Even at a young age Carlo Travis knows the importance of an education.

“You need your education to get through life,” Carlo said. “You need an education to do things like pay your bills, read contracts and stuff like that. You need it to do things in the world.”

Those are smart words for an 11-year-old, and Carlo is one sharp student. This is evidenced by his appearance each year on the Principal’s list, meaning he’s earned straight As.

“To believe that I can get all these A’s feels so good,” he said. “I keep my A’s because I listen in class a lot. My mom also teaches me at home sometimes. Studying is important, of course, and I study a lot. I also like to read.”

When you ask if he likes school, Carlo, with a big smile on his face, shakes his head and says “yes.”

“My favorite subject is math,” he said. “I like to deal with numbers. I know I’ll have to come across numbers in the real world like when dealing with money and banking. I don’t really find it hard, maybe at some points it feels like it can be over my grade level, but I don’t find it hard.”

With hard work and dedication Carlo earned the title of Garyville-Mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet School Fifth Grade Student of the Year, then he went on to take the title for all schools in the parish’s public school district.

“To win District Student of the Year for fifth grade felt really good,” Carlo said. “Out of all the people in the district, I was chosen. It feels nice to be congratulated and have people be happy for me. They announced that I won over the intercom at school. My friends and classmates were happy for me and so were my teachers. My parents love me the most, and they are happy for me a lot.”

Garyville Magnet principal Rosalind Davis describes Carlo as hardworking.

Before he left for the interview, Davis said Carlo declared, ‘I’m going to give it my all.”

She knew he would.

“I just know that everything that he puts his hands to, he is going to do his very best,’ she said. “That’s all we can ask.”

Carlo is a member of the 4-H and Beta club at Garyville Magnet and also plays different sports.

“Being part of 4-H is fun, especially when we go on field trips and camp,” he said. “You get to learn about a topic that you pick. It adds on to your education and helps with stuff in the real world. I wanted to learn about electricity but I picked the wrong thing. I ended up with lawn mowers, but I learned a lot about parts like the engine, how to operate one and safety stuff.”

Davis said Carlo is the type of person who likes to challenge himself.

“He always feels that, whatever he has done, he can do better,” she said. “I just feel that Carlo exemplifies leadership. Whatever you ask him to do, and sometimes before you ask him, he offers assistance — true leadership at its best.”

What makes Carlo special, in Davis’ mind, is the fact he “truly believes in himself.”

“He believes that he possesses the attributes of a true student, an academic scholar and a true leader,” she said. “I think that he really uses that as his foundation to push.”