L. W. Higgins High School

L. W. Higgins High School is a high school in Marrero, a community in unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is a part of the Jefferson Parish Public School System.

L. W. Higgins High School
Location
L. W. Higgins High School
L. W. Higgins High School
L. W. Higgins High School
Coordinates
Information
Staff54.00 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment1,302 (2017-18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio24.11[1]
Color(s)         
Team nameHurricanes

History

Although its physical plant was not completed until March 3, 1969, L. W. Higgins began its life as a Jefferson Parish Public School on August 28, 1968, with a population of 1,872 girls platooning on West Ok facility. In its early years, Higgins drew its population from the entire West Bank of Jefferson, reaching at one time a population of over 4,000, a figure which might well be a record for an all-girl, public high school.

Both 1974-75 and 1982-83 school years effected changes in the Higgins population. In 1974, the opening of John Ehret High School drew population from Gretna, parts of Harvey, and Marrero. In 1982, boys came to Higgins for the first time, and the boundaries changed again. Presently, Higgins serves between 1,500 and 1,600 boys and girls from Waggaman, Avondale, Bridge City, Westwego, and parts of Marrero.

L. W.Higgins was named in honor of Lemuel Wallace Higgins, a superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools for 24 years. Both of its founding administrators – Elaine Duvic, principal from 1968 to 1985 and Ruth Calzada, assistant principal from 1968 to 1984, established high standards for excellence in public education. Duvic was followed by Herb Roach, principal from 1984–89; Ruth Autin from 1989-91; Joseph Fennidy became principal June 1991. In 1994, while Fennidy was on a sabbatical leave, Joyce Duncan served as principal for the 1994-95 school year. Fennidy returned in 1995-96 school year and retired at the end of the 1997-98 school year, after 33 years of service in the Jefferson Parish school system. Starting the 1998-99 school year, Rita Foster became principal of L. W. Higgins High School. Into the new millennium, Kimberly Pazon became principal from 1999 to 2002. Carolyn Van Norman served as principal from January 2003 to January 2006. Germain Gilson served as principal from January 2006 to December 2008. In January 2009, David Lewis took over the reins at L. W. Higgins as principal. Randi Hindman is the acting principal as of the 2015–2016 school year.[2]

Athletics

L. W. Higgins has a strong athletics tradition in prep football. Wayne Meyers compiled a 112–76 record in 18 seasons as Higgins coach during which time the Hurricanes won five district championships and advanced to the state playoffs 11 times during his final 14 seasons. Wayne Meyers directed the Hurricanes to 11 winning seasons that included two advances to the state quarterfinals in 2008 and 2003 and seven regional playoff appearances. The Hurricanes only had four losing seasons under Meyers with those coming in his first and final two seasons. Higgins was 2-8 and 3-5 the past two seasons while not qualifying for the state playoffs. Higgins’ 10 victories in 2010 is another school record set on under Meyers’ tenure. That 10–2 team also won the last of Meyers’ five district championships. On November 7, 2013, Wayne Meyers resigned as L. W. Higgins head football coach at the request of Principal David Lewis.[3][4] Under Wayne Meyers' leadership at Higgins, Mark Schroeder (offensive coordinator) and Stephen Meyers (defensive coordinator) were the longest tenured offensive and defensive coordinators in Jefferson Parish.[5]

On December 27, 2013, Principal David Lewis hired Craig Laborde as the new head football coach for L. W. Higgins high school. Laborde, 49, replaced Wayne Meyers, the most successful football coach in the 32-year history of the Higgins program. Meyers resigned as coach at the request of Lewis on November 7 following a 2-8 season. Laborde brings four years of head coaching experience from three separate schools and seven years of coaching experience overall to his new post. He served nearly 15 years working in law enforcement as a Louisiana State Police Trooper before moving into education and coaching as the first head football coach at Miller-McCoy Academy in 2007. “I think he is outstanding,’’ Principal David Lewis said of the Marrero school’s new coach. “He did a phenomenal job in the interview process. He stood out above all of the other candidates. He has a great plan in place and that was the main thing I was looking for. I think he’ll do a great job at Higgins.[6] Skyler Green, a former standout player for former Head Coach Wayne Meyers and star Louisiana State University wide receiver, is listed as an assistant offensive football coach under Craig Laborde.

For the 2017-18 season Elden Irving was hired as the new head boys basketball coach. Irving attended Redeemer High School (New Orleans) and received numerous local, state, and national awards for his basketball talent. In 1984, Irving was named Mr. Basketball by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches. In January 2009, Irving was recognized as one of the area's top basketball athletes of all time by the Clarion Herald newspaper.

Irving attended Tulane University and later transferred to University of New Orleans where he finished his collegiate career.

After finishing college, Irving went on to play with numerous tour teams overseas. His best season was with Manitoba, Canada in which he led the Bobcats in scoring for two seasons.

Irving earned his Masters of Arts Degree in Urban Education from Southern University in New Orleans.

Extracurricular activities

Higgins also has band, pep squad, flag team and diamond dancers dance team.

Notable alumni
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References
  1. "L.W. Higgins High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  2. "L.W. Higgins High School — About Us". JPSchools.org. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  3. "Wayne Meyers resigns as Higgins football coach". NOLA.com. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  4. "Jefferson Parish football will miss Coach Meyers". ClarionHerald.info. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  5. "Belle Chasse football turns to Stephen Meyers to coach his alma mater". NOLA.com. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  6. Mike Strom (December 27, 2013). "Craig Laborde hired as head football coach at Higgins". NOLA.com. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
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