Paragon Casino Resort Hosts Student Field Day Program

MARKSVILLE, LA – Paragon Casino Resort opened its doors to 320 local high school students for a three-day educational and awareness event aimed at fostering youth empowerment and informed decision-making.

The Field Day Program, held in partnership with the non-profit Avoyelles Sleeves Up and the Avoyelles Parish School District, focused on pressing health and wellness issues impacting today’s teens. The event provided students complimentary snacks, beverages and lunch, along with an age-appropriate film screening at the Paragon Cinema. At the heart of the program were expert-led sessions on mental health, suicide prevention, self-esteem, substance abuse and recovery.

“This program is a testament to what we can accomplish through meaningful collaboration,” said Lonnie R. Bridges Sr., Director of Training and Guest Experience at Paragon Casino Resort. “By investing in the education and emotional well-being of our youth, we are investing in the future of Avoyelles Parish.”

Throughout the three-day initiative, students heard firsthand stories of recovery from HOPE Center participants, participated in open discussions with representatives from the Region VI Office of Public Health and received practical communication tools for talking about addiction with family and peers. Additional focus areas included cyberbullying, human trafficking and the dangers of counterfeit drugs, highlighted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) One Pill Can Kill campaign.

“Programs like this allow us to connect with students in a way that’s both impactful and lasting,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr., GM of Paragon Casino Resort. “At Paragon, we believe leadership begins with service, and we feel a responsibility to support our local youth through initiatives like this.”

The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury also contributed support to the program, reflecting a broad community commitment to empowering future leaders and raising awareness of the health challenges faced by today’s youth.