New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy has largely flown below radar since it was founded on the West Bank, during the post-Hurricane Katrina rebuild a dozen years ago. Its leaders now hope to raise the charter school’s profile as it embarks on a $50 million expansion at Federal City.
The winner of the " Best Student Performance” award, J’Mia Armstrong, is visiting the KSLA studio to talk about her win with the film “Do Black Lives Matter?” from Booker T. Washington High School.
Louisiana middle and high schools who register for the competition create a New Orleans-style brass ensemble with up to 12 members and compete in a second line-style parade for a select group of celebrity judges. Winning schools will take home a share of over $50,000 in funding for musical instruments and other supplies. The competition will have both beginner and advanced categories. All competing schools will receive at least a $1,000 stipend towards musical programs.