Gabrielle Lois deBruler was named the recipient of the 2017 Robert C. Menezes Sr. Memorial Community Scholarship at Hahnville High School’s May 3 awards ceremony. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated leadership abilities, academic achievement and contributions to the local community.
The recipient must also be a graduating senior selected by the school and is 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 are very pleased with the school’s selection of Ms. deBruler as this year’s recipient,” said Doris Menezes, widow of Coach Menezes, who presented the scholarship at the awards ceremony. “She is an outstanding student, a school leader, and is committed to her church and her community. We’re honored to be a part of her exciting future.”
deBruler maintained a high 4.0-grade point average in the classroom earning Summa Cum Laude and was named on the Superintendent’s List for four years.
She received the TOPS Honors Award, was selected to the National and Spanish Honor Societies and to the Beta Club and International Thespian Society for four years. She served as an officer in each of the several honor societies.
At the school, deBruler was elected to the Student Council for four years, serving two years as vice president and as president her senior year.
She played on the softball team and served as its head manager for four years. She participated in Louisiana Girl’s State, being selected to the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Council, and was selected to the Homecoming Court for her good character.
She served on the school’s Student Advisory Team, was a freshman advisory mentor, and participated in the Louisiana Thespian, Louisiana Youth Seminar and the Student Council Summer Leadership Workshops during the summers.
deBruler was a top finalist for Student of the Year.
In addition to her many achievements in the classroom and at school, deBruler was active in her church and community. She was a catechist for first graders at Holy Family Catholic Church, volunteered at Mimosa Park Elementary School, the Luling Living Center for the elderly, the Rotary Club’s Alligator Festival, and planned and implemented classroom lessons at the Brown Service Learning Center. She served on the Superintendent’s Advisory and Monsanto’s Community Advisory Committees.
As part of her senior project, she developed and implemented projects as part of the National Kindness Campaign, an anti-bullying and bullying awareness and prevention initiative.
deBruler is the daughter of William and Michele deBruler of Luling.
She is considering attending LSU, Loyola or Springhill College and plans to study Mass Communications or Political Science with a minor in Theatre.
Be the first to comment