By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LULING — The 2014-2015 St. Charles Parish Students of the Year — announced at a December ceremony as Anna Fuselier Byrd of Lakewood Elementary School, Conner Fisk of Harry Hurst Middle School and Kristen Yent of Destrehan High School — will move on to compete in February’s regional contest.

“Our Students of the Year have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, citizenship and leadership ability,” School Board President Jay Robichaux said.

Rachel Allemand, an assistant superintendent for St. Charles Parish Public Schools, said the parish’s Students of the Year Awards Program is designed to recognize outstanding elementary, middle and high school students.

“The program, patterned after the Teachers of the Year Awards Program, is an excellent opportunity to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability and citizenship,” Allemand said, adding the Students of the Year Awards Program is sponsored by Louisiana State Superintendent John White through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

To be selected as a St. Charles Parish Student of the Year, a student must earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Allemand said the state allows only one fifth, eighth and 12th grader from each parish to advance to the regional-level competition.

All Students of the Year must compile a portfolio, write a biographical sketch and be interviewed by a Student Achievement Committee, who has the responsibility of selecting the parish-level winners.

The committee is comprised of parish Teachers of the Year, community representatives and a school system representative.

Elementary School Student of the Year nominees for the 2014-2015 school year included Karlie Dufrene of R.J. Vial Elementary School, Indira Escobar of St. Rose Elementary School, Anna Fuselier of Lakewood Elementary School, Anahja Hickerson of Luling Elementary School, Madison Neighbors of Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School and Jake Steib of Norco Elementary School.

Middle School Student of the Year nominees for the 2014-2015 school year included Gabrielle Abate of Albert Cammon Middle School, Conner Fisk of Harry Hurst Middle School, Peyton Tastet of J.B. Martin Middle School and Jailyn Williams of R.K. Smith Middle School.

High School Student of the Year nominees for the 2014-2015 school year included Julian Turner of Hahnville High School and Kristen Yent of Destrehan High School.

Superintendent Felecia Gomez-Walker said the nominees were “selected as some of the best and brightest in the St. Charles Parish Public School System.”