Eric Jones from Destrehan High, Saniya Abbas from Albert Cammon Middle and Jackson Porter from R. J. Vial Elementary have been named the St. Charles Parish Public Schools 2020-2021 Students of the Year.
Each winner will move on to compete in the regional contest in 2021.
To be selected as a student of the year, a student must earn a cumulative 3.1 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.
Eric Jones
Jones, the son of Tiffany Jones and the late Eddie Jones Jr., is a senior at DHS.
He has been active in several leadership roles in high school, including serving as vice president of the National Honor Society, student advocate on the superintendent advisory council, senator on the student council, fundraising vice president for the Beta Club and as a mentor in the wildcat mentor program. Other extra-curriculars include the Interact Club, Tulane Pre-College, the Bayer Community Advisory Panel, Congress of Future Medical Leaders, National Student Leadership Conference, River Ridge School of Music and Dance, Duke TIP and Envision Advanced Medicine and Healthcare at John Hopkins University.
Jones has been a member of the football team during his time at Destrehan, as well as volunteered with several local organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank, Children’s Hospital and the Ormond Nursing Home.
He is a National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar, College Prep Scholar and Taylor Scholar. He has earned numerous other awards, recognitions and honors from local and national organizations.
After high school, Jones said he plans on attending college and majoring in biomedical engineering before pursuing medical school to become a neurosurgeon.
Saniya Abbas
Abbas, the daughter of Athar and Nazish Abbas, is an 8th grade student at Albert Cammon Middle School.
Abbas has served as cheer manager, 4-H president, baking class assistant, art class assistant, soccer coach assistant, student council representative and student council president during her time at Albert Cammon. She has also been a pirate peer mentor and tutor, yearbook club member, GYRL talk member, fall fling dance volunteer, Junior Beta member and on the theatre tech crew.
Abbas has flexed her leadership muscle in 4-H officer and leadership classes, as well as served as a library and Park-A-Boo volunteer. For the past several years she has spent time during her winter break to feed the homeless.
She has racked up a bevy of awards and recognitions, including but not limited to the Patrick F. Taylor Award, Duke TIP Talent Search, National Junior Beta Club Award, District Beta Marketing and Communication Award and LA Writes Youth Writing Contest Winner.
In her spare time, Abbas said she enjoys baking and writing. Her future career goal is to become an anesthesiologist.
Jackson Porter
Jackson Porter is a 5th grader at R.J. Vial Elementary School.
Porter has served as a peer leader, coach, mentor and football team captain. He has also been involved in talented theater and talented art, as well as completed many races as part of fundraising efforts.
He is a St. Mark Lutheran server. Porter has received many academic accolades, including but not limited to receiving first place in several Young Authors and LA Writes contests.
Porter said he enjoys taking care of animals and nature, including the ducks, chickens and garden he has at his home. He also enjoys playing guitar, hunting, fishing, health and fitness, basketball, football and baseball.
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