The Jefferson Parish Public School System named its district winners for the Louisiana Department of Education’s 2019 Louisiana Student of the Year.
The winners are:
- Airline Park Academy fifth grader Sriram Srigiri
- Haynes Academy eighth grader Kavia Mallik
- Haynes Academy twelfth grader Cecilia LaFosse
“We are proud of the work these students have done to excel in the classroom and in many other areas of their young lives,” said JPPSS Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “I also know that behind each of these kids are involved adults who’ve been champions for their success. We’re grateful for these talented young people and the family members, educators, and community supporters who have dedicated themselves to excellence.”
These three students are now eligible to become 2019 Louisiana Student of the Year. The Louisiana Department of Education, in conjunction with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, annually honors one incredible fifth, eighth, and twelfth grade student based on their leadership, academic performance, achievements, citizenship, and service to the school and community.
Students are selected by their school and submitted to the local education agency. Nominees are then forwarded to a Regional Selection Committee. The resulting eighteen finalists then compete at the state level. The winner of the three grade levels are announced on the evening of the final day of competition.
Airline Park Academy fifth grade student Sriram Srigiri is the JP Schools Elementary School Student of the Year. Srigiri has made straight A’s since kindergarten and has received the Superintendent’s Award every semester since 1st grade. Srigiri has wanted to be a scientist ever since he learned about cancer as a third grader during his school’s donation drive for children at St. Jude.
“When I grow up, I would like to become a scientist and invent medicine to cure cancer,” said Srigiri. “I do realize that searching for a new path might seem like hoping for a miracle. I strongly believe that we human beings are distinguished from other species by our ability to work towards miracles.”
Haynes Academy eighth grade student Kavia Mallik is the JP Schools Middle School Student of the Year. Along with her academic gifts, Mallik has also found success in the arts. She’s played the violin since she was three, the cello since she was six, and also plays the piano, double upright bass, and oboe. It was her involvement with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra that led to “probably the most rewarding experience” of her young music career. Mallik was part of a five city concert tour that ended with a performance at Carnegie Hall.
“I learned so much on this trip,” said Mallik, “lifelong lessons that I will cherish forever, the importance of teamwork and perseverance, appreciation for my own life and family, and the impact I can have on a community through music.”
Haynes Academy twelfth grade student Cecilia LaFosse is the JP Schools High School Student of the Year. LaFosse is a National Merit Semifinalist, president of her school’s National Honor Society, and has organized service competitions through Mission Ignition. She said that living close to her grandparents all her life developed a strong family bond that’s served her well. LaFosse feels that more than anyone else, her “Paw-Paw” made her the student she is today.
“From a very young age my grandfather noticed my love of learning, and being a lifelong student himself, did everything in his power to encourage my quest for knowledge,” said LaFosse. “From expanding on his already extensive home library for me, to trips to our local public library, to taking the time to teach me important lessons from his lifetime, my grandfather gave me the tools necessary to succeed in school and to make the most of my education.”