Senator Troy Brown believes in the importance of an education or an acquisition of a skill. Sen. Brown established the Troy E. Brown Scholarship to reward students for academic excellence. The criteria for the scholarship includes a minimum of 3.0 grade point average, involvement in extracurricular activities, special achievements and honors, and a 500-word detailed essay describing the student’s contribution to his/her community after completing his/her education.

Senator Brown’s panel of judges, a team of retired school teachers, current school teachers, and school board members of District 2, reviewed the applications submitted and selected the most qualified candidates. Sen. Brown will alternate the scholarship to different schools each year throughout his term.

The local 2012 recipients of the Troy E. Brown Scholarships are:

• Coi Michael Duronslet, son of Steven and Rona Duronslet of Edgard, attends West St. John High School and has a 3.396 gpa. Duronslet plans to major in pharmacy at Louisiana University at Monroe.

• Brookes Washington, daughter of Norris and Christine Washington of St. James, attends St. James High School and has a 4.250 gpa. Washington plans to major in pre-med at Louisiana State University.