St. Edmund holds ‘Class Night’ ceremony

St. Edmund Catholic School held its Class Night ceremony May 21.
Senior Paige Duplechin led the Passing of the Candle.
According to St. Edmund tradition, “Each year the passing of the candle plays a very important part in our ceremony.
“We, the seniors of 2015, give to you juniors our light. This is the light of knowledge, leadership, and most importantly the light of Christ.
“Carry it proudly because it lights the way for those who come after you. You are the new leaders of St. Edmund Catholic High School.
“Hold your light high, guard it carefully because it symbolizes both the joy and the responsibility of being the seniors of 2016.”
Principal Sister Joel Miller presented senior awards.
Joel added, “We would like to recognize our honor graduates who have earned an overall weighted/honors GPA of 3.5 and above.
The recipients were Valedictorian Victoria Heinen and Salutatorian Payton Crowell.
Honor students were honored and recognized. Those included: Heather Bieber, Pierre DeRouen, Alix Paige Duplechin, Alexander Hunt, Jami LeBouef, Luke Matt, Margaret Miller, Richlyn Ortego, Samantha Parks, Magdalen Richard and Thaddeus Richard
Morghan Fontenot was recognized as a student of unweighted GPA of a 3.5.
The United Blood Services Red Cord award is given to graduates who help their community by donating blood during their senior year. Any student who donates blood twice within their senior year is eligible to receive a red cord.
United Blood Services representatives presented the following students with a red cord: Heather Bieber, Victoria Heinen, Baylee LaFleur, Jami LeBouef, Margaret Miller, Samantha Parks, Hans Redlich, Thaddeus Richard and Austin Sittig.
St. Edmund students scoring a 22 or higher on the ACT test were honored. Those included: Heather Bieber, Andrew Brown, Payton Crowell, Pierre DeRouen, Alix Paige Duplechin, Victoria Heinen, Alexander Hunt, Zachary LaFleur, Luke Matt, Nicholas Moreau, Richlyn Ortego, Samantha Parks, Magdalen Richard, Thaddeus Richard and Jacob Thibodeaux.
Pierre DeRouen was presented a plaque of recognition for service and leardship as student council president. Alix Paige Duplechin was awarded for serving as president of the senior class.
The Rev. Dustin Dought presented the Campus Apostolate Plaque of Recognition to Heather Bieber in recognition for her leadership as Campus Apostolate Team president.
National Honor Society Award was given to Samantha Parks for her leadership role as president of the National Honor Society.
Medals were presented to students with the Highest cumulative average in different subject areas.
English: Payton Crowell;
French: a tie-John Patrick Berzas and Jacob Thibodeaux;
Mathematics: Thaddeus Richard;
Science: Thaddeus Richard;
Spanish: Thaddeus Richard;
Social Studies: a tie- Payton Crowell and Richlyn Ortego
The Sister Mary Andre Mouton Religion Awards are given to students who have demonstrated and upheld the Christian values of faith. The recipients this year went to Heather Bieber and Alexander Hunt.
Participants and placement students in the District Literary Rally and State Literary Rally were recognized.
In the District Literary Rally, first-place winners received a $50 per year LSU Eunice scholarship and a certificate of appreciation. Second and third place winners received a certificate of appreciation.
The 2015 District Literary Rally winners are: John-Patrick Berzas, first place in advanced Math: Functions & Statistics; Heather Bieber, first place in Fine Arts Survey; Magdalen Richard, first place in Journalism; Thaddeus Richard, first place in Physics; Pierre DeRouen, first place in World History ; Alexander Hunt, second place in Advanced Math: Pre-Calculus; Richlyn Ortego, second place in English IV; and Margaret Miller, second place in Environmental Science.
The 2014 District Literary Rally Winners are: Payton Crowell first place in Spanish II; Samantha Parks, first place in English III; Thaddeus Richard, first place in Algebra II; Jacob Thibodeaux, first place in French II; Alexander Hunt, second place in Chemistry; Richlyn Ortego, second place in U.S. History.
In the State Literary Rally, students who placed first received a gold medal, second, a silver medal, and third, a bronze medal.
The 2015 State Literary Rally Winner was Pierre DeRouen, first place in World History.
The Amazing Grace Spirit Stick Award was first given to Emma Grace Duplechin, a 1959 graduate. According to Deborah Duplechin Harkins, “She wasn’t even a student. However, the students considered her part of their class.
