Caddo Parish recognizes summer Fast Forward students who earned industry credentials
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Summary
At the Aug. 19 executive committee meeting the district recognized students who completed the Fast Forward summer program, citing about 270 applicants and 90 accepted; several students earned advanced Automotive Service Excellence and Adobe video certifications, including one student who earned all 10 ASE credentials.
Caddo Parish School Board staff and community partners honored students Aug. 19 who completed the Fast Forward summer program, a district initiative that lets students earn academic credit, industry‑based credentials and paid work‑based learning during the summer.
Director of workforce development Jessica Bogosian told the board the program drew about 270 applicants and accepted roughly 90 students this year. The board recognized students who earned “advanced” industry credentials in three career‑technical areas.
In auto‑body repair, Joshua Brannigan (CVA) earned four Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) credentials; Gabriel Coleman (Magnet) earned four ASEs; Taylen Harris (Huntington) earned three; and Richard Toole (Magnet) earned four. In automotive technology, O. L. Green (Magnet) earned eight ASEs; Nayan Hearn (Captain Shreve) earned four; Connor Bush (Northwood) earned nine; and Landon Tipton (Northwood) earned all 10 ASEs offered by the program. In digital media, LaPrecious Hovley (Magnet), Hamza Saddique (Captain Shreve) and Destiny Webb (Byrd) earned advanced Adobe video certifications requiring both Premiere Pro and After Effects.
Bogosian and staff credited the results to student effort and instructor support. Bogosian called the program “highly coveted” and noted the speed of completion: students in roughly three‑and‑a‑half weeks earned advanced credentials normally associated with longer course sequences. The board also acknowledged the teachers and staff who run the program, including instructors identified in the meeting as Mr. Shepherd (auto body), Mr. Evans and Mr. Oliver (automotive technology), and Mr. Tremay (digital media), as well as program manager Penny Culp and principals who supported student participation.
The board praised the program as part of a district effort to expand work‑based learning, internships and industry partnerships. District leaders said the program both provides students with credentials employers recognize and supports local workforce development strategies.
No formal board action was recorded on the program at the Aug. 19 executive committee session; the event was a recognition and informational presentation.
