CROWLEY – A conference room full of proud parents and happy students looked on as the Acadia Parish School Board offered congratulations to many well deserving students for their recent achievements Monday night.

The board had three sets of students to recognize and the students ranged from first graders all the way to the senior class.

First up on the agenda was Hailey Johnson, who is rounding out her term as state 4-H president.

The board had the opportunity to hear and meet Johnson at its recent state convention and asked her to speak and be recognized at its March meeting.

Superintendent John Bourque introduced Johnson to the board and those in attendance, remarking how special an individual she is.

“If this is not what education is all about, I mean it’s great,” he said. “She really represented Acadia Parish really well.”

Johnson took her time to speak how much 4-H has helped her grow as an individual, from her shy days in sixth grade to a state officer the past three years. She also talked about the “4-H family” she has come to know through her years. Johnson ended her time thanking the board for its continued support of the program.

“I would like to say thank you for your support of the 4-H program on a school, parish, regional and even state level,” she said. “I am proud to be from Acadia Parish.”

Acadia Parish Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance and Transportation Paul DeRousselle then took the floor to recognize all of the local students of the year. In the tight competition, 14 elementary school students, 10 middle school students and five high school students competed to earn the honor of Acadia Parish fifth, eighth and 12th grade students of the year, respectively. All of the students in attendance also enjoyed a reception following their recognition.

The three winners also competed at the regional level and the parish is anxiously awaiting the results of the regional round.

Receiving plaques of congratulations were Fifth Grade Student of the Year Caitlin Woodward, Morse Elementary School; Eighth Grade Student of the Year Michael Bray, Crowley Middle School; and 12th Grade Student of the Year Kyle Carriere, Church Point High School.

The board congratulated all of the students and had a special message for the parents in the audience.

“Mom and dad, be very proud of your children,” said School Board President Doug LaCombe.

Winners of the Young Authors Contest were also announced and recognized at the meeting. Three public and one private school in the parish entered the voluntary competition–Armstrong Middle School, Branch Elementary School, Rayne Catholic School and, for the first time, Mermentau Elementary School.

Those placing first, second, third and honorable mention at the parish level were recognized. As well as those who placed at the next level.

The parish will learn in May how the four students who went on to state placed.