MAKING THE GRADE

How far can studying hard in school really take you? For Hannah Orgeron of Destrehan, all the way to Washington D.C.

After boarding four airplanes and dealing with numerous airport layovers, Hannah Orgeron of Destrehan took her first-ever flight from Louisiana to Washington D.C. to take part in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center.

Hannah was nominated by her St. Rose Elementary School teacher, Lauraine Nassar, to attend the event which focuses on studying the tradition of leadership in American history while helping students develop their own leadership skills.

“I was so excited to go to Washington D.C.,” Hannah told the Herald-Guide.

“It was my first time on an airplane, but I wasn’t scared at all and I couldn’t wait to see all the sights,” she continued.

Nassar nominated Hannah because of her excellent scholastic merit, maturity and her ability to represent St. Charles Parish’s school system.

After her arrival in our nation’s capital city, Hannah took part in a wide variety of activities that allowed her to interact with other kids from across the country and the bright-eyed 11-year-old says that her favorite project was role playing as a lawyer in a mock trial.

“I got the chance to act as a lawyer in a trial that dealt with endangered animals,” says Hannah.

“I had to defend the animals and encourage others to do the same,” she says.

Hannah says that she had the chance to make friends with all three of her 4-H center roommates and declares that the most memorable part of the trip for her was being able to learn about America’s history, and having the opportunity to see the Lincoln Memorial.

Hannah also says that he most important lesson she learned during her experience in Washington D.C. was, “you can conquer anything if you set you mind to it.”

Hannah, who is also the daughter of Brian and Michelle Orgeron, starts the 2007-2008 school year as a sixth grader at Albert Cammon Middle School in St. Rose and says that she wants to be a lawyer when she grows up.

Visit www.cylc.org for information on the event.