By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District students had an opportunity to show off their social studies prowess as the district held its District Social Studies Fair Jan. 16.

Superintendent Kevin George said the fair gave students “an opportunity to explore a topic of their own choosing, and this year, the students exceeded our expectations.”

He said “the judges were not only impressed with the students’ presentations, but also the amount of research the students conducted.”

To qualify to participate in the fair, district communications specialist Jennifer Boquet said students first had to win at their respective school level. Winners at the district level who qualified for the regional competition will present their projects at Nicholls State University March 10.

District winners in Division 1 — which includes students in grades 4 and 5 — are, anthropology, first place, Jacob Bailey; anthropology, second place, Gabi Connor; anthropology, third place, Essence Tarrence; economics, first place, Jada Brown; economics, second place, Zahyra Dropthmore; economics, third place, Aliyan Ford; geography, first place, Samantha Brewer; history, first place, Sara Brooks; history, second place, Auna Hall; history, third place, Janiya Chambers; Louisiana history, first place, Ronald Johnson; Louisiana history, second place, Lebrian Bethancourt; Louisiana history, third place, Ethan Sardenga; political science, first place, Jai Gaines; political science, second place, Morgan Dean; political science, third place, Madison Dinvaut; sociology, first place, Muntrail Jones; sociology, second place, Skylar Bailey; and sociology, third place, Da’Quinn Washington.

Division 2 winners — which includes students in grades 6 through 8 — are, anthropology, first place, Jalen Walker; anthropology, second place, Jaliyah Hoyt; anthropology, third place, Taylor Green; economics, first place, Jamarious Eugene; economics, second place, Niyah Muhammad; economics, third place, Noah Williams; geography, first place, Aiden Spurrier; geography, second place, Carter Byrd; geography, third place, Denijah Taylor; history, first place, Mai’Ron Carter; history, second place, Alexa Detillier; history, third place, Keyiera Caston; Louisiana history, first place, Sean Shelby; Louisiana history, second place, Breanna Epperly; Louisiana history, third place, D’Yoni Lennix; political science, first place, Aniah Newman; political science, second place, Dyhn McKinley; political science, third place, Jada Williams; sociology, first place, Roberta Holmes; sociology, second place, Joseph Mamou; sociology, third place, Jenna Beber; team economics, first place, Jarae Jackson and Jazmen Jackson; team geography, third place, Davis Uribe and Joel Canales; team history, first place, Kaila Ferguson and Shalayah Williams; team history, second place, Christopher Steele and Bernice Eads; and team sociology, third place, Amaaj Louis and Darien Antonio.

Special Education 1 winners are, history, first place, Peter Thomas; history, second place, Layla Martin; history, third place, Santos Arriola; Louisiana History, first place, Destiny Cashio; and Louisiana History, second place, Myraneisha Malancon.

George said the district would like to extend thanks to New Wine Christian Fellowship, who allowed use of their facility to host the fair, and district employees Shanna Beber and Glen Chenier for organizing the event.