LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre recently presented East St. John High School graduating senior Diandra Nelson with the 2016 Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Educational Scholarship for St. John Parish.

Nelson, the daughter of Alfred and Delean Nelson of Reserve, will receive $500 for educational expenses. She plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Several applications were received from graduating seniors attending all St. John Parish high schools. Qualities such as academic achievement, leadership and character are considered.

Applications were reviewed by an impartial board, and the board then submitted its recommendations to Tregre.

Applicants must be a permanent resident of Louisiana, use the scholarship for higher education within the state and be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student.

The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Educational Scholarship Program awards $500 to graduating high school students in parishes where the sheriffs are members of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program.

Funding for the scholarship comes from St. John Parish’s honorary members.