The best of the best

The Evangeline Parish School District’s Students of the Year were announced Tuesday during a ceremony held at the Ville Platte North Side Civic Center.
Before the awards were given, musical entertainment was provided by Jada Guillory of Ville Platte High, Sam Gil of Sacred Heart, and Koby Smith of Pine Prairie.
Analise Fontenot of Chataignier Elementary was then named as the district’s 5th Grade Student of the Year. She is the daughter of Heath and Christina Fontenot and is the granddaughter of Benny and Peggy Fontenot and Helen Fontenot.
Her hobbies include jumping on the trampoline, being with friends, reading, writing, playing piano, and solving rubik’s cubes.
Fontenot plans on attending college and becoming a nurse practitioner or a civil engineer.
Other nominees for 5th Grade Student of the Year were Sophie LeBleu of Basile, Myrisah Lynn LaFleur of Bayou Chicot, Christopher Harrison Jr of James Stephens Montessori, Maddison Klaire Savoy of Mamou, JaLaysa Branal Arvie of Vidrine, and Broc Weston Trosclair of Ville Platte Elementary.
Chataignier Elementary also produced the 8th Grade Student of the Year in Riley Manuel. He is the son of Toby and Windy Manuel and is the grandson of Jerry and Mary Manuel and Charline Vidrine.
His hobbies include hunting, fishing, playing video games, and playing football.
Manuel’s career aspirations are military, engineer, or homicide detective.
Other nominees for 8th Grade Student of the Year were Henley LeJeune of Basile, Beau Adam Fontenot of Bayou Chicot, Dalaen Attle of Mamou, Karli Swanzy of Vidrine, and Ta’Von Ralik Anderson of Ville Platte High.
The district’s 12th Grade Student of the Year was Ethan West from Pine Prairei High. He is the son of Kevin and Anita West and is the grandson of Yvonne Soileau, the late Patrick Soileau, the late Allen West, and the late Shirley West.
His hobbies include drawing, learning, driving, playing video games, watching YouTube, and spending time with family and friends.
West’s career aspiration is to become a chemical engineer and a computer animator.
Other nominees for 12th Grade Student of the Year were Preslea Madison Laird of Basile, Chloe Tate of Mamou, and Mckenzie Walker of Ville Platte High.
Iyana Vanflexus Freeman of Ville Platte High School was selected as the Work Based Learning Program Student of the Year. She is the daughter of Fred and Vanessa Freeman and is the granddaughter of Melissa Frank, the late Prosper Frank, the late Iretta Cullivan, and the late Clifton Thomas.
Freeman’s hobbies are sewing, dancing, and listening to music. Her career aspiration is in international fashion marketing.
Although not present for the ceremony, the 8th Grade JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduate) Student of the Year was Ashlin Robinson of Bayou Chicot, the daughter of Valerie Robinson.
Her hobbies include softball, shopping, basketball, and cheer. Her career aspirations are either in the medical field or being a lawyer.
Darious Ceaser of Ville Platte High School was selected as 12th Grade JAG Student of the Year. He is the son of Darren and Sarah Ceaser and is the grandson of Ivory and Louanna Thomas and Frank Yokem and Elnora Ceaser.
His hobbies include listening to music, inspiring peers, and giving back to the community.
Leadership activities are his passion, and he is president of JAG, Future Farmers of America, and the Student Council.
Ceaser’s career aspirations is to attend culinary school.
Evangeline Parish Superintendent of Schools Darwan Lazard ended the ceremony with his remarks on the state of the district.
“Evangeline Parish has a bright future because of the many young people who are on stage,” he said. “I’m so very proud of them, and they work hard and see hard work pays off. It’s good to be studious. It’s good to work hard. It’s good to achieve.”
“If you do those things,” Superintendent Lazard continued, “you’re going to be successful as you go in life. I encourage you to work hard, study hard, and put God first. If you do those things, you’ll be a great success and be a blessing to the Evangeline Parish community or to anywhere you might land.”
The superintendent concluded, “We have a lot of great things going on at every single campus in Evangeline Parish. I hope you will continue to support our school system. I’m so very proud and privileged to be the superintendent of the best school district this side of Heaven.