Natalie Poe is soon headed to Ruston to continue her studies at Louisiana Tech, but the Hahnville graduate will leave her hometown having impacted her school and local community for the better.
Poe was recently recognized for doing exactly that when she earned the 2024 Hilcorp Future Leaders of America scholarship, a $10,000 award created to recognize the outstanding leadership qualities of a graduating high school senior.
Poe is a member of the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy and was selected as this year’s Leader of Digital and Social Media. By being a member of CFALA, Poe volunteered for Toys for Tots, helped to raise money for the Pat Pitre Scholarship, and read books to students at Luling Elementary that were donated as a part of the Million Book Giveaway.
She is also a member of the First Baptist Church of Kenner and volunteered to assist with the recovery after Hurricane Ida, helping to help tear down walls and give out meals. She was also selected as a member of the 2023-24 Hahnville High School Homecoming Court.
Serving her community is important to her, and she enjoys being able to do so any way she can.
“It’s more like a pastime for me because I have a great time with my friends at the same time,” Poe said. “I’m still having fun, but I’m doing things for the betterment of the community. I enjoy doing it.”
The news of the scholarship came as a surprise to Poe, who credited her school counselors for advising her to apply.
“I turned (the application) in and hoped for the best,” Poe said. “I didn’t know until the night of the awards ceremony when they called my name … I was shocked. All of my friends were cheering for me … it was a great feeling.”
That scholarship will provide aid to her as she attends Louisiana Tech to study architecture.
“They’re known for their architecture program and known to put their students into the workforce right out of college. It was the best opportunity within the state for me,” Poe said.
“I’ve always enjoyed math and art, and (architecture) is a way to make a living from what I already enjoy doing,” Poe said.
She said the friendships she’s made at Hahnville and the experiences she’s shared along with them will be among the great memories she’ll carry on from her high school days. She added that the school brought out the best in her in several ways.
“Hahnville definitely challenged me and made me a better student,” Poe said. “I’ve taken multiple dual enrollment classes and definitely got ahead on education … it made me want to strive to be the best and helped me do everything I could to prepare for college.”
Poe is a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honors Society, and the Beta Club. Her grades have earned her Beta status and Summa Cum Laude for the last two years. She is also a recipient of the Women’s Club Scholarship.
