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LAPLACE – Parish President Jaclyn Hotard and staff, joined by many officials and school administrators, held an Academic Excellence Luncheon to honor valedictorians, salutatorians, students and teachers of the year from all public, private, and Catholic schools in St. John.

Certificates of Achievement and awards for all participants were presented. Parish President Hotard offered words of congratulations. “This luncheon is a celebration and testament to your hard work and perseverance. Not only did you adapt to anything that has come your way, but you rose above it, professionally and academically which should be commended,” she stated.

Dr. Ernest Jr. Ricks and Ms. Na’Kia Ricks, siblings who graduated from East St. John High School, served as the guest speakers. Dr. Ricks currently holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences and is the Director of Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences at Morehouse School of Medicine. Na’Kia has worked in the tech industry for almost 10 years and currently serves as a customer service manager for Flexera Software.

They told attendees, “Today, we honor your extraordinary accomplishments, but this is only the beginning. Let it serve as a springboard for even greater achievements, a catalyst for positive change, and a reminder that the quest for greatness is an ongoing one. Accept every opportunity, cherish every setback, and never lose sight of the stars waiting to be touched.”

For more information about St. John Parish, visit www.sjbparish.gov, Facebook, and Instagram, or by tuning in to the government access channel.