Louisiana Department of Education names finalists in Students of the Year competition

Keymonte Avery
·2 min read

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Louisiana Department of Education announced the finalists in the Louisiana Students of the Year competition.

According to the Department of Education, students in fifth, eighth and 12th grades across the state are recognized for their academic achievement, character, leadership skills and service to their community and schools. Selection committees in each region were asked to evaluate each student’s writing samples and interviews.

“Congratulations to each of these young leaders. This honor is a testament to their commitment to academic excellence,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. “As we celebrate the achievement of these remarkable students, we also recognize the unwavering support of their parents and educators.”

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The 2024 Students of the Year finalists include:

5th Grade

  • Elise Federico — Tchefuncte Middle in St. Tammany Parish

  • Dylan Graffeo — John L. Ory Communication Art Magnet in St. John Parish

  • Qiaoya “Georgie” Wang — Bayou Community Academy in Lafourche Parish

  • Bhavik Kondala — Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary Magnet in Caddo Parish

  • Ansley Elder — Cherokee Elementary in Rapides Parish

  • Kendall Vaughn — South Fork Elementary in Livingston Parish

  • Adeline Reddit — South Beauregard Upper Elementary in Beauregard Parish

  • Dean Cicero — Brusly Upper Elementary in West Baton Rouge Parish

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8th Grade

  • Alvin Su — Hynes Charter School in Orleans Parish

  • Sasha Mardon — The Willow School in Orleans Parish

  • Tyren Austin — B. Edward Boudreaux Middle in St. Mary Parish

  • Luka Mikaberidze — Caddo Magnet Middle in Caddo Parish

  • Lillianna Rose — East Ouachita Middle in Ouachita Parish

  • Madilyn Whitmore — Westdale Middle in East Baton Rouge Parish

  • Hyacinth Williamson — Welsh-Roanoke Jr. High in Jefferson Davis Parish

  • Helen Lavassuer — West Feliciana Middle in West Feliciana Parish

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12th Grade

  • Jaelyn Graham — Northshore High in St. Tammany Parish

  • Sean Baltazar — Destrehan High in St. Charles Parish

  • Evan Louviere — South Lafourche High in Lafourche Parish

  • Zachary Cryer — Benton High in Bossier Parish

  • Hannah Buckley — Ouachita Parish High in Ouachita Parish

  • Lauryn Smith — Varnado High in Washington Parish

  • Ali Habib — Lafayette High in Lafayette Parish

  • Josi Lemelle — Eunice High in St. Landry Parish

One student from each grade will be selected as the Student of the Year. Finalists will meet at the River Center Branch Library in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, April 10.

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