May 2026: Most Valuable Players
These team members have been nominated by their colleagues for demonstrating our core values in their work!
Kawanda Stewart, Custodian 2: INTEGRITY, RESPECT, SERVICE
“One of Kawanda's custodians was cleaning my office and accidentally broke one of my decorations while dusting. Kawanda left me a very apologetic note letting me know what happened and also took responsibility for it even though she was not the one who broke my decoration. This speaks volumes about Kawanda's character. She consistently goes above and beyond in a thankless job that is an act of service, does so with the utmost respect for all around her, and displayed admirable integrity. We are lucky to have someone as valuable as Kawanda on our team.” ~Nominated by Kevin Inlow
Houston Franks, Assistant Track & Field Coach: EXCELLENCE, PERSERVERANCE, SERVICE
“It was a day of biblical, almost rapture-like weather. It was the day of May 8, day 2 of the LHSAA State Meet, hosted at historic Bernie Moore Track. As the water rose, arcs were being built. The facility, became more and more filled with water. Ankle deep standing water with no where to go. It also meant that the fine wood chips and leaves that blanket the areas around the track, floated into drains and across the rubberized competition surface. It was bad. Really really bad. Getting it cleaned up and into some form of a safe and usable facility was going to be a mammoth undertaking.
As the waters finally dissipated and clean up could begin, I noticed a lone figure, broom in hand, ready to take action. Did he have on a cape, not quite, but almost. It was a rain jacket. It was Houston Franks. Ready to lead the charge of workers and volunteers with brooms and rakes. We all filed into line behind him and watched as he used one of the most efficient push broom techniques ever seen. It was a clinic. Like ants marching to a picnic we fell in line behind him, replicating his every move. Pushing water soaked leaves and mulch off the track. If it was a competition for clean up, gold medals were to be had. After the preliminary clean up, it was followed by what is easily the most dominant facility crew in the SEC, with their blowers. More on them in a separate nomination…
100's of high school athletes got to experience the thrill of competing in the State Championship that day. Many places would've pulled the plug, ruining that chance. But not the LHSAA, because of the support and work they knew they had in secret weapons like Houston and our facility group.
Houston is the secret weapon of the success of the LHSAA State Track and Field Championships and that is Most VALUEable worthy!” ~Nominated by Todd Lane
Savannah May, Assistant Director of Athletic Operations: EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, PERSERVERANCE, SERVICE
“In our society, we celebrate fictional characters who bring us joy throughout the year. I'm talking Santa Clause, Cupid, the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny type characters. We have a real life joy maker amongst us and we should make May 8th her day. Yes, Savannah May.
The LHSAA State track and field championships were hosted at historic Bernie Moore track and field stadium. Savannah is the lead for LSU with the LHSAA. It's some really really long days. As has been mentioned in other nominations, it rained more than any place on earth has ever experienced. And with that rain came a mess, a big mess.
Savannah, being the happy, calm person she is, rolled right along with it. She rallied the national champion facility group and got to work cleaning up that mess. She also handled moving of events and people into the equally as historic Carl Maddox Fieldhouse. All done with ease, a smile on her face and super organization. It was wet, cold and overwhelming. But when you’re Savannah May, you are unfazed. You're locked in on the job. You are calm.
That day of the State Meet ended successfully around 10:00pm with many coaches, athletes and parents so pleased that it was even able to happen.
It is with great respect that I nominate Savannah May for Most VALUEable Player and also that May 8 forever be known as Savannah May Day.” ~Nominated by Todd Lane
