EDGARD — Whenever people underestimate what she’s capable of achieving, Glasia Walker works harder to prove them wrong.

“I’m a very honest person, and I’m a hard worker,” Walker said. “Somebody telling me I can’t do something makes me want to do it.”

The Edgard resident is a natural leader who provides a voice for West St. John High students inside school walls and in the community.

As senior class president, she allocates the budget to coordinate senior week activities and plan the senior trip. Her efforts make it possible for the West St. John High 2018 graduating class to travel to Universal Studios in Orlando this spring.

Throughout the year, Walker has communicated with Parish leaders to help students realize their options after high school in her position as a LOSFA Trailblazer.

Outside of school, she advocates for her classmates on DENKA’s community action panel.

“We go to meetings each month and let corporations know what’s going on in our schools,” Walker said. “Every now and then, they participate with schools, allocating money for funding and events.”

Walker holds leadership positions in National Art Honor Society and 4-H, serving as president of both organizations. She’s also a member of Beta Club and DECA, a business organization focused on teaching students entrepreneurial skills.

She pushes herself to excel in academics. Throughout her high school career, Walker has always been on the principal’s list and has proved to be a top performer at her school with an ACT score of 28.

Despite holding the highest score in the school, Walker is always striving to improve, according to master math teacher Belinda Bailey.

“She’s very conscientious because she wants to go to the next level,” Bailey said.

Bailey has known Walker for years and described her as exceptionally motivated.

“You don’t have to ask her to work,” Bailey said. “She’ll ask you, ‘What do I have to do next?’ All throughout her school years, she’s been studious. Glasia’s not a party animal. Glasia’s a ‘booky-booky’ person, and I like that about her.”

After graduation, Walker plans to attend Jackson State University in Mississippi and major in biomedical engineering.

Highly ambitious, she’s always been drawn to a challenge.

“In the field of medical science, there’s always something new to learn,” Walker said.

Though she’s planning to build a career in the medical field and dreams of working for the Food and Drug Administration, Walker enjoys a variety of subjects and activities.

She’s a cheerleader for West St. John and a member of the Divine Dove Praise Dance Team at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Church is a major aspect of Walker’s life.

She’s dedicated more than 200 hours of service to her church while also tutoring younger students outside of school.

Balancing academics, extracurricular activities and service is a difficult task, Walker said. To get through each day, she makes schedules and reminds herself mental health comes first.

Knowing her limits hasn’t held her back. Walker was named St. John the Baptist Parish Student of the Month in November.

She’s in the running for valedictorian or salutatorian and currently vying for the title of 12th grade Student of the Year.

Walker is the daughter of Grant Walker Jr. and Hope Carter of Edgard.