Celebrating the Class of 1979: A Milestone for Avoyelles Parish!

In May of 1979, a total of 548 students graduated from high schools across Avoyelles Parish, marking a milestone moment for communities throughout the area.

According to archives from The Greater Avoyelles Journal, 522 of those graduates came from the parish’s 11 public high schools, while 26 students graduated from St. Joseph’s parochial high school.

Marksville High School led the parish with 122 graduates, followed by Bunkie High School with 97. Bordelonville High School recorded the smallest graduating class with 15 students.

Other schools contributing to the Class of 1979 included: - Cottonport High School with 67 graduates - Fifth Ward High School with 23 - Hessmer High School with 20 - Lafargue High School with 30 - Mansura High School with 49 - Moreauville High School with 17 - Plaucheville High School with 28 - Simmesport High School with 54 graduates.

These numbers reflect not just the size of the graduating class, but the strong presence of local schools that helped shape generations of residents across the parish. Many of these campuses have since consolidated or evolved, but their legacy continues through the students who once walked their halls.

To submit any Avoyelles Parish history from the past, email photo, information and contact news@avoyelles-today.com or come by the newspaper office at 208 N. Washington St. in Marksville.