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HAHNVILLE — Connor Cunningham was named the recipient of the 2()23 Robert C. Menezes, Sr. Memorial Community Scholarship Wednesday night, April 26, during Hahnville High School’s Senior Awards Program in the school’s auditorium.

The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated leadership abilities, academic achievement, and contributions to the local community. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior selected by the school in memory of Bob Menezes, who was coach and later principal of Hahnville High School for 20 years until his death from cancer in 1975.

”We believe Connor’s selection was an inspired choice by the school’s scholarship committee and were delighted to learn of his selection,” said Doris Menezes, widow of the late principal and coach, who attended the ceremony and presented the award. “He’s a well-rounded and well-deserving student who excelled in the classroom, in the musical arts, engineering, and who helped others in our community in their times of need. He’s a natural leader who’s smart and talented. We’re excited to be part of his future college career.”

Connor Cunningham graduated with high honors and was a recipient of the Dow

Academic Award, the AP Scholar and AP U.S. History Awards, and the VFW Award.

He earned the ACT Scholar Award, received a TOPS Honor Scholarship, a University of Louisiana Monroe Academic Excellence Award, and was selected to the Louisiana Music Educators Association Academic All-State Team. He was frequently honored on the Summa Cum Laude and Superintendent’s Lists, and was a member of the Beta Club, the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, serving as its vice president. He participated four years in the school’s marching band serving as its Drum Captain as a senior. He was named to the St.

Charles Honor Band, the LMEA District Honor Band, the LMEA All-State

Orchestra, and the All-State Symphonic Bando He also participated four years in the Junior ROTC serving as its Flight Class Commander and its Reservist Commander as a senior. His peers selected him to be a member of the HHS Homecoming Court.

In addition to excelling in the classroom, displaying his musical talents, and serving in JROTC, Mr. Cunningham found time to be a member of the Robotics Team being a Dean’s List Semi-Finalist in the First Robotics Competition. He also was active in the community assisting in Hurricane Ida relief efforts, volunteering for Feeding the Homeless at St. Mark’s Church, being a Youth Group Member of the New Life Community Church, and helped in the cleaning and maintenance of the Fallen Officer Memorial with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Cunningham is the son of Mr. George and Misty Cunningham of Luling. Mr. Cunningham plans to continue his musical career as a member of the Sound of Today Marching Band at the University of Louisiana Monroe where he plans to study Radiologic Technology.