MSA Students Hear from Local Author

Local author Brandi Worley spoke to an assembly of Math Science Arts Academy-West students on Monday morning in Plaquemine, reading from her book, entitled "Crumb Snatchers-Part I."

The author is a graduate of White Castle High and has a Master of Arts from Southern University in Journalism.

Monday, Worley read a section of the book, where the main character “Miley” is protecting her younger brother who is being harassed by other kids. In

the book, 12-year-old Miley learns many lessons, particularly about peer pressure.

Iberville Parish School System Executive Director of Special Programs Elvis J. Cavalier announced that the MSA -West and East would be purchasing one class set for the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th graders. The students will read, discuss, and write book reviews as part of the school's National Writing Program with LSU and it will be integrated into the English Language Arts curriculum. Worley has also developed a teacher's guide, a 50 test assessment tool, and five projects guides for classroom use.

Worley said while she was not a top high school student, she did get serious when she entered college. She earned honors in both undergraduate and graduate school, earning journalism scholarships. She is now working on more escapades for “Miley” as she "travels" through adolescence and encounters lessons taught by life.

Worley graduated from White Castle High in 2001. While at Southern University, she gained acceptance into several prestigious national journalism internship programs. She was also a reporter for the award-winning Southern Digest, the university's newspaper. In 2005, she won

the Best Feature Writer Award from the Black College Communications Association. She is the daughter of Susan and Alton Worley. Susan Worley is a home economics teacher at White Castle.