Outstanding Students of the Year 2021

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 2021 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.

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.

District Winners 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, Paxton Lichenstein, son of Nicholas and Courtney Lichenstein, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux; eighth grader, Olivia Hatch, daughter of Keith and Crystal Hatch, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma; and 12th grader, Lia Jane Martin, daughter of Beau and Jennifer Martin, Vandebilt Catholic High School.

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.
  Eloise Block, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Block, St. Genevieve Catholic School, Thibodaux; Chloe Douglas, daughter of Travis and Claire Douglas, Holy Savior Catholic School, Lockport; George N. Hurley IV, son of George III and Tina Hurley, St. Mary’s Nativity School, Raceland; Sylvie Marceaux, daughter of Brian and Stephanie Marceaux, St. Bernadette Catholic School, Houma; Addison Poiencot, daughter of Rusty Poiencot and Candice Poiencot, St. Gregory Catholic School, Houma; Isabella Theriot, daughter of Clifford and Alison Theriot, Houma Christian School, Houma; Bailey Thomassie, daughter of Garret and Michelle Thomassie, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Larose; William Tycer, son of Matthew and Karen Tycer, Central Catholic School, Morgan City; Daniella Villarreal, daughter of Hector and Janette Villarreal, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma.
  Keegan Mason, son of Steve and Jo’le Mason, Central Catholic School; Anna Katherine Richardel, daughter of Daniel and Jennifer Richardel, St. Mary’s Nativity School; Abby Wright, daughter of Mark and Stephanie Wright, Houma Christian School; Adele Zeringue, daughter of Guy and Myra Zeringue, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux.
  Mary Frances Cali, daughter of Frank and Catherine Cali, Central Catholic School; Bennett DiSalvo, son of David and Jessica DiSalvo, Houma Christian School; Erin Toups, daughter of Stephen and Kerry Toups, E.D. White 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 3.2 on a four-point scale. Winners on the district level were evaluated on the basis of their application portfolio which includes an autobiographical sketch, academic and attendance records, evidence of the student’s leadership ability, participation in activities, honors, awards, citizenship and service involvement; 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; Monica Percle, retired school teacher; and Marga Toloudis, retired school teacher.