Lafourche eighth grader among Student of the Year finalists

A Lafourche Parish middle school student will be among 18 other students from around Louisiana area vying for the 2007 Student of the Year.

East Thibodaux Middle School eighth grader Michael John Labat will compete against six other state finalists to in hopes of becoming the top middle school student.

Back in February, Labat was among six other students from the Terrebonne-Lafourche area who traveled to the regional competition in Baton Rouge for a little mingling and some creative writing.

At the competition, the students had to complete a creative writing assignment. They were also subjected to a one-hour interview about their personal student portfolios, which includes their academic and extracurricular activities.

Before the initial competition, the students were pretty excited about meeting new friends from across the state.

Labat, 13, summed up his excitement level about being the middle school Student of the Year in one word: “elated.” Labat is the East Thibodaux’s Student Government Association president. He said helping his classmates and encouraging them to stay in school is dear to him.

Outside of school, Labat is active in church. The straight-A student is also a center fielder with the Dixie League and Swampland baseball. He also enjoys swimming and riding his bike.

The middle school honor student wants to attend Baylor University, where he will study radiology.

Other Tri-parish top students at the regional level are: Carolyn Nguyen, Terrebonne High School; Dylan Cortez, Thibodaux High School; Lindsay White, Lache Montegut Middle School; Kierra Williams-Buckley, Raceland Upper Elementary; and Brandon Thibodaux, Oakshire Elementary.

According to school officials, the Student of the Year Award program, patterned after the Teacher of the Year Award’s program, is an excellent opportunity to recognize from each school system the students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement leadership ability and citizenship. Each finalist is chosen based on criteria, which include superior academic achievement, leadership, character and service to their schools and communities, according to regional selection committee officials.

A ceremony will be held at the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge to announce the overall winners of the state Student of the Year competition on April 18.