Following the Footsteps

Of Our Future Leaders

By Pat Friedrich

 

Editor’s Note:   This is the first in a series of articles we plan to run on outstanding students in the Zachary School System as identified by school administrators and teachers.  

 

Julia Coreil

At Copper Mill Elementary School students and staff follow a code of conduct promising to give their best, operate with honesty, honor others, and act responsibly.

 

For busy fifth grader Julia Coreil this is how she lives her life both inside and outside of school.   Julia finds time to do it all.   As the newly elected Beta Club President, Julia is already a leader in promoting high academic achievement and service to others.    Julia enjoys earning her service hours by volunteering at her church, St. John the Baptist.   In addition, on Sundays, she sings in the church choir.  

 

An avid reader Julia is also trusted to serve as a school library worker.   “I love to read,” exclaims Julia.  “Right now I am hooked on the Twilight series.”

 

Ms. Bellue, Copper Mill’s Librarian feels fortunate to have Julia as her helper. “Julia is a wonderful person.   Her positive attitude and exemplary character shine in everything she does.”  

 

Student of the Year

Perhaps that is why Julia was selected as the Student of the Year. It was a long process, with many other great candidates.  To be considered, students had to be in the fifth grade, write an autobiography and undergo two interviews.

 

“I am still in shock that I was the one selected,” says a very humble Julia “I just always try to be determined, diligent, and dedicated.”   That positive attitude seems to be working.

 

Having the elementary schools designed by grade level makes the move to middle school much less scary.   “All of the fifth graders are here at Copper Mill.   We already know each other and will move as one group.”

 

Her advice to students who will remain at Copper Mill is simple.   “Maintain your grades. Respect your teachers. And never get in trouble.”

 

Tenae Durham

“When I see children who don’t have a home, it makes me want to cry,” says enthusiastic and thoughtful fourth grader Tenae Durham.   She wants to be a lawyer fighting for the rights of children.

 

Tenae seems to have a passion about everything she does. She loves volunteering to help teachers after she finishes her work in extended day. She is also a member of the 4-H Club.  

 

“Being in 4-H is all about learning more about our state and about making things safer for everyone.”   Like the fire safety lesson that Tenae practiced with her fellow 4-H members when they learned to, “Stop, drop, and roll,” recounts Tenae.

 

Tenae moved from Texas with her family just over a year ago.   While she misses her old home town, she has eagerly embraced the opportunities here at Copper Mill.  

 

“I love being able to learn.   I love to read books. I love to write,” said Tenae.

 

Young Writers

The young journalist was a finalist in the Young Writers Contest with her poem entitled, “A Christmas Morning.” Although she didn’t win, the always optimistic Tenae is planning to submit another entry next year.

 

Ms. Walters, her math/science/social studies teacher sees good things in the future for Tenae. “Tanae is a fabulous student. She is always prepared, strives to be on the honor roll and is well rounded.”

 

Tenae also sees good things in her own fifth grade future.   She plans to join Beta Club and apply for Student of the Year.   She also plans on working to improve recycling at Copper Mill.  

 

“We have recycling bins in the classrooms.   We just need to remember to do a little better job of using them,” she said.  

 

Listen! Can you hear the sound of footsteps?   They are small now, but getting stronger.   Yes, these are the footsteps of the future generations of Zachary’s proud leaders.

 

Hilary Baird

She came to Zachary last year from Virginia.   Her name is Hilary Baird and she is not one to just sit around and wait to be invited to join.   She quickly made her mark on both Zachary High School and the surrounding community.

 

“I love being involved and would get bored if I wasn’t doing something,” says this honor student.  For Hilary, being involved, means being very active.   “I like to seize opportunities,” says Hilary.

 

“Hilary is one of those rare student/athletes,” boasts her soccer Coach Paul Owen.

“She is able to combine outstanding academic achievement with equal achievement on the field of sport.  She is a 4.0 GPA student.”

 

On the soccer field, Hilary plays with passion and a relentless determination.  She was recognized as a 1^st Team All District player as well as District Defensive MVP. 

 

“But it is her spirit and joy for life that has most impacted her team and has made her such a pleasure to coach,” said Coach Owen

 

Soccer, Tennis, Cross Country

In addition to soccer, Hilary is a force on the tennis court and in cross country.   She also participates in drama club; is a member of the National Honor Society; and is the regional representative of the French Club.  

 

Even with her busy schedule, Hilary makes sure that she has time to give to others.   “We meet a lot of nice people volunteering in