“She served as class mother for 12 years; chaperoned class gatherings, helped build floats, bake cookies, bring May flowers, decorate the church, and any other chore that helped support the class and the school.
“It is our honor and privilege to create an award in her honor emulating the type of participation and school spirit.
“This award is presented to the student who best exemplifies the St. Edmund Blue Jay Spirit, is well-rounded, participates in school functions and programs, and is willing to be a future ambassador for the school.
“I am proud to present the Amazing Grace Spirit Stick Award and scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to Heather Bieber.”
The Rodney Edmund Landreneaux Jr. M.D. Memorial Award has been established to honor a senior who has demonstrated love, compassion, dedication, and service to our community. In addition, the senior must have performed well in history and science, and participated in athletics. The recipient is Heather Bieber.
The Woodman of the World American History Award is given to the student who has maintained the highest average in American history. The award recipients included Payton Crowell, Pierre DeRouen, Morghan Fontenot, and Richlyn Ortego.
The VFW Scholarship Award of $500 went to Jacob Thibodeaux.
The Eunice Junior Auxiliary scholarship of $250 was awarded to Samantha Parks.
The Sirius Technology Scholarship awards of $1,500 each are awarded each year. The first one, Stephanie Vidrine Memorial Scholarship, which is given this year to two students who are interested in pursuing an education in the medical field, especially in the area of pediatrics. This year’s awards went to Payton Crowell and Pierre DeRouen.
The second scholarship is the Sirius Technologies Scholarship, which is given to a student interested in pursuing an education in the technology field, which could include engineering, computers, or other technical fields. This year’s award went to Luke Matt.
St. Landry Parish Bar Association Scholarship of $500 was awarded to Pierre DeRouen.
Auburn Brown, president of the St. Edmund Academic Booster Club, presented two scholarships.
Brown said, “On behalf of the St. Edmund Academic Booster Club, I am proud to present scholarships in the amount of $250 each to Victoria Heinen as the Valedictorian and to Payton Crowell as the Salutatorian of the Class of 2015.
Eunice Kiwanis Club Scholarships of $250 each went to seniors Pierre DeRouen and Samantha Parks.
The Eunice Mardi Gras Association’s Hannah Landreneau Memorial Scholarship of $150 went to Morghan Fontenot.
The Captain Jim Smith Award, a $200 cash award given by John and Connie Baham of Eunice, went to Nicholas Moreau.
The Tri-Parish Bank of Eunice awards are presented to Valedictorian, Victoria Heinen, in the amount of $150, and to our Salutatorian, Payton Crowell, in the amount of $100.
The Jeff Davis Bank of Eunice scholarship award in the amount of $400 was presented to Heather Bieber.
The Eunice Rotary Club scholarships of $500 each to be used as a credit at the LSU Eunice bookstore was presented to Richlyn Ortego and Samantha Parks.
The Wendy’s High School Heisman Achievement Award went to Alix Paige Duplechin.
The Herff Jones “Believe In You” Principal’s Award is given to a student in recognition of their ability to combine academic excellence and exemplary leadership in school and community activities. This year, Richlyn Ortego, is the recipient.
Dr. John Hamlin, division head of the Science and Mathematics Department and associate professor of biology at LSU Eunice, presented scholarships to the following students: (These scholarships have been made possible through private donors and/or institutional funds)
Student Scholarship: Andrew Brown, Ray Kroc Memorial Scholarship, $1,000;
Pierre DeRouen, Centennial Honor Scholarship- $3,000;
Alix Paige Duplechin, Ruby Robison Freeland Scholarship, $2,000;
Victoria Heinen, Dr. Gladys Peck Memorial Scholarship, $2,000; Alexander Hunt- Centennial Honor Scholarship-$3,000; Jami LeBouef- Golden Award Scholarship-$500; Luke Matt- LSU-E Jeff Davis Bank Scholarship-$2,000; Richlyn Ortego- Chancellor’s Scholarship- $1,000; Samantha Parks-Golden Award Scholarship-$500; Magdalen Richard-Founding Chancellor Mumphrey Scholarship-$600; Thaddeus Richard- Centennial Honor Scholarship-$3,000 and Eunice Chamber of Commerce Scholarship-$250; and Jacob Thibodeaux- Centennial Honor Scholarship-$3,000.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette presented scholarships to the following students: Pierre DeRouen, Distinguished Freshman Scholarship, $1,000; Alix Paige Duplechin, Distinguished Freshman Scholarship, $1,000; Alexander Hunt, Academic Excellence Scholarship, $4,000; and Luke Matt, Distinguished Freshman Scholarship, $1,000.
