BY KYLE BARNETT

Staff Reporter

RESERVE –The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recently recognized students in Grades 5, 8 and 12 who were named Student of the Year winners for the 2007-2008 school year in their meeting last week.

Students were selected based on academic achievement, school and community service, recognition and leadership, portfolio presentation and written and verbal communication skills.

The top students who were selected will compete for regional honors in the coming weeks, in hopes of advancing to the state competition, which is sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education.

The three top student winners were Michael Sanders, a fifth grader from West St. John Elementary; Cambrey Dent, an eighth grader from LaPlace Elementary; and Shaontrea Antonio, a senior from West St. John High School.

Sanders, son of Michael and Theresea Sanders, is active in 4-H, the youth choir at his church and football with the St. John Recreational Department. He is also a student of Choice School of Music.

This year Sanders has been given awards including inclusion on the Principal’s list, Student of the Month, People Respecting Others and 1st Place in the Science Fair.

Sanders hope to become a Meteorologist when he gets older.

Dent is the daughter of Burnell Dent, Pastor and founder of New Foundation for Life Church, and Marsha Dent.

She is the Student Council President at LaPlace Elementary and a member of Beta Club, with 4.0 grade point average. Outside of school she is the secretary of Sunday School Ministry, a co-director of Childcare Ministry and a member of the NFFL choir.

Dent hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon when she gets older.

Antonio is the daughter of Lonnie and Goldie Antonio. In addition to maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average Antonio is an active participant in a number of extracurricular activities including volleyball, softball, Finance Academy, Library Club, SADD, Student Council, National Honor Roll Society, Black History Club and the Flag Team. She is also the President of West St. John High National Beta Club and the Vice-President of Future Business Leaders of America.

On top of her school related activities Antonio is active in St. Peter the Baptist Church as a member of the usher and board and two choirs. She also tutors younger students through the Sun Rise Human Development Program.

After graduation Antonio plans to begin coursework in Radiology at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge this summer while also taking courses to become a medical assistant.