Students of the Year

Students of the Year from each school in St. Charles Parish took to the red carpet for the second year to be recognized for their achievements.

The Dec. 1 event was held at the AMC Elmwood movie theater in New Orleans. To be selected as a Student of the Year, a student must earn a cumulative 3.5 grade point average and be in grade 5, 8 or 12. All Students of the Year must compile a portfolio, write a biographical sketch and be interviewed by a Student Achievement Committee.

This year’s winners included Layne Carlson (Ethel Schoeffner Elementary),  Donna Hinrichs (R.J. Vial Elementary), Gabrielle Matherne (Lakewood Elementary), Destiny Walker (Luling Elementary), Christopher Walther (St. Rose Elementary), Lisa Dempsey (Harry Hurst Middle), Landon Kinler (R.K. Smith Middle), Jai’Juan Manuel (J.B. Martin Middle), Hailey Robert (Albert Cammon Middle), Logan Roussel (Norco Elementary 4-6), Elise deBruler (Hahnville High) and Derrel Wilright (Destrehan High). They each received an acrylic movie poster plaque with their name and picture from Superintendent Rodney Lafon.

Three of the students students: Donna Hinrichs, Lisa Dempsey and Derrell Wilright, will go on to compete for student of the year in their age group at the regional level.

Donna Marie Hinrichs was named the St. Charles Parish Elementary School Student of the Year. She will continue on to compete for Student of the Year at the regional level.

“I was so excited I actually started crying,” Donna said.

Donna is a 5th grade student at R.J. Vial Elementary and has been a member of the St. Charles Storm Soccer Team, R.J. Vial 4-H Club, St. Charles Recreational Softball and Soccer teams and the Allemands Elementary Cajun Dancers. She is also an altar server at St. Gertrude Catholic Church, plays alto saxophone in the R.J. Vial Band, attends St. Gertrude Bible School and St. Charles Parish Young Writers’ Camp, and is a “tech expert” in her technology class.

Donna said she considers herself a leader because “I have the right to make my own choices and I do.”

She has won numerous awards so far in her academic career, including 2nd place in the R.J. Vial Young Authors Contest and 1st place in the Louisiana Young Authors Contest, and has placed on the Principal’s List and received Certificates of Award multiple times.

Lisa Melissa Dempsey is an 8th grade student at Harry Hurst Middle School.

“I felt like I was actually in trouble because they called me to the vice principal’s office,” Lisa said about when she learned she was Hurst Middle’s Student of the Year.
She was also named the St. Charles Parish MIddle School Student of the Year. She will join numerous middle school students from southeast Louisiana when she competes at the regional level for Student of the Year. Lisa has served on the board of both the Jr. Beta Club and the HMS Cheerleaders. She also actively volunteers as a kindergarten tutor, Wetland Watcher and HMS book distributor, and she represents Destrehan Plantation as an Antebellum member. At Hurst Middle, she has won 1st place at the science fair and has been recognized for outstanding academic achievement and the honor roll. During her time at Ethel Shoeffner Elementary, she placed 1st in the Social Studies Fair, 1st in the District Young Authors Contest and was named a Parish of Plenty Pageant Deb Miss and won numerous citizenship awards.

Derrel Benjamin Wilright is a senior at Destrehan High School and will go on to compete at the regional level for High School Student of the Year.

“It was really a surprise…I’m grateful to have this opportunity,” he said about winning.

Derrel has been very involved in the community his entire life. He has served as co-captain during Relay for Life, Kitty Hawk Co-Commander in JROTC, a mentor in Kick-Off Mentoring and president of Beta Club. He has also been involved in SADD, APT, Light the Night, Key Club, Louisiana Boys State Delegate, March of Dimes, Buddy Walk, Culture Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Interact Club, NHS, Race for the Cure and the D.C.C. Stomp Team. He has received many awards, including 3rd place in the science fair and the Exceptional Potential for Military Leadership Award.

He completed training to be an adult volunteer at Audubon Zoo and Aquarium and was named to this year’s Homecoming Court. Derrel said he considers himself to be both a leader and a follower. “I believe that being both (means) you’re being the best person you can be,” he said.

Layne Carlson is a 5th grade student at Ethel Schoeffner Elementary. She said that being named Student of the Year was “mindblowing” and that her classmates continue to congratulate her.
“That makes my heart melt,” she said. “I was up against my best friend and she congratulated me like I would have for her.”

Gabrielle Matherne is a 5th grade student at Lakewood Elementary. She was very excited to win. She said her mother is her role model because she is a loving person who volunteers much of her time to helping others. When Gabrielle grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian.

“Knowing that little animals get put down every day is just a horrible feeling,” she said.

When Destiny Walker was named Student of the Year at Luling Elementary, she was more surprised than anyone.

“I felt privileged and excited because of all the kids, I was the one who stood out the most,” she said.

When she grows up, Destiny hopes to be an author. In the meantime, she looks to her  mother as a role model and continues to be a leader in school.

Christopher Walther is a 5th grade student at St. Rose Elementary. He was very surprised to be chosen.
“I’m one of the first people in my family…to get Student of the Year,” he said.

He said his role model is St. Rose Elementary principal Merlyna Adams.

“She has been through a lot…she still went on as a great principal for SRE,” he said. Christopher said he wants to own an entertainment company when he grows up that will produce movies, video games and artwork.

Logan Roussel is a 5th grade student at Norco 4-6 Elementary. He said his role model is his grandfather, George Roussel, who fought in the Korean War and always tried to refrain from violence.

“Now he’s fighting his heart to stay alive and I think he’s really doing good with it,” Logan said.

When he grows up, Logan hopes to be a District Attorney or orthopedic surgeon.

Landon Kinler felt honored to be chosen as the R.K. Smith Middle Student of the Year. He said he has been a leader throughout his life, earning straight A’s and being elected the captain of his football team.

“I was the one everybody looked up to,” he said.

He said his role model is his father because he pushes Landon to do his best.

Jai’Juan Manuel is an 8th grade student at J.B. Martin Middle. She said it felt “awesome” to be chosen as Student of the Year. Of all her accomplishments, she said she is most proud of her singing ability.

She said her favorite subject is history.

“I love to learn how leaders have come and made a big change in this world and how we think about things,” she said.

Hailey Robert was selected as Student of the Year at Albert Cammon Middle. She has already received the honor once, in elementary school, and was surprised to have won again. Her favorite subject is science and her role model is her mother. She enjoys volunteering for the parish and at the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter with her mom.

Elise DeBruler was very excited to be named the HHS Student of the Year.

“After 12 years of hard work and dedication and all the awards I’ve received…it all culminated in this award,” she said.
Drew Brees is her role model because of his outstanding sportsmanship and dedication. She hopes to bring the softball team to win the state championship before graduating.