Third Place National Finish
Five University View Academy students are members of a team that placed 3rd in a national competition for mapping using geographic information system software. The eight-member team is from the Greater Baton Rouge Region 4-H Tech Club led by Hunter Gravois of University View Academy. The club is sponsored by the Baton Rouge-based Global Geospatial Insititute. The team entry was entitled GIS Tips and Tricks Story Map and will provide future users and students with support for GIS industry-based certification courses. GIS is used in everyday life. For example, pest control is essential to agricultural production and GIS technology plays a vital role in mapping infested areas to develop more effective pest management plans. Another use is by the government to map flood risk areas to coordinate relief efforts. It’s even used to recreate car crashes by police agencies and insurance companies. The 3rd place finish earned Gravois a trip to a national conference in San Diego and a spot on the 4-H national GIS/GPS Leadership Team.
Team Members are:
- Vibriyogn Epuri, of Tangipahoa Parish, Southeastern Louisiana University
- Hannah Gravois, of Ascension Parish, University View Academy
- Hunter Gravois, of East Baton Rouge Parish, University View Academy, and LSU
- Jolie Gunter, of Livingston Parish, Walker High School
- Aaliyah Lampley, of West Baton Rouge Parish, University View Academy
- Angel Moore, of West Baton Rouge Parish, University View Academy
- Andre Laurent, of East Baton Rouge Parish, University View Academy
- Susanna Shields, of East Baton Rouge Parish, St. Joseph Academy
Contributing content was Tre’vion Washington, of East Baton Rouge Parish, a student at Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Franciscan High School; Fran Harvey, founder of the Baton Rouge-based Global Geospatial Institute; and Gabriele Richardson, a professor of geography and anthropology at LSU.
The adult leaders were Harvey and University View Academy teacher Joan McGee. Team members Hunter Gravois and Andre Laurent were also members of a state team that won the Louisiana GIS competition and were awarded $100 each.