News Post

Seven St. Joseph’s Academy seniors signed their national letters of intent on December 10 and will compete on the collegiate level next year. The signing ceremony was held in the Academy Student Center and attended by a large gathering of family members, teammates, friends, faculty/staff members and coaches.

Alyssa Wilson will play soccer at Belhaven University. Ava Koehl will play beach volleyball at Florida Atlantic University, and Molly Perry will play beach volleyball at the University of New Orleans. Kaylie McKinney will join the volleyball team at Blinn College, and Lyla Roper will swim for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Ella Mancuso will join the tennis team at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Cecilia Bookman will play softball at Louisiana Christian College.

Bookman was a first-team All-District selection in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with her senior season yet to be played. She won the SJA Defensive Award in 2022 and the Coaches’ Award in 2023 and 2024. “I am most looking forward to playing softball against the toughest competition I will see and making lifelong friends,” she said. “I am also looking forward to challenging myself more than ever in all aspects.”

Bookman was joined at the signing ceremony by her mother, Robin Levy; father and stepmother, Jay and Allie Bookman; brother Ben Bookman; and grandparents Ellen and Larry Gilmore and Judith and Robert Levy. SJA softball coaches Amanda Henley, Ron Porche and Cammie D’Amico, and club coaches Kenney Wilson, Jeff Sullivan and Aubrey St. Angelo were also in attendance. “I could not have done it without my family and friends,” Bookman said of signing her scholarship papers surrounded by family, friends and coaches. “I am so lucky to have all of my people by my side supporting me as I become a collegiate athlete.”

Mancuso is the reigning LHSAA Division I state singles champion. She is a four-star prospect in the class of 2025 and is currently ranked 3rd in Louisiana, 29th in the south and 282nd in the nation by the USTA. She is a three-time All-Metro selection, with her senior season yet to be played. “What I’m most looking forward to as a collegiate athlete is the competitive and team environment I’ll be surrounded in,” she said. 

Mancuso was joined at the ceremony by her parents, Alecia and Nick Mancuso; sister Annaclaire Mancuso; grandparents Charlotte and Robert Ardoin and Mary and Jeff Mancuso; uncle Vincent Mancuso; and cousins Abbigale Ardoin and JJ Ardoin. Also joining her were SJA tennis coach Jonathan Howard, faculty moderator Cindy Downs and private coach Tony Minnis. “It meant so much that I had the people who helped me at every step of this process be there at my signing ceremony,” Mancuso said. “Without these people, I would not be where I am today.”

Wilson was named to the Freshman All-State Team in 2022 and to the All-District Team following her sophomore and junior years, with her senior season currently under way. She was SJA’s Offensive MVP as a freshman and Defensive MVP as a sophomore. “I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and starting this new chapter in my life, and I’m thankful that I get the opportunity to play at the next level,” Wilson said.

Joining Wilson at the ceremony were her parents, Kathie and Dwayne Wilson; grandparents Arlene and David Wilson; aunt and uncle Jackie and Geoff Wilson; SJA soccer coaches Kyle Carmouche and Kelly Hilliard; and club coach Kiran Booluck. “It showed the support system I have and have had throughout my whole life,” Wilson said. “I love each of them, and they will always have a special place in my heart.”

Koehl played volleyball for SJA as a freshman before joining TKN, the U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Her team finished first in the National Beach Prospects Recruitment Tournament. “I am most looking forward to playing with my teammates and getting to know them better and being a family with them,” she said of the next step on her athletic journey.  

Koehl was joined by her parents, Natalie and John Koehl; sister Anna Koehl; and club coach Drew Hamilton. “It meant a lot to me to sign with my family and friends because they have supported me throughout this whole process,” she said. “Having them around me and continuing to support me just made me happy.”

Perry is a three-year member of the SJA volleyball team, earning three varsity letters. She was named to the All-District Honorable Mention Team in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She was the Captain’s Award winner for 2023 and 2024 and the Sticker Strong Workout Award winner in 2023. “I am mostly looking forward to competing with such great athletes,” Perry said. “Everyone in the college realm is just like me: They have worked their entire lives to be able to compete there, so I am excited to get to compete against and with them. I am so excited for the challenge of everything.”

Joining Perry at the ceremony were her parents, Nicole and Ryan Perry; siblings Aubrey Perry and Preston Perry; grandparents Lorry and Shelton Perry and Ginger and Keith Fontenot; aunts and uncles Betty and Henry Pecue and Celeste Collins. Also joining her were SJA coaches Sivi Miller and Mel Miller and club coaches Joey Keener and Patrick Toney. “I think it is just so special to be surrounded by these people on this day,” Perry said. “Honestly, I feel like this really is not just an accomplishment for me but for everyone. Without my parents, I would never have the ride to practice or the comforting arms after a tough practice or game. Without my coaches, I would never have been pushed far out of my comfort zone to be able to get better. Without my grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends, I wouldn’t have the support system reminding me that I can do it on the toughest of days. I am just so thankful to them for everything they have done, and I hope they know how much they mean to me, especially on this day.”

McKinney, a four-year varsity letter winner, was an All-Metro and All-District Team selection in 2023 and 2024. She was SJA’s MVP in 2023 and was selected to the LHSCA/LVCA All-Star West Team in 2024. “I am most looking forward to living somewhere new and making new friendships,” McKinney said. “I am very excited for new opportunities and to see where I go next.”

McKinney was joined by her parents, Hollie and Michael McKinney; sister Cameryn Lucas; grandfather Billy McKinney; SJA coaches Sivi Miller and Mel Miller; and club coach Donna Pixley. “It felt very special being able to sign with the people I love most,” she said.

Roper was a member of the LHSAA Division I state championship team in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and the runner-up team in 2024. She was an All-Metro Team selection in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She is a USA Swimming sections and futures qualifier. “I can’t wait to compete and meet my new family for the next four years,” she said. “I am excited have another great group of swimmers around me.” 

Joining Roper at the signing were her parents, Marisa and Justin Roper; sister Meredith Roper; and aunt Lindy Lindenmayer. Also in attendance were SJA coaches Jimmy Roberts and Nan Murtagh and club coaches OJ Mesia and Daniel Zielinski.

WAFB and WBRZ covered the signing ceremony.

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director