Terrebonne High School's Evan Blanchard named parish's 2021 Teenager of the Year
Evan Blanchard, a senior at Terrebonne High, has been named the parish's 2021 Teenager of the Year.
The award, given annually since 1957, was delivered Wednesday night by Houma's American Legion post during a ceremony at the Regional Military Museum on Barrow Street.
Among accomplishments, Blanchard is ranked second in his class and was named to this year’s All-State Symphonic Band for alto saxophone, Terrebonne High Principal Scotty Dryden said. Blanchard was also recognized as a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Blanchard plans to attend college and become an aerospace engineer.
His mother, Alesia Blanchard, teared up when his name was announced.
“It’s God-given,” Blanchard said. “Evan set a standard for himself that he’s achieved.”
Blanchard said he is honored to be recognized among 28 nominees, who deserve the award as much as he does.
“It’s great to be able to meet these folks,” Blanchard said.
Here's a look at some of the other nominees:
H.L. Bourgeois High's DaJorean Curry was named homecoming king, second-team All-Bayou Region Football Team and helped put tarps on neighbors’ roofs after Hurricane Ida.
Houma Christian School’s Zoe Sissac represented Terrebonne Parish at the Legislative Youth Advisory Council Conference in Baton Rouge last year. Sissac is part of the Varsity Quiz Bowl team that placed second in the south Louisiana tournament, and she scored over 30 on the ACT.
South Terrebonne High’s Rhett Williams is Senior Class president, plays on the tennis team and is a proud member of the United Houma Nation. He plans to attend Harvard and then work to serve Native American communities by providing mental health services and resources.
The award honors a Terrebonne high school student who has best served in his or her community, school and church. The winner will be further recognized next week at the annual Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Banquet.
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Terrebonne Council Chairman Darrin Guidry said he hopes to see the young leaders stay in the parish.
"You are the future of the parish," Guidry told the seniors.
Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence Executive Director Ashlee Barahona, the ceremony's guest speaker, said all of the nominees have demonstrated they have the foundation for success.
“The potential each one of you has isn’t just good, it’s great,” Barahona said. “I look forward to all of your accomplishments not only for the community but for this state and for this world.”
Here is a list of all the nominees.
Covenant Christian School
Isabella Boudreaux.
Cahil Picou.
Amelie Wilkinson.
Ellender High
Kason Hebert.
Ramiyah Rounds.
Lexi Strange.
Edmary Talavera.
H.L. Bourgeois High
Deborah Baudoin.
DaJorean Curry.
Noah Prosperie.
Magen Theriot.
Houma Christian School
Colette Benoit.
Emily Voisin.
Cami Voisin.
Zoe Sissac.
South Terrebonne High
Christian Arceneaux.
Marley Dardar.
Carley Pinel.
Rhett Williams.
St. Triphyllius Academy
Thomas Massey.
Terrebonne High
Evan Blanchard.
Justin Dufresne.
Andrew Nettleton.
Gavin Porche.
Vandebilt High
Mason Himel.
Mia Martin.
Avery Kate “Katie” Westbrook.
Isabella Ourso.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: Evan Blanchard honored as Terrebonne's 2021 Teenager of the Year
