We Finally Have A Winner!

Kimberly Woods-Hopwood, MAPS, MSW, Administrative Assistant for Offices of Catholic Schools & Faith Formation - Diocese of Shreveport

FOR DECADES, ALL THE SCHOOLS (PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND CATHOLIC) IN LOUISIANA HAVE JOINED THE PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM IN THE SELECTION OF THE STUDENT OF THE YEAR.

Time and time again, our Catholic school students would be hedged out by public school students that were continually chosen over Catholic school students. Not once have the Catholic schools ever won the state level competition. Even though Catholic school students were held to a higher standard on the local school level with the added need to demonstrate discipleship, they had never won. After several years of discussion and approval by the Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley, the Louisiana Catholic schools got permission to separate and host its own Catholic School Student of the Year Program.

Under the direction of the seven superintendents and the coordination by the Deputy Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Martha Mundine, the Catholic Schools of Louisiana had a successful inaugural year for the Catholic School Student of the Year Program. All seven dioceses in the State of Louisiana (Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport, and the Archdiocese of New Orleans) sent their diocesan nominated students from grades 5th, 8th, and 12th to compete at the state level in Lafayette on March 2nd.

The Diocese of Shreveport was represented by the following students:

Peyton Reynolds (Grade 12)

St. Frederick High School

Parents: Brian and Rachel Reynolds

Brooke Bullock (Grade 8)

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School

Parents: Richard and Traci Bullock

Rosemary Paxton (Grade 5)

Jesus the Good Shepherd School

Parents: Albert and Lillian Paxton

Overall, these students demonstrated excellence in discipleship, leadership, service, citizenship, and academic achievement. Students submitted a portfolio of their accomplishments, interviewed at both the diocesan and state levels, and completed an on-the-spot writing prompt at the state level. Students then had to wait until the Awards Ceremony/Reception hosted at the Diocese of Lafayette on Friday, April 21st to know who would be selected as the Student of the Year for each participating grade. All 21 students and their families, as well as the superintendents, several principals (including our own Lisa Patrick and Trey Woodham), and a couple of local pastors were in attendance.

The Diocese of Shreveport is pleased to announce that our Jesus the Good Shepherd nominee, Rosemary Paxton, won 5th Grade Catholic Student of the Year 2023. Rosemary and her family were invited to the BESE Board Meeting in June, along with the 8th and 12th grade winners to be introduced and congratulated on their accomplishments.

Although our 12th grade nominee, Payton Reynolds, will be pursuing post-secondary education opportunities, our 8th grade nominee, Brooke Bullock, and 5th grade winner, Rosemary Paxton, will likely be eligible for the next grade level competition. Keep up the good work! May you continue to allow God to bless you and let His light shine through your words and actions.