LAPLACE — Norshelys Lopez, who dreams of opening her own restaurant one day, has always wanted to have a meal at the upscale LaPlace eatery, Petra.

Because she is such a good student, she finally got her chance.

Lopez, who just completed the fifth grade at East St. John Elementary School, was St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools’ Fifth Grade Student of the Year.

As a reward, St. John Parish President Natalie Robottom invited Lopez and all the other stellar students, teachers and principals in the parish to lunch.

Joining Robottom, Schools Superintendent Kevin George, School Board members Russ Wise and Keith Jones and other Parish officials were several valedictorians and salutatorians from the local public and private schools, as well as some of the students of the year.

Stacy Bradford, who was the District’s Principal of the Year, and Jennifer Brock, the District’s Teacher of the Year and a state semifinalist, also were honored.

Robottom said it’s important to let the students know their parish leaders are proud of them.

“Coming from an education background and knowing how hard it is as a student and as the administrators and teachers, I think it’s important that we encourage and reward them for striving for excellence,” said Robottom, who was a speech therapist before moving into politics. “We started it five or six years ago and we get to know the students that excelled. I do think it’s important, not just at the school level, that they’re acknowledged, but also as the Parish President. It’s the cream of the crop for the school systems in the parish.”

Besides a lunch of pork roast, fried catfish and seafood pasta, each student received a certificate, along with a photograph with Robottom.

“This event is like a huge reward to me,” Lopez said. “I’ve always wanted to come here and I’m glad I finally got to. And, I’m glad I got to see my principal again, Mr. Bradford.”

Mallory Brignac, co-valedictorian at St. Charles Catholic, said the event showed Parish leaders appreciate students’ hard work.

“It’s really an honor to be here because it shows that the Parish President and everyone involved with the government cares about the education of the youth, and that’s really important,” she said.

It also was a chance for students from around the area to meet each other.

“I love this event,” said Paige Edler, a recent East St. John High School graduate who earned the district’s High School Student of the Year honor.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to mingle with those leaders in our community and with some of the other top students in our community. We’re moving on to bigger and better things. For us to be here and to be honored — with a good lunch to add on to it — is a very nice and important thing.”

George said he thinks it’s wonderful that the Parish government looks recognizes the accomplishments of local teachers and students.

“It just makes it feel like a family atmosphere, that we’re all working together as one,” he said. “It’s a benefit for the parish and for the community as a whole.”

Aspen Steib Murphy, community relations coordinator for Marathon Petroleum Company, was the guest speaker, telling the students not to allow their fears to hold them back.

Murphy, who has worked as an actress and TV host, related how frightening it was to go off to college at Howard University in Washington, D.C. shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“I was definitely afraid and my parents were terrified,” Murphy said. “They begged me to stay home. I was scared, but choosing to go to Howard was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

“Your dreams will always exist side by side with your fears. Choose your dreams over fear.”