Isabella Anderson, a senior at Lafayette High School, has been awarded the 2025 CODOFIL Award for Excellence in French. This honor highlights the strength of Louisiana French immersion programs and the growing role of Francophone culture in the state.
Isabella began her French journey in kindergarten at Myrtle Place Elementary, continuing at Prairie Elementary, Paul Breaux Middle School, and finally Lafayette High School. This 13-year immersion education reflects Lafayette Parish’s commitment to bilingual education and the broader mission of CODOFIL to keep French alive in Louisiana.
“French is more than the streets of Lafayette,” Isabella explained, referring to many of the city’s French street signs. “It’s a community, it’s a family, and it shows that everyone—the entire world—is interconnected.”
A Future Made Brighter by French
In fall 2025, Isabella is attending Georgetown University, where she is studying international and cultural politics with a minor in French. Like many immersion graduates, she plans to study abroad—an opportunity supported by CODOFIL scholarships for high school students, university students, and professionals.
The award ceremony was especially meaningful for Isabella’s family. Her mother shared that her grandmother was a native Louisiana French and Creole speaker. Isabella’s recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a celebration of Louisiana’s heritage and identity.
“Isabella is courageous, intelligent, and deeply committed to French,” said Peggy Feehan, Executive Director of CODOFIL. “She represents the future of our Francophone community.”
Scholarships and Opportunities for Louisiana Students
The CODOFIL Award, funded by La Fondation Louisiane, supports outstanding students with a $500 prize. The award was initiated in 2024, when 35 students statewide received this distinction. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding seniors who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to French in their personal and academic lives, working to master a language at the heart of Louisiana’s culture. It’s through these efforts by the youth of the region that French continues to grow and evolve, offering newfound opportunities for Louisianans.
Through awards and immersion programs, CODOFIL continues its mission of expanding French immersion schools in Louisiana, providing scholarships to study abroad, and building international connections with Francophones around the world.