been meeting with eighth graders to talk about high school scheduling, provide an overview of what to expect in high school and remind them of how important their grades and state testing are during the last semester of eighth grade.

Students can enter high school with up to five high school credits.

Those credits are available in Algebra I, French I, Introduction to Business Computer Applications, Computer Literacy and Career Readiness.

“Having high school credits before they enter high school frees up space in the students’ schedules during their junior and senior years to take college credit classes for free in St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools,” Leatherwood said.

Students have also been reviewing the two Louisiana diploma plans, TOPS University and Jump Start TOPS tech, which make them eligible for scholarships.

“You’re the Class of 2023,” said St. John the Baptist Parish School Board member Debbie Schum, the guest speaker for the event.

“That sounds like it might be a long way away but it’s not, because it starts the minute you walk through the door at your high school.”