RESERVE — Lanie Hymel of Garyville is quiet and conscientious, always working hard in the classroom so she can enjoy her free time outdoors.

A fifth grader at Riverside Academy, Lanie is active in sports and plays shortstop on the middle school softball team. Her love for the sport stretches back as far as she can remember, and she picked up a softball bat as soon as she was old enough to play.

Assistant principal Cheree Gomez described Lanie as a well-rounded, personable student.

“I’m really proud of Lanie’s hard work and dedication here at Riverside,” Gomez said. “She’s one of our little athletes, and she’s always there to help others. She gets along well with the other children.”

Lanie always takes school seriously and starts the day ready to learn, according to Gomez.

“I think being that she’s so conscientious, she studies hard, and it shows she cares,” Gomez said. “She comes to school everyday prepared, and I think that speaks volumes.”

Lanie’s definition of being a good student is “always being respectful, having good behavior in class and making decent grades.”

She said her parents, Danielle and Chad Hymel, motivate her to work hard with reminders to always try her best.

They are proud of everything she does, including making straight As and scoring mastery and advanced on the LEAP test.

Lanie’s been involved at school throughout her elementary years, taking part in Jr. BETA Club and serving as princess for Riverside Academy’s Krewe Bord de L’eau XXXVII.

In 2016, she helped collect supplies for a flood-impacted school in Baton Rouge.

Lanie has showcased her creative talents by winning Americanism and Young at Art awards. However, she said her favorite subject is math because problem solving comes naturally to her.