Iberia Parish student finalist for Student of the Year

The Louisiana Department of Education announced 21 finalists for the annual Students of the Year competition and an Iberia Parish student is a finalist in the middle school category. 

BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) – The Louisiana Department of Education announced 21 finalists for the annual Students of the Year competition and an Iberia Parish student is a finalist in the middle school category. 

Jeremy Diaz, an 8th grader at Belle Place Middle School in Loreauville is a finalist. Diaz competed with fellow students at the school system level. Students are chosen based on academics, leadership skills, character, and service to their schools and communities. The schools were then asked to submit one candidate from their student body. 

The students selected include one elementary, middle and high school student from each of the state’s seven regions. The finalists represent public, public charter, and nonpublic schools. The student finalists will participate in an awards ceremony on April 13, when the winners will be announced for each category.

“I’m proud of each of these students and honored to have them represent us as Louisiana Student of the Year finalists,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. 

Here’s a complete list of the finalists for Student of the Year:

Elementary School (Grade 5)

• Eden Trainor, Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary Magnet School, Caddo Parish

• Ellen Semmes, Kiroli Elementary, Ouachita Parish

• Steely Jordan, South Beauregard Upper Elementary, Beauregard Parish

• Adeline Guidry, Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School, East Baton Rouge Parish

• Ramy Dali, Lacoste Elementary School, St. Bernard Parish

• Harrison Tarver, Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School, Diocese of Shreveport

• Jayden Gardere, Lusher Charter School, Advocates for Arts-Based Education Corporation, NOLA Public Schools

Middle School (Grade 8)

• Melissa Le, A.E. Phillips Laboratory School, Lincoln Parish

• Elliana Sheppard, East Ouachita Middle School, Ouachita Parish

• Jeremy Diaz, Belle Place Middle School, Iberia Parish

• Ava Guillory, Monteleone Junior High School, St. Tammany Parish

• Hannah Wen, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, Jefferson Parish

• Elizabeth “Ellie” Franks, Saint Joseph Catholic School, Diocese of Shreveport

• Richard “Ben” Blevins, Lusher Charter School, Advocates for Arts-Based Education Corporation, NOLA Public Schools

High School (Grade 12)

• Olutunmike Adeleye, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts

• Zachary Johnson, West Monroe High School, Ouachita Parish

• Alonnie Celestine, Alfred M. Barbe High School, Calcasieu Parish

• Elise Strain, Fontainebleau High School, St. Tammany Parish

• Allie Johnson, Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, Jefferson Parish

• Lorraine Steigner, Mount Carmel Academy, Archdiocese of New Orleans

• Anita Zahiri, Benjamin Franklin High School, Advocates for Academic Excellence in Education, NOLA Public Schools