Tulane University presented the following scholarships to Pierre DeRouen, The Tulane Scholarship of $14,000 and a Tulane Legislative Scholarship of $183,032.
Northwestern State University presented scholarships to Alexander Hunt, The Academic Excellence Scholarship, The Outstanding Student Scholarship and The President’s Honor Scholarship of $20,800.
The Belhaven University presented a scholarship to Alix Paige Duplechin- The Belhaven University Scholarship of $36,000.
Louisiana State University presented a scholarship to Thaddeus Richard- Tiger Excellence and Resident Award of $6,000.
Mississippi State University presented a scholarship to Alexander Hunt, Academic Excellence Scholarship of $50, 000.
Centenary College presented a scholarship to Alix Paige Duplechin, Academic Scholarship of $20,000.
McNeese State University presented scholarships to the following students: Alexander Hunt, Academic Scholarship Award of $8,000; Thaddeus Richard, Scholars Award & Resident Hall Scholarship of $16,000; and Jacob Thibodeaux, Academic Award of $8,000.
Mississippi College presented a scholarship award to Alexander Hunt, Academic Scholarship of $34,000.
Spring Hill College presented the following students with scholarships: Andrew Brown, Gautrelet Award of $76,000; Alix Paige Duplechin, Gautrelet Award of $76,000; and Alexander Hunt, Portier Leader Award of $100,000.
The State of Louisiana awards Full Tuition Scholarships to those students who have attended qualified schools for at least two years prior to graduation. The following students are anticipated to receive TOPS Scholarships based on the data the school currently has. The State of Louisiana still must verify student grades and issue final TOPS GPAs.
Students who have earned a 2.5 TOPS grade point average in the TOPS Core Curriculum and scored at least 20 on the ACT are awarded the TOPS Opportunity scholarship, which includes tuition. The following students are anticipated to receive this award: Heather Bieber, Payton Crowell, Morghan Fontenot, Zachary LaFleur, Jami LeBouef, Richlyn Ortego, Samantha Parks, and Jacob Thibodeaux
Students who have earned a 3.0 TOPS grade point average in the TOPS Core Curriculum and scored at least 23 on the ACT are awarded the TOPS Performance scholarship. This includes full tuition, certain fees, and $400 a year. The following students are anticipated to receive this award: Andrew Brown, Pierre DeRouen, Alix Paige Duplechin, Victoria Heinen, Alexander Hunt, Luke Matt, and Magdalen Richard
Students who have earned a 3.0 TOPS grade point average in the TOPS Core Curriculum and scored at least 27 on the ACT are awarded the TOPS Honors scholarship which includes full tuition, certain fees, and $800 a year. The following student is anticipated to receive this award: Thaddeus Richard
The Total anticipated Tops Award amount is $303, 824.
The Beverly Wyble Memorial Award, is given to a female student who has the highest academic average and who participated in two sports and the Stanislaus Wyble Memorial Award, which goes to a male student with the highest academic average and who has participated in two sports.
This year, the Beverly Wyble Award goes to Victoria Heinen, and the Stanislaus Wyble Award goes to Thaddeus Richard.
The Shelby John Manuel Memorial Scholarship of $100 is awarded to a deserving senior chosen by St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. This years’ recipient is Richlyn Ortego.
The American Legion Awards went to Thaddeus Richard and Margaret Miller for their exhibiting character, courage, scholarship, leadership, and service.
The Service Scholarship Awards, in the amount of $200 each, are given to young people who have served the St. Anthony Church community faithfully as altar servers from the fifth-grade through their senior year. The ward recipients were: Jami LeBouef, Thaddeus Richard, Jacob Thibodeaux, and Tyler Thibodeaux
The Total TOPS and Scholarship value: $992,706
The Distinguished Service Award is the most significant award a St. Edmund High School senior can receive.
Principal Sister Joel Miller added, “It is, in fact, the highest honor given by St. Edmund High School. The student is selected by the principal for having rendered four years of generous and humble assistance to St. Edmund High School. The 2015 Distinguished Service Award recipient this year is Thaddeus Richard .