Hebert has great first semester at LSU

Luke Hebert had a great first semester at LSU.
Hebert, who graduated from Erath High in 2024 and played in the band, kicked off his first semester this past August by earning a spot in The Golden Band from Tigerland. He plays the French Horn and the Mellophone.
Then, during the semester, he was named the “Man of the Year” for the Phi Mu sorority because of an individual fundraiser he participated in to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Baton Rouge.
He wrapped up his hectic first semester with an impressive 3.95 GPA as a music education major.
However, while getting the Man of the Year Award, being a member of the LSU Band, and still finishing with a 3.95 GPA were all great, one thing that happened at the end of the semester trumped everything.
The Golden Band from Tigerland, consisting of 323 members, recently held a banquet where Hebert was awarded the 2024 Rhonda G. McGrew Outstanding New Member award, given to the top newcomer in the LSU Band.
“I was shocked when I heard my name,” said Hebert about winning the award. “When he introduced the award and started talking about the person who would get it, he started saying good things such as this person is positive and extremely funny. He also said this person made mistakes but recovered tremendously.”
His name will be added to a large plaque at LSU, which will be a collection of previous Outstanding New Member award winners.
It is no accident that Hebert won the award because he puts a lot of time and effort into perfecting his craft and has been trying to improve it since falling in love with music at Dozier Elementary School. He credits his passion for music to former Dozier music education teacher Kylie Griffin.
“She was my biggest inspiration,” he said. “She inspired me because of her willingness to teach.
“At Dozier, she got me to conduct the class in the fifth grade. I loved it so much. She always stuck with me like that. Kylie is why I selected the French Horn; she played the same instrument.”
Griffin and Hebert are still buddies today for a few reasons. Griffin isn’t at Dozier since she teaches LSU music classes this semester. Plus, Hebert is really close friends with Gracie Griffin, who graduated from EHS, is part of the LSU Band, and is a music major.
Hebert is leaving this weekend to begin his second semester at LSU. How is he going to top his first semester?
For starters, he is a member of the LSU Bengal Brass Band, which plays at basketball games, volleyball matches, and gymnastic meets.
Then, in February, the LSU Band recently learned they will be participating in the parade for the Super Bowl, which is being held in New Orleans.
“My first year at LSU, I loved it,” said Hebert. “I loved being in the Tiger band because I made so many new friends in the band and not in the band.”
Hebert is the son of Matt and Ellen Hebert. His grandparents are Tommy, Rachel Picard, Cheryl, Julian Hinckley, and Marcus Hebert.
“I speak for everyone in the family; we are extremely proud of him,” said Rachel. We witnessed countless hours of his daily practices, and his hard work and extreme dedication to his passion make the entire family proud.”