Board recognizes top students

As evident by the packed meeting room, it was a night to recognize high-achieving students in the parish at Monday night’s meeting of the Acadia Parish School Board.
Held at the John A. Bertrand Administrative Building, the 14 fifth graders, 10 eighth graders and five high school seniors that were chosen to represent their individual schools were honored during the board’s February meeting before a reception held in an adjacent building. Special acknowledgment was paid to the winners of the parish competition. They are:
• Dycie Touchet, fifth grade, Estherwood Elementary School.
She is daughter of Mollie Hebert.
• Taylor Meche, eighth grade, Mire Elementary School.
She is the daughter of Shane and Shannon Meche.
• Whitney Fontenot, 12th grade, Rayne High School.
She is the daughter of Scott and Ramona Fontenot
Earlier in the year, the 29 students competed for the titles through a portfolio, writing portion and an interview over two days. The students chosen as the Acadia Parish Students of the Year go on to compete at the next level annually.
But, in the meantime, the school board looked to recognize the achievement of these individuals. It started the day of the competition with polo shirts provided by the school board and the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office. Then, after the selections were made, all 29 were given the red carpet treatment with their entrance; the three chosen as the parish Students of the Year arrived in true style – a limo – to the meeting. Finally, the board held a reception and presents gift bags for the students.
The board congratulated all the students in attendance and their parents for a job well done on all their hard work.
“Congratulations to everybody in this room” said Superintendent John Bourque.
“On behalf of the board, it is great to see that you have accepted the challenges the state has put before you,” added Board President Doug LaCombe; “with all the new testing coming out, I know you will all do great.
Making the presentations were Paul De Rousselle, supervisor of child welfare and attendance, and Antoinette Pete, coordinator of parent involvement.
The meeting also saw K.P. Gibson openly announce his candidacy for Acadia Parish Sheriff in October’s election. Gibson also stated that he would be happy to help the board in any way possible, not only as sheriff potentially, but as chief of police of the city of Crowley, his current position.
Due to the timing of the Easter holiday, the board has opted to move its April meeting to the third Monday, the 20th. March 18 will serve as this month’s committee meetings date.