Students of Year named in St. John

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 23, 2000

ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / February 23, 2000

RESERVE – Twelve students were honored recently as their schools’ Students of the Year at a recent St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting. Ofthose, three students were selected parishwide to go on to the regional competition that will eventually end in a statewide competition for Student of the Year.

St. John Parish’s Students of the Year are fifth-grader Chelsea Park ofLaPlace Elementary, eighth-grader Daniel Finckbeiner of the Glade School and West St. John High School senior Carl Gauthier.The students were judged by a panel of educators and community leaders on three major areas: exhibition of leadership, academic achievement and community involvement.

Each student had to hand in a brief biographical sketch along with documentation of their leadership skills, academic performance and community involvement.

The contestants were also asked to write a spontaneous composition and then be interviewed by the panel of judges, including Ann LaBorde, supervisor of personnel accountability; Wilbert Ocmand, assistant superintendent; Josie Clements, director of Headstart and early childhood; Grace Cook, Level A evaluator and instructional coordinator; and Garyville businessman Carl “Butch” Baloney.

“It was very hard to make a decision,” said LaBorde. “I can’t remember a pastcompetition being so stiff. Everybody was very focused and very well-prepared.”Park is slated to go to the regional competition representing the elementary schools.

“She does it all well,” said Laborde of Chelsea. “She got the most pointsacademically and scored great in the writing.”But it was her way with words that really impressed the judges.

“She had a fantastic interview,” said LaBorde. “Chelsea is very, veryarticulate.”According to LaBorde, Finckbeiner can do it all, too. He is in both the giftedand talented student classes, runs track, is an accomplished artist, is in the Beta Club and has won a math scholarship.

LaBorde marveled, “Talking to him was like talking to an adult. He is amazing.”Finally, West St. John High School’s Gauthier will represent the best of St.John Parish high school students.

“He really demonstrated great leadership qualities,” said Laborde.

Gauthier is captain of the football team and president of the Student Council and senior class. He has won many science and social studies fairs amongmany other accomplishments Out of school, he belongs to the Boy Scouts and volunteers to help out the elderly in his community.

These three students will compete Region 5 of the regional competition.

According to LaBorde they face stiff competition against students from Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

Other schoolwide winners in the Student of the Year competition are: Fifth grade: Joyell Baker, West St. John Elementary; Ashley Wilking, JohnL. Ory Magnet; Sharie Harrilal, East St. John Elementary; Kami Johnson, FifthWard Elementary; Desney Dumes, Garyville/Mt.Airy Magnet; and Diana Lainez,Glade School.

Eighth grade: Ryan Waguespack, Garyville/Mt.Airy Magnet, and PatrickMillet, Leon Godchaux Junior High.

12th grade: Katherine Madere, East St. John High School.

Return To News Stories