Allen Parish students were recognized for many types of achievements at March’s school board meeting including Students of the Year, a scholarship recipient and BETA Club members.
Students of the Year (SOY) candidates are selected from each school in grades five, eighth and 12. Those candidates compete for the parish title. If successful, students compete at the regional level and state level.
SOY candidates for the fifth grade parish title were Elizabeth High’s Cruz Avery Chandler, Fairview High’s Avery Jolie Williams, Kinder Middle’s Grace Jolie Courville, Oakdale Middle’s Maddox Jim Thompson and Oberlin Elementary’s Annabella Marie Lewis. The Reeves High candidate moved.
Ava Jolie Williams, known as A.J. was selected the Allen Parish Fifth Grade Student of the Year. She is the daughter Cody and Amy Williams.
“She is not only an outstanding student, but also actively participates in activities such as 4-H, basketball, softball, and church choir. Her positive attitude and desire to help others is evident both inside and outside the classroom. Avery always has a smile on her face and it is contagious to everyone around her. Her determination in all that she does leads to success whether in academics or athletics,” said Principal Jade Welch.
SOY candidates for the eighth grade parish title were Elizabeth High’s Karissa Nicole Odom, Fairview High’s Brenlea Rayann Carroll, Kinder Middle’s Ava Grace Fruge, Oakdale Middle’s Za’Kyra Deshae Spikes, Oberlin High’s Raven Elise Willis and Reeves High’s Hayden Frances Octavia Fontenot.
Ava Grace Fruge, daughter of Kaylyn and Blair Fontenot, is the Allen Parish Eighth Grade Student of the Year.
“Ava began her Kinder Middle School years in 2018 and has been one of our most treasured transfers,” said Acting Principal Marcia Miller. “Not only does Ava serve as our Student Council President, she serves in various clubs as well. Teachers, administrators, and the student body can all honestly say that Ava possesses all the attributes of a well-rounded student and leader. She excels academically in all subject areas, but more importantly she serves as a positive peer role model. Ava is an honest, straight forward student that does not let her successes surpass her thoughtfulness and ability to care for others. She remains humble through all of her achievements, and continues to strive to be a better student, leader, and friend.”
SOY candidates for the 12th grade parish title were Elizabeth High’s Morgan Ann Rogers, Fairview High’s Trinity Amelia Ritchie, Kinder High’s Chloe Mae Oliver, Oakdale High’s Ashton Brooke Gilley, Oberlin High’s Audrey Grace Marie Witherington and Reeves High’s Daniel Caleb Todd.
Chloe Mae Oliver was named the Allen Parish 12th grade Student of the Year. She is the daughter of Jodi and Richard “Boo” Oliver.
“Chloe Oliver has been an exemplary student at KHS during her four year tenure,” KHS Principal Melody LaFleur said. “She has been actively involved in softball, basketball, livestock, FBLA, and Beta all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She has taken dual enrollment classes to earn college credit. She has signed an intent to play softball at William and Mary University. Upon graduation she plans to major in medicine to become a doctor. We are very proud of all of her endeavors and we wish her the very best in her future.”
Marla Sanders and Lori Lemons are co-district student coordinator for the SOY project. Sanders announced Fruge, the eighth grade SOY won at the regional level. She is one of six who will compete at the state level.
“We are so very proud of her and would like to take this time to say congratulations and good luck,” Sanders said.
The board also learned Trinity Ritchie received the LASAFAP Scholarship. The conference was held in Shreveport recently, and eight high school students received a $1,000 scholarship each. Last year a student at Kinder High received a scholarship, and this year it’s a student from Fairview High.
Kinder Middle School’s BETA Club captured first place in two divisions – Living Literature and Apparel Design – at the state convention in Lafayette recently. This was the first time Kinder had participated in Living Literature, and they placed first. The club asked to travel to Forth Worth, Texas, from June 18, to June 21, to compete in the national convention.
Amanda Courville explained students had to create a scene from a literary piece of work for this competition and perform a still-life scene of the work. They chose Little Women.
Students also competed in Apparel Design with a t-shirt design.
The board gave the club permission to attend the June convention. The board also approved an out-of-state trip for Donna Stewart and Oakdale High School Food Service Class to attend Cooking Around the World at Epcot in Orlando, Florida, from April 23, to April 28.
In his comments, Superintendent Reed announced March 17, all juniors and some seniors would be taking the ACT test. He said three ACT boot camps were given and 95 students participated. The third boot camp with 39 students registered will be held March 10.
Reed said LEAP 2025 computerized testing for grades five to eight would begin March 30. Paper testing for third and four will be held in April.
Reed said he has been in contact with school administrators to discuss guidelines or direction in regards to the coronavirus. If school had to be closed, they have discussed alternate plans for state testing.
In his update on construction projects in Kinder, he said the slab at the middle and elementary schools should be poured in the next couple of week. The concrete footings for the slab at the high school were poured Saturday, and the contractor believes weather permitting, the concrete slab for the new gymnasium could be poured Tuesday, March 10.
The board approved two change orders for Kinder’s construction projects totaling $2,638 and $17,800. This would bring the sewer lift station up-to-code for the high school gym and help with drainage by the field house.
The board authorized the superintendent to sign contracts for product prices and services using E-Rate monies with Detel and iConvergence.
In his final comments, Reed remember Alma Jo Johnson, who recently died. He said she was a lifelong educator in Allen Parish spending a total of 51 years improving the eduction of children in this parish. She was a teacher, administrator and co-director of Chapter One for 39 years and a board member from 2003-2014.
