Outstanding fifth, eighth and 12th grade non-public school students from within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux were recently chosen to represent their schools as 2022 Students of the Year.
The Louisiana Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sponsor the annual Students of the Year Awards program, which is open to every Louisiana public and approved nonpublic school with students enrolled in the grade levels that correspond to the award categories. A Louisiana student selection committee chooses three state winners.
The Students of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding elementary, middle/junior high and high school students who have demonstrated excellence in all of the following areas: leadership, citizenship, academic and/or career and technical achievement, and service to school and community.
All 11 Catholic schools in the diocese and Houma Christian School participated in this year’s awards program, which resulted in 19 students from the three grade levels competing at the district level. Three candidates from schools within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux were selected to represent Region VI – Nonpublic Schools – in the regional competition: Fifth grader, Layla Carmichael, daughter of David and Crystal Carmichael, Holy Savior Catholic School, Lockport; eighth grader, Claire Arabie, daughter of Garrett and Jill Arabie, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Larose; and 12th grader, Zoe Sissac, daughter of Amy Shely and Todd Hebert, and Scott Sissac and wife Brittany, Houma Christian School, Houma.
The regional interviewing committee is made up of individuals from across the state. Winners at the regional level go on to participate in the state competition.
In addition to the candidates selected to represent the region, students selected to represent their school in district competition are as follows.
Fifth Graders Kinley Cooper, daughter of Britney Haydel and Cody Cooper, Houma Christian School; Charlee Jo Duplantis, daughter of Darren and Jadi Duplantis, St. Mary’s Nativity School, Raceland; Henry Kilgo, son of Ryan Kilgo and Leigh Kilgo, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma; Juliette Melancon, daughter of Michael and Suzanne Melancon, St. Bernadette Catholic School, Houma; Ava Naul, daughter of David and Tammy Naul, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux; Sally Stagni, daughter of Sean and Susan Stagni, St. Genevieve Catholic School, Thibodaux; Kinsley Terrebonne, daughter of Bradley and Kimberly Terrebonne, Holy Rosary Catholic School; Evan Thibodaux, son of Dirk and Renee Thibodaux, St. Gregory Catholic School, Houma; Cristina Wiggins, daughter of Sennet and Kristin Wiggins, Central Catholic School, Morgan City.
Eighth Graders Jamesleigh Falgout, daughter of Dustin and Jennifer Falgout, Houma Christian School; Ella Grace Luminais, daughter of Mike and Jill Luminais, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux; Olivia Naquin, daughter of Eric and Sadie Naquin, St. Mary’s Nativity School; Emmy Robison, daughter of Dane and Lauren Robison, Central Catholic School; Dezi Starr, daughter of Bryan and Kayla Starr, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma.
12th Graders Hallie Crappell, daughter of Wade and Tracy Crappell, Central Catholic School; Olivia DeGravelle, daughter of Eric and Alyce DeGravelle, E.D. White Catholic High School; Isabela Ourso, daughter of Sam and Lacey Ourso, Vandebilt Catholic High School.
A district selection committee reviewed each of the candidate’s application portfolios and interviewed them virtually on an individual basis, before choosing the district winners. At a minimum, candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.1 on a four-point scale. Winners on the district level were evaluated on the basis of their application portfolio, which includes a LDOE application form, an autobiographical sketch, academic records, LDOE leadership, citizenship and awards forms, and additional artifacts; and the manner in which they present themselves during the interview, which is structured around questions and topics appropriate to the academic level of the student.
Assisting with judging at the district level were Gerrie Byrne, diocesan curriculum specialist; Yvonne Weimer, retired diocesan administrator-minister, and teacher and administrator in the Lafourche Parish Public School District; Susie Meyers, retired St. Mary Parish public school teacher, facilitator and staff development coordinator.