Shreveport, LA – On July 4th, LSUS graduate Sarah Johnson lit up the Bakowski Bridge of Lights with a 20-minute light show that played alongside the fireworks for the KTBS 3 Freedom Fest, America 250 celebration.

The celebration included performances by Professor Pork Chop, the Victory Belles, Mount Canaan Baptist Church, Mount Canaan Choir, the Shreveport Symphony Brass Ensemble, and Caddo’s Rising Star Winner Carla Heard. Sarah was commissioned by the Shreveport Regional Art Council (SRAC) to program the light show that played alongside the fireworks finale. 

In the past, Sarah has programmed 4 songs for the Bakowski Bridge of Lights, but this is her first time programming an entire show.

“I have programmed a few shows before,” Sarah added, “but this show is going to be seen by thousands of people, and it is also by far the longest show I have done.”

Songs featured in the light show included: The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, America by Neil Diamond, God Bless the USA, and selected patriotic Instrumentals.

Sarah received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Development from LSUS in 2024. 

“Going through the Computer Science Department, there is a lot of different software we learn to use.” Sarah said, “I learned how to be very versatile with quickly learning different software.”

Sarah joined the SRAC “Light It Up” program, a Tracey Dear LED light and steam learning residency for Caddo and Bossier Parish Public Schools, area Universities and Social Service Organizations in 2022 and later graduated from the program as a certified lighting designer. Sarah then became a teacher for the Light It Up program in 2023 while attending LSUS.