Two Hahnville High School graduates and one Destrehan High School graduate have been selected as recipients of the 2026 LJB Legal Scholarship, a scholarship created by local attorney Loyd J. Bourgeois to recognize students whose lives have been shaped by serious injury, illness, disability, or other significant health challenges.
This year’s recipients are Olivia Whitaker and Ryleigh Charpentier of Hahnville High School and Glorianne Bundick of Destrehan High School.
The scholarship awards $2,000 to each recipient to help support their college education.
The LJB Legal Scholarship was first awarded in 2024 to a single graduating senior. In 2025, the program expanded to provide one scholarship to a Hahnville High School graduate and one scholarship to a Destrehan High School graduate.
Applicants were required to submit a 300 to 500-word essay on the topic, “How a serious injury or health challenge has impacted me or someone I love.”
This year, the essays left a lasting impression on the LJBLegal team.
“Our scholarship asks applicants to share deeply personal experiences about injury, disability, and perseverance,” said Bourgeois, founder of Loyd J. Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer. “This year, the essays were so powerful and inspiring that choosing just two winners felt impossible for our team. Then we realized, ‘Hey, we make the rules, let’s give three.’”
“At LJBLegal, we understand the profound impact a disability or serious injury can have on an individual and their loved ones,” Bourgeois said. “Every day our team sees the resilience it takes for families to move forward after difficult medical challenges. We are proud to recognize students like Olivia, Ryleigh, and Glorianne, who have shown determination, compassion, and perseverance while pursuing their goals.”
Olivia Whitaker plans to attend Nicholls State University, where she will study kinesiology and work toward her goal of becoming a strength and conditioning coach. Whitaker has faced years of medical challenges connected to a brain tumor diagnosis but remained active throughout high school. At Hahnville, she played soccer, joined the track team, participated in Beta Club and Interact Club, and helped coach swimming. She also participated in basketball, softball, and tennis throughout her life. Whitaker hopes to one day help athletes improve their performance and physical health through her future career.
Inspired in part by the loss of a close family member, Ryleigh Charpentier will attend Southeastern Louisiana University to major in nursing before pursuing her physician assistant degree at University of New Orleans. During high school, Charpentier earned Magna Cum Laude honors, was recognized as an ACT Scholar, and completed her Medical Assistant certification while also graduating from River Parishes Community College with an associate degree.
She also participated in Advanced Placement courses, band as a flute player, and talented music programs while balancing the demands of college coursework and healthcare training.
Glorianne Bundick will attend Emory University, where she plans to major in business with a concentration in entrepreneurship and music with a concentration in vocal studies. Bundick’s experiences helping support her family during her mother’s chronic illness helped shape her maturity, compassion, and drive to succeed. During her time at Destrehan High School, Bundick distinguished herself academically, artistically, and through community service.
Her accomplishments include participation in LMEA All-State Honor Choir, ACDA All-State Honor Choir, District Honor Choir, and Parish Honor Choir. She earned Superior ratings in International Thespian Society musical theatre competitions and participated in numerous productions, including “Mamma Mia,” “Hadestown,” “Shrek the Musical,” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Bundick also served as a section leader in varsity and treble choir, founded Career Compass, earned the Biliteracy Seal, completed more than 200 hours of community service, and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
The LJB Legal Scholarship was created to support students whose lives have been affected by serious injury, disability, or long-term health challenges, whether personally or through someone they love.
“At Loyd J Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer, we are deeply invested in our community and the future of its youth,” Bourgeois said. “Education can open doors and create opportunities, especially for students who have already faced difficult obstacles. We are honored to support these outstanding young people as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”
For more information about the scholarship, visit LJBLegal.com.
