RESERVE – St. John the Baptist Parish public schools has named its district winners of the 2012-13 Student of the Year award as Darren Davis of East St. John High School, James Perilloux of John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School and Jenna Beber of John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School.
“As always, the judges thoroughly enjoyed interviewing each school’s Students of the Year,” said Heidi Trosclair, chairwoman of the Student of the Year committee. “They were courteous and articulate, and they represented the schools wonderfully. It is always a pleasure to meet the best students in our district.”
The students were selected based on academic achievement, school and community service, recognition and leadership, portfolio presentation and written and verbal communication skills.
Davis is the 12th-grade Student of the Year for St. John the Baptist Parish schools.
During his time at East St. John High, Davis has been a leader on campus. In his senior year, he has served as president of the Senior Beta Club, captain of the varsity football team, chairperson of the Louisiana Youth Seminar Home Group and senior class president, been a stakeholder delegate for the Stakeholder Leaders of East St. John High School and has done volunteer work for many charitable organizations.
A three-time all-district football player, Davis was also named to the first team all-metro squad and received an honorable mention nod on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State team this year.
The honor roll student said after graduating he plans to become a teacher. He is the son of Ericka Davis of LaPlace.
Perilloux has been named the eighth-grade Student of the Year for St. John the Baptist Parish schools.
Perilloux is president of the Math Club and a member of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office Young Marines, Beta Club and John L. Ory Studio, where he is the director of the school’s morning show. For the past four years the honor roll student has volunteered at the Southeast Louisiana Veteran’s Home in Reserve, where he was named volunteer of the year in 2011.
Perilloux’s goal is to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and pursue a career in the Army. He is the son of Tracy and Felix Perilloux of LaPlace.
Beber is the fifth-grade Student of the Year for St. John the Baptist Parish schools.
Beber is currently a member of the 4-H Club, plays soccer and softball and dances with Dance Unlimited. The talented theater student was also a cast member in the St. John Theater’s Seussical the Musical in 2012. For the past two years she has organized a SOUPer Bowl food drive, collecting more than 800 food items during last year’s Super Bowl to donate to local food pantries.
Beber’s goal is to become a doctor. She is the daughter of Shanna and Jason Beber of Reserve.
Other Student of the Year nominees were Asasha Terry of West St. John High at the 12th-grade level; Kendreon Lewis of East St. John Elementary, Kaitlyn Williams of Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, Ravyn Bazile of LaPlace Elementary, Elsy Pena-Jiminian of Emily C. Watkins Elementary, Angelica Carter of Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet and Kyra Thomas of Fifth Ward Elementary at the fifth-grade level; and Kira Armant of West St. John High, Kiara Camacho of Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, Chelsea Eugene of LaPlace Elementary, Kirsten Cases of East St. John Elementary and Paige Edler of Emily C. Watkins Elementary at the eighth-grade level.
Davis, Perilloux and Beber will compete in the regional Student of the Year competition on March 6 in St. Mary Parish.
Winners from that round of competition will compete at the state level in Baton Rouge in April.