Achievements

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: David Murphy
Cedar Creek graduate David Murphy has proven himself to be a hard-working individual in both the present and the past.
Murphy graduated with the Class of 2012 and attended Louisiana State University where he majored in biology and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. He currently is a co-owner at Johnston and Murphy Dental Care as a General Dentist. His office, located in Ruston, has received the Best Dental Office award for Lincoln Parish for the past two years.
Murphy also uses his line of work to give back to the community. Johnston and Murphy Dental Care is the host of “Give Kids a Smile Day”, a charity event in which around fifty children are given dental cleanings, x-rays, and exams, and are taught about the importance of oral hygiene. Dr. David Murphy is also known to contribute to the Swollfest Fishing Rodeo, which benefits charities like the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the American Diabetes Association.
Murphy accredits Cedar Creek for his successful career. “Cedar Creek did a great job of preparing me for the challenges of both dental school and running a small business,” he praises. “We were exposed to so many great teachers and coaches that really pushed us to be the best we could be.”
When asked which teachers had the most impact on his success, he credited Mrs. Memrie Lolley, Coach Ben Haddox, and Coach William Parkerson, to name a few. These teachers helped him to develop a “strong work ethic and desire to maximize [his] potential in college and dental school.” However, Ben Haddox, former Cedar Creek football coach, believes that Murphy taught him some things as well.
“We as teachers/coaches can learn more from a student athlete than they learn from us. David exemplified that during his time at Cedar Creek. Dr. Murphy is someone who is successful all the time, not sometimes, and we can only hope his character is contagious throughout our community,” Haddox states. Murphy says he has learned teamwork, sacrifice, and communication through his six years on the Cedar Creek Football Team.
Memrie Lolley has acknowledged Dr. Murphy’s admirable qualities as well. “Even as a seventh grader, I knew David would conquer whatever goals he set. His determination through his schoolwork and athletics showed what a hard worker he was and would be in life… I expect a lot out of my students and David certainly rose to the challenge. I’m so proud of the goals he has accomplished in life and the passion he has for the job field he has chosen.”
Regardless of his hard work, Murphy didn’t exactly enjoy all his classes. “AP English with Mrs. Glenn was not particularly fun to go through as a high school student, but looking back, it was one of the classes that best prepared me for college”, he recalls.
When asked to give advice to current Cedar Creek students, he says, “Soak it all in. These are some of the greatest times of your life. Play sports and be involved. Enjoy every second of it and do what your teachers ask you to do. They truly have your best interest at heart.”
Cedar Creek is proud to call Dr. Shawn David Murphy a Cedar Creek Alumni.