Ascension Public Schools announces the 2026-27 Students of the Year for fifth, eighth, and twelfth grades. These outstanding students will be recognized before the Ascension Parish School Board meeting on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. on the campus of Donaldsonville High School.
“We are incredibly proud of these outstanding young men and women who exemplify the very best of Ascension Public Schools,” said Superintendent Edith M. Walker, Ed.D. “These students are not only exceptional scholars, but also leaders of character who demonstrate integrity, compassion, service, and a commitment to excellence. They represent the bright future of our community, and we celebrate their accomplishments, the families who support them, and the educators who inspire them to reach their full potential.”
FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR
EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR
Caroline Winburn, Bluff Middle School
Rowan Vezinat, Central Middle School
Raegan Williams, Dutchtown Middle School
Jase Cain, Galvez Middle School
Yailianiz Marie Ramirez Cruz, Gonzales Middle School
Simone Nelson, Lake Middle School
Te’yanna Washington, Lowery Middle School
Rosalie Sandridge, Prairieville Middle School
Kennedi Taylor, St. Amant Middle Schoo
TWELFTH GRADE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR
Anai Givens, Donaldsonville High School
Annika Small, Dutchtown High School
Amanda Irizarry, East Ascension High School
Brea Evans, St. Amant High School
Callie Townsend, Prairieville High School
In order to be considered for the Student of the Year process, Schools identify students who meet the academic requirements, and teachers vote, considering academics, behavior, and leadership. Students receiving the most votes move forward to the school competition. Next, a school committee of staff and stakeholders reviews the candidates’ portfolios and interviews them. The highest-scoring student becomes the school’s Student of the Year for that grade level. From there, our school winners advance to the district competition, where one fifth grader, one eighth grader, and one twelfth grader are selected.
NEXT STEPS:
District winners will be entered into a state level competition where a selection committee identifies semifinalists with each BESE region. A second committee selects one finalist per grade level from each region. The finalist review committee selects Louisiana’s elementary, middle, and high school Students of the Year.
To see each school’s student of the year, visit AscensionSchools.org/SOY. For more information about Ascension Public Schools, visit AscensionSchools.org.
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