COPE COUGARS SURPRISE PRINCIPAL ON FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

  Judy Grooms was excited about starting the new school year and welcoming students to Cope Middle School. What she was not expecting was to be the center of excitement, but she was at an afternoon back to school rally. 

  Over the summer Grooms was named Middle School Principal of the Year for the state of Louisiana, a prestigious honor that is not taken lightly. The winner not only advances to a national competition, but also represents Louisiana at the White House. This fall, Grooms will shake hands with the president when she is recognized for being the best of the best. 

  It is an honor that could not go unnoticed or celebrated on the first day of school -- and Grooms' faculty and staff made sure they did it with fanfare. Television cameras swarmed around Grooms, Superintendent D.C. Machen delivered a special message and Louisiana Representative Jeff Thompson presented Grooms with a commendation from the legislature and a state flag that flew over the capitol in Baton Rouge. 

  Cope's cheerleaders, mascots and dance line also performed and unfurled a banner to hang at the school, touting the title their principal holds.

  When it was Grooms' turn to speak, she would not take sole credit for her win. Instead, she heaped the praise on her students, faculty and staff, parents and the community and tearfully thanked her husband and family for their support.

  It was a great way to start the first day at Cope Middle School, and undoubtedly many more great days are yet to come.