Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

EDGARD — West St. John freshman Jayla Ezidore is multi-talented, skilled in both the STEM field and performing arts. As she explores her passions during her high school years, she envisions a future in either engineering or dance.

Ezidore found a love for engineering when she joined robotics at West St. John Elementary. The LEGO Mindstorms software and school competitions opened her eyes to the opportunities that exist in computer engineering.

“I want to work on coding and programming,” Ezidore said. “Since I joined robotics, that’s what has interested me. I was in multiple STEM clubs over the summer to learn more about how to pursue my engineering career and how to get scholarships out of it.”

Dance has been another constant in Ezidore’s life. Since the age of 5, she’s felt right at home performing choreographed routines on stage.

“Dance is really my passion and my happiness,” Ezidore said.

Through the West St. John Ramettes dance team, Ezidore has performed at the New Orleans Super Dome, marched in Mardi Gras parades, and participated in school pep rallies and football games.

West St. John junior Skylar Edwards was impressed by Ezidore’s talent after seeing her dance in a parade. Just as impressive is her academic ability, known by even the upperclassmen on campus.

“Her reputation precedes her,” Edwards said. “You always heard even from the elementary school that Jayla is another star student.”

Ezidore’s status as a star student was solidified when she was honored by Principal Claude Hill during a recent St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting. Hill shared that Ezidore is a leader among her peers. She’s serious about her education, having made all ‘A’s this school year despite the disruption of Hurricane Ida.

Ezidore was recognized as the eighth grade student of the year for the 2020-2021 school year, and she will likely be a strong contender for the recognition during her senior year. She is also a member of West St. John’s Beta Club, a student organization focused on serving others.

Ezidore is known by her peers as being encouraging, friendly and helpful. Her drive to help others succeed is a product of her upbringing. Her mother, Jovan Lumar, has been a constant source of inspiration in her life.

“My mom always told me that when she was growing up, she didn’t have anybody to push her to her limits. She always wanted me to reach my fullest potential. She inspires me, and she always tells me that if I want something, go get it,” Ezidore said.

Ezidore is currently planning on attending Southern University after high school, but she is always open to exploring new avenues depending on where her academic journey leads her.

 

To nominate an outstanding young person for L’OBSERVATEUR’s next “Looks Bright” profile, please email brooke.robichaux@lobservateur.com.