Evangeline’s finest

Some of the best and brightest Evangeline Parish has to offer was spotlighted Thursday evening at the Ville Platte Civic Center as the parish’s Students of the Year were honored. Those students will now go on to compete on the regional and state level.
The 5th grade Student of the Year is Brookelyn Robertson of Ville Platte Elementary. She is the daughter of Lenorba Arvie and Dawan Robertson and is the granddaughter of Sarah Arvie and Jane Robertson.
Her hobbies include dancing, cooking, singing, and reading. Her interests are cooking and hanging out with friends. Robertson’s favorite school subject is English and enjoys track and football.
Her favorite movie is Frozen, and her favorite book is Brave by Judy B. Jones. Her favorite color is purple, and her career aspiration is to become a lawyer.
The 8th grade Student of the Year from Basile High School is Daisy Berzas. She is the daughter of Lucas and Rebecca Berzas and the granddaughter of Mike and Mary Wall and Pamela Berzas and the late Scotty Berzas.
Her hobbies include singing and cooking. Her favorite school subject is science and she enjoys cheerleading.
Berzas’ favorite movie or book is the Harry Potter series, and her favorite color is turquoise. Her career aspiration is to become a NICU nurse.
From Mamou High School is the 12th grade Student of the Year Lauren Joyce Soileau. She is the daughter of Valerie Lynn Smith and Timothy James Soileau and the granddaughter of Rita and Nick Soileau, Ted Smith, and Mary Duhon.
Her hobbies include gardening, running, drawing, and listening to music. Her favorite school subject is AP Psychology, and she enjoys tennis and cross country.
Soileau’s favorite book is The Martian by Andy Weir, and her favorite color is teal. Her career aspiration is to become an environmental engineer.
The Outstanding Work Base Learning student is Steven “Tre” Manuel, who is a 12th grade student at Mamou High. He is the son of Chris and Melissa Manuel and is the grandson of Catrina Manuel and the late Cleve Manuel, Roger and Susan Fontenot, and Sherry and Jimmy Oge.
His hobbies include hunting and fishing, and his interest is working on trucks.
Manuel’s favorite school subject is science and agriculture, and he did two years of powerlifting and two years of football. His favorite movie is Spirit, and his favorite color is dark blue. He wants to own his own business one day.
Maycie Vidrine, an 8th grade student at Bayou Chicot Elementary, is the Outstanding JAG Middle School Student of the Year. She is the daughter of Robin Laughlin and Travis Laughlin and the granddaughter of Danny Fusilier and Caresse Fusilier.
Her hobbies include reading and hanging out with her friends. Her favorite subject is math.
Vidrine’s favorite movie or book is The Hunger Games, and her favorite color is red/maroon. Her career aspiration is to become a surgeon or to have another career in the medical field.
The Outstanding JAG High School Student of the Year is Sydney Bordelon, a 12th grader from Ville Platte High School. She is the daughter of Angie and Brandon Bordelon and the grandaughter of Harold and Ethelene Fontenot and Joan Manuel and James Bordelon.
Bordelon’s hobbies include reading, shopping, and babysitting. She is most passionate about organizing reading projects to create awareness for kids.
Her favorite school subjects are English, math, and JAG (employability/leadership. Her clubs and organizations include FEEP (Future Educators of Evangeline Parish), JAG, and VPHS Homecoming Court.
Her favorite movie or book is The Notebook, and her favorite color is pink. Her career aspiration is to become an elementary educator.