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LAPLACE — What does a scholar look like? East St. John and West St. John graduates prove scholars can be dual sport athletes and homecoming royalty. They are aspiring business owners, surgeons, storm chasers and soldiers, well positioned for success with the work they have put forth in high school.

Each year, East St. John and West St. John honor the Top 10 students in the each graduating class. The outstanding achievers were recognized at last week’s St. John School Board meeting.

The following information was compiled using student bios and interviews L’OBSERVATEUR has conducted throughout the year.

Wildcats Top 10

VALEDICTORIAN MARIAH AMUGO

Amugo was captain of the track team and a member of the Beta Club, Pharmacy Tech Club, Sewing Club, National English Honor Society and Art Club. Outside of school, she operated her own custom hairpiece business, @mariahsunits. She has a full ride scholarship to LSU and plans to become a nurse.

SALUTATORIAN NIALL PIERCE

Pierce completed every class in high school with an overall grade of an ‘A’ and received college credit in multiple dual enrollment courses. He will attend the University of Southern California in the fall to study psychology. Pierce was a four-year member of Beta Club and served as president during his senior year.

No. 3  JOSE FOLGAR

Folgar will attend Washington University in St. Louis this fall to pursue computer engineering. He played soccer, ran cross-country and participated in track and field at East St. John. Folgar was part of many groups, including Interact Club, National English Honor Society, Total Choice’s East St. John High Bank, Beta Club, Student Council, Boy Scouts and Evonik’s community advisory panel.

No. 4 TAMIYAH GROSS

Gross plans to double major in accounting and finance with plans to eventually obtain a CPA license and master’s degree. She was a member of the ACT Elite and a high achiever in power lifting.

No. 5 INDIA PAUL

Paul plans to attend Xavier University in the fall to study biology on a pre-med track. She aspires to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. Paul valued service above self as a member of East St. John’s Interact Club from 2018 to 2020.

No. 6 CHLOE REVERE

Revere earned a perfect 36 on the reading section of the ACT. She will attend Louisiana State University this fall on a full ride, majoring in kinesiology. She was a member of Beta Club and vice president of the Pharmacy Tech Club at East St. John, and she came out of her shell by attending Louisiana Girl’s State.

No. 7 ELSY PENA-JIMINIAN

Pena-Jiminian was a member of the East St. John Beta Club and soccer team. She plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fall.

No. 8 NEIRA SPAIN

Spain plans to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge to become a nurse practitioner. She was honored as a member of the ACT Elite. Outside of school, she operated a logo design company for businesses around the community.

No. 9 CHRISTIAN CAGE

Cage has been offered more than $500,000 in scholarships from various universities and was one of the recipients of the East St. John High Alumni Association Scholarship. He plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe and major in atmospheric science- meteorology, with the hopes of working for the National Weather Service as a storm chaser or a forecaster on a local news station. Cage was part of numerous school clubs and athletic teams.

No. 10 OLIVIA ELISER

Olivia will journey into the workforce prior to attending Pearl River Community College in Mississippi on an arts and humanities pathway. She is refraining from making solid plans at this time since 2020 has taught her how much life can change within a year.

Rams Top 10

VALEDICTORIAN TIERNY STERLING

Sterling will attend Loyola University in Chicago as a forensic science major on a pre-med track. Her extracurricular activities have included 4-H, DECA, Beta, Girl Scouts, track and field, softball, basketball, STEM Club, band, Louisiana Youth Seminar, Girl’s State and literary rally.

SALUTATORIAN AALIYAH BAILEY

The highlight of Bailey’s senior year was being named Miss West St. John 2019-2020. She plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the spring of 2021 to pursue a career in medicine. Before becoming a pediatrician, Bailey will serve her country in the Army National Guard. She was a four-year member of the volleyball team and a five-year cheerleader, serving as co-captain and captain. She also participated in campus academic clubs.

No. 3  MYLES BAILEY

Bailey was an active part of West St. John’s football and basketball programs. He will attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to major in mechanical engineering and minor in business management or entrepreneurship.

No. 4 D’KYRI JACKSON

Jackson was a member of the varsity football team, track team and Beta Club. In the fall, he plans to attend Howard University to major in mechanical engineering.

No. 5 KYLIE ADAMS

The highlight of Adams’ senior year was being crowned Miss Football. Before attending college, she will serve her country in the Army National Guard. She then plans to attend Grambling State University in the fall of 2021 to major in business administration and management. Adams was a co-captain and a captain for the Lady Rams basketball team during high school. She also participated in 4-H and Explorer’s Club.

No. 6 TIYE WALTERS

Walters represented the Rams’ small but powerful marching team. She became an all-district athlete on the basketball and softball teams without sacrificing her grades. Walters has already started summer classes at Tulane University, and she plans to become a doctor of veterinary medicine.

No. 7 JERROD JESSIE JR.

Jessie is a scholar athlete who excelled in the classroom and the basketball court. He plans to pursue physical therapy at Xavier University, where he is one of the newest members of the Gold Rush basketball team. Jessie is additionally active in his church and the proud business owner of Oh Snap Photo Booth.

No. 8 DOMINIQUE LEWIS

Lewis played trombone in the Rams band and served as the section leader for five years. She also participated in softball, 4-H, Beta Club and DECA. She is involved in her community as an altar server.

No. 9 SONTE PIERRE

Pierre plans to attend Northwestern State University and major in health and exercise science. She participated in DECA, 4-H, National Art Honor Society, basketball, softball and track and field.

No. 10 (TIE) KAYLI ISAAC & JALEN WALKER

Isaac plans to major in biology at Southern University A&M college in Baton Rouge with a goal of becoming a trauma surgeon while doing hair in her free time. She participated in volleyball, basketball and softball. Walker was a member of the football and baseball teams, president of Beta Club and senior class vice president. He received a $40,000 scholarship to Millsaps College in Jackson Mississippi, where he will play football and major in business administration.