Louisiana Students of the Year

Eighteen students from across the state were named regional finalists for the Louisiana Students of the Year award. The 18 regional finalists include one 5th grade, 8th grade, and 12th grade student from six regions and represent public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools across Louisiana. These regional finalists and state winners for each of the three grades were honored on April 16 during a ceremony at the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge.

Students are selected based on criteria that measure academic achievement, leadership skills, character, and service to their schools and communities. All public schools, as well as state-approved non-public schools, were asked to submit one candidate from their student body to compete at the district level. District-level winners advance to the regional competitions. Regional selection committees use portfolios of accomplishments created by each student, along with student writing samples and interviews, to assess the communication and critical-thinking skills of each candidate to name the regional finalists. Prior to selecting the three state winners, the state selection committee conducted interviews and reviewed a writing sample from each of the regional finalists.

The regional finalists are as follows:

Grade 5: 

Kevell Byrd, Luling Elementary School, St. Charles Parish

Mathilde Fox-Smith, Bains Elementary School, West Feliciana Parish

Emma Purifoy, A.E. Phillips Laboratory School, Lincoln Parish

Shelby Rambo, George Welch Elementary School, Ouachita Parish

Charles Roemer V, Our Lady of Mercy School, Diocese of Baton Rouge

Isabella Wade, Kinder Middle School, Allen Parish

Grade 8:

Logan Berthelot, Brusly Middle School, West Baton Rouge Parish

Kerry Doyle, Calhoun Middle School, Ouachita Parish

Sunjay Letchuman, Caddo Middle Magnet School, Caddo Parish

Adeline Martin, Lacache Middle School, Terrebonne Parish

Marcus Shallow, Elton High School, Jefferson Davis Parish

Rebekah Travis, Mount Carmel Academy, Diocese of New Orleans

Grade 12:

Faiz Alam, Lafayette High School, Lafayette Parish

Patrick Flanigan, Mandeville High School, St. Tammany Parish

Lauren Haigler, Airline High School, Bossier Parish

Kalin Larousse, Thibodaux High School, Lafourche Parish

Audrey Marsh, St. Joseph’s Academy, Diocese of Baton Rouge

Skylar Winters, West Monroe High School, Ouachita Parish