Story by Janet Marcel 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 2012 Students of the Year. The Students of the Year Awards program is sponsored by the Louisiana State Superintendent through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Every public and approved non-public school in the state is invited to participate. “The program recognizes outstanding elementary, middle/ junior high and high school students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability and citizenship in their school and community,” says Marian B. Fertitta, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and chairperson of the program for the non-public schools within the diocese. All 13 Catholic schools in the diocese and Houma Christian School participated in this year’s awards program, which resulted in 20 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. Anna Chadwick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Chadwick, fifth grade, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux; Abigail Grabert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Grabert, eighth grade, Holy Savior Elementary School, Lockport; and Gabrielle Espiritu, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Espiritu, 12th grade, Vandebilt Catholic High School,
Houma, competed in a regional screening at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge. The regional interviewing committee is made up of individuals from across the state. Winners at the regional level will participate in the state competition in Baton Rouge on April 18. In addition to the district winners, students selected to represent their school in diocesan competition are as follows. Fifth graders: Daniel Donovan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Donovan, Maria Immacolata Elementary School, Houma; Cade Duplantis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniels Duplantis Jr., Holy Savior Elementary School, Lockport; Andrew Guidry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Barry Guidry, Holy Rosary Elementary School, Larose; Cody Pech, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Pech, St. Mary’s Nativity Elementary School, Raceland; Taylor Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Smith, St. Gregory Elementary School, Houma; John H. Trapp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Heinke Trapp, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma; Amelia Viator, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Viator, St. Bernadette Elementary School, Houma; Michael Wise II, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wise, Holy Cross Elementary School, Morgan City; and Mary Zeringue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Zeringue III, St. Genevieve Elementary School, Thibodaux. Eighth graders: Aishia Brady, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Todd Brady, Holy Rosary Elementary School, Larose; Jennie Bouzigard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bouzigard, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma; Shelby Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ellis, E.D White Catholic High School, Thibodaux;
of the Year Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA
Claire Melancon, daughter of Christine R. Melancon and John “Pat” Melancon (deceased), St. Mary’s Nativity Elementary School, Raceland; Kaylee Parfait, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronn Parfait, Houma Christian School, Houma; and Emma Thomas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Thomas, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City. 12th graders: Alexandria Medine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Medine, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City; and Mary Sauce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sauce, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux. A five member selection committee reviewed each of the candidate’s portfolios and spent one day interviewing each of them individually, before choosing the district winners. Winners on the district level were chosen on the basis of their portfolio, grade point average, leadership, service/citizenship, involvement in extracurricular activities, writing ability and the manner in which they presented themselves during the interview. Members of the district selection committee were Norris Cantrelle, diocesan School Advisory Council vice-president; Luke Ford Jr., retired Lafourche Parish School Board supervisor; Cathy Klingman, director of the diocesan Office of Family Ministries; Deacon Jim Swiler, diocesan chancellor; and Cathy Telford, retired principal. The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools sponsors a breakfast each year to honor these outstanding students at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, students and their parents, school principals, pastors and selection committee members attend the breakfast.
April 2012
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