2010 People to Watch

Portraits of nine Baton Rougeans—five men and four women—worth watching in the new year.

An award-winning artist

Hollywood’s go-to man in Baton Rouge

A promising recording artist

An embattled developer

A pair of fashion entrepreneurs

The governor’s attorney

A design provocateur

A public school fixer

Worth watching after allSome members of 2009’s People to Watch who made a mark.

Michael MartinThe LSU Chancellor had a tough year as his university braced for cuts in state funding—a challenge he alluded to when speaking with 225 in November 2008. But Martin, a Minnesota native who holds a master’s in economics, stood up to LSU System President John Lombardi when he publicly defended TOPS by saying the scholarship program should remain merit-based and not subject to caps or cuts. TOPS continues to offer free tuition to roughly 90% of in-state freshmen, vital to fight the state’s perceived “brain-drain.”

Trent JohnsonAfter becoming the first African-American in history to be named head coach of an LSU men’s sports team, the only way Johnson could top those headlines was to win. And the former Stanford coach’s Tigers did just that, notching a 27-8 record last year—including a remarkable 19-2 inside the PMAC—on its way to an SEC championship. As 2008-09 SEC Coach of the Year, Johnson’s steady courtside demeanor will come in handy with only two seniors and a lot of untested talent in the form of nine freshmen and sophomores this season.

Lisette OropesaThe same day that our 2009 People to Watch issue hit newsstands, the praise-stingy New York Times called this soprano’s performance in La Rondine a “sweet, lively and well-sung portrayal.” For the 2009-2010 season, the acclaimed 26-year-old Tara High School graduate returned to the Metropolitan Opera for perhaps her most celebrated performance, as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro.—JEFF ROEDEL