Students of the Year and Teachers of Year at St. Edmund Catholic School

St. Edmund Catholic School honored their 2015-2016 Students of the Year, fifth-grader, eighth-grader, and 12th grader students were chosen.
Each year, St. Edmund Catholic School participates in the Louisiana Department of Education’s Student of the Year Program. This program is designed to recognize outstanding elementary, middle/junior high, and high school students.
This program is an excellent opportunity to recognize from each school system those students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement.
The criteria are set by the Louisiana Department of Education for all schools to follow. Students in the fifth, eighth, and 12th-grades with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above are eligible to participate in the program.
Chosen as Fifth-grade Student of the Year is Anna Grace Fruge, Alina Darbonne was selected Eighth-grade Student of the Year; and Sydney Thibodeaux is 12th-grade Student of the Year at St. Edmund Catholic High School.
Anna Grace Fruge is the son of Chris and Virginia Fruge of Eunice. Fruge’s activities include: Grades 3-5; 4-H Club and 4-H Camp-2014-2015; City Softball Team-2013-present; City Softball All Star Team- 2014; Travel softball team-2015-present; Jr. Beta Club (maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher)-2015-present; DARE Graduate-2015; St. Edmund Basketball Team -2015-present; Dancing-2012-present; Dance team competition-2014-2015; Gymnastics-2013-present; Altar server-2015 until present.
Fruge’s honors and awards are numerous. They include, from grades 3-5, St. Edmund Blue Book recipient–2011-present; Young Christian Award-2011; Livestock Exhibitor in 4-H Livestock show (Sheep Showman, second in State)-2013-2015; St. Edmund Accelerated Reader award (2012-2014); Physical Education sportsmanship Award-2012.
Eighth-grade Student of the Year Alina Darbonne is the daughter of Rocky Darbonne and Candace LeBouef of Eunice.
Darbonne is known for her leadership positions at the high school, where she was co-captain of her 7th grade basketball team (2014) and she is an 8th grade basketball team member.
Darbonne’s school activities include: T-Jay Cheerleader -2015; Junior Beta Club, where she received service hours for visiting nursing home residents-2013; National Junior Honor Society member – 2014; St. Edmund basketball team member (2013-2015); and a St. Edmund Softball team member (2013).
Darbonne’s honors and awards at school include: third place in The Catholic Daughters drawing contest.
Twelfth Grade Student of the Year Sydney Thibodeaux is the daughter of Steven and Stacey Thibodeaux of Ville Platte.
Thibodeaux’s serves numerous leadership positions at school. They include: co-captain Varsity Drumline-2015-2016; Captain of the Varsity Drumline- 2013-2014; and National Honor Society President-2012-2013.
Her activities she is involved in at school are: St. Edmund Drummer-2012-2016; Literary Rally participant-2012-2016; National Honor Society member-2014-2016; National Junior Honor Society member-2012-2014; member of the ACT 22+ Club-2013-2016; Track member-2012-2016; Cross Country member-2012-2016; Basketball team player-2012-2016; Softball player-2012-2016; Campus Ministry member-2016; Miss Heart of the USA Organization-2012; a member of the EAGLES Talented and Gifted Program-2012-2016.
Thibodeaux’s school honors and awards are numerous. They include: Cross Country-Academic All State (2015), State Qualifier (2012-2015), All District Runner (2013); Softball-All Parish 2nd Team (2014,2015), All District Honorable Mention (2014), All District 2nd Team (2015); Track-District 4th place (2014), Regional Qualifier (2014); Basketball-State Quarterfinalist (2012-2013), All District Honorable Mention (2013-2014); Literary Rally-District Runner up in Civics (2012), District Champ in Geometry (2013), State Rally 2nd place in Geometry (2014), District Champ in Algebra II (2014); ACT 22+ Club-2014; A.C.E. Letterman-2014-2016; Top Student-2015.
Teachers of the Year at St. Edmund High School were honored and named.
Michelle Newsom is Elementary Teacher of the Year. Newsom has been employed at St. Edmund since 2005. She has taught Pre-k for one year and is in her fourth year teaching first grade.
Newsom earned a bachelor’s of science degree from USL in 1993 and earned certification in elementary education from UL Lafayette.
Kasey Marcantel was named Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Marcantel teaches physical science, biology, chemistry, chemistry honors and seventh-grade science.
She earned her bachelors of science degree from McNeese State University in 2007, and earned a non-public school qualification in science in 2012.
Marcantel has been employed at St. Edmund since 2012.
Brian and Holly Vidrine were named Supporters of the Year at St. Edmund Catholich School.
Holly previously served as the schools’ PTC president for four consecutive years and coordinated various fund raisers for the school.
Brian has devoted much of his time as a volunteer coach. He has given generously of his time and talents in various school improvement projects.