RESERVE – The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on recently recognized the district’s winners of the 2008-2009 Student of the Year awards.

The three top student winners were Courtni Becnel, a senior from West St. John High School; Maitte Coronado, an eighth grader from LaPlace Elementary; and Kirione Watkins, a fifth grader from Fifth Ward Elementary.

The 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 other fifth-grade nominees for the 2008-2009 Student of the Year Award included Lori Chen, LaPlace Elementary; Omar Herrera, East St. John Elementary; Keely Johnson, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary; Jainishia Zeno, Garyville/Mt. Air Magnet; Cobi Smith, John L. Ory Magnet; and Maya Trench, West St. John Elementary.

The other eighth grade nominees for the 2008-2009 Student of the Year Award included Keirston Gautier, West St. John High; Darren Davis, East St. John Elementary; Janae’ Flowers, Fifth Ward Elementary; Breann Caire, Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet; and Jordan Brown, John L. Ory Magnet.

The other senior nominated was Scotti Beth Lawson of East St. John High.