By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LULING — One local student is doing big things and impacting countless people in the process.

So far this school year, 11-year-old Zamion Robinson, a fifth grade student at Lakewood Elementary School in Luling, was a Student of the Year nominee, raised money for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and started an adopt-a-grandparent program with his mom to benefit the young and elderly of St. Charles Parish.

And the school year is only halfway done.

Tobi Flair, an assistant principal at Lakewood Elementary, said Zamion is civic-minded and a very generous and humble student.

“Zamion is the kind of kid who fights for the underdog,” Flair said, adding he befriends everyone at school to make sure they feel involved.

Zamion, along with his 7-year-old sister Zyan, spent time in October raising money for UNICEF, which according to its website works “to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.”  

His mom helped him order boxes to collect money in his class during the month, Zamion said, and all of the collected donations were sent back to the organization.

Zamion, the son of Corey and Johnel Robinson of Luling, said he and his sister were able to collect over $100.

“I feel there’s not really a way to explain how it feels to give back,” Zamion said, adding he was happy to explain to his classmates the reason why raising the money was important.

Johnel Robinson said it is important to her and her husband to teach Zamion and Zyan about worldwide issues and giving back, “because we are fortunate because we have everything we need.”

“I saw what could happen if you could get $500,” Zamion said. “You could get a well built in a village.”

This was his first year raising money for the organization, and he would like to do it again in the future.

Another project on Zamion’s to-do list is establishing an adopt-a-grandparent program in St. Charles Parish.

The website for the program is scpaag.org, and Zamion said he’s been working on the project with his mom to “raise awareness of taking care of the elderly.”

Zamion and his family visit Luling’s Ashton Manor Assisted Living and Memory Care Center once a week to spend time with the residents, sometimes playing bingo or doing crafts.

Johnel said the program is in the working stages, and after the holidays she hopes to start to spread awareness of the program and all it offers to residents of all ages.

Zamion said visiting the elderly residents is “important because some of them need someone to visit them,” adding it always makes him smile to see how happy the residents are to see him and his family.

In his spare time, Zamion likes to play basketball and “tries to hang out with his sister,” he said with a smile.

Grades are also of a top priority for Zamion, who said his parents encourage him to make good grades.

“It makes me a better student,” he said.

So how are his grades?

“The last time I checked, I saw a 4.0,” Zamion said smiling.

“All I want for Zamion is to be successful and in that success not to forget to give back,” Johnel said. “You have to pay it forward. It’s about treating people the way you want to be treated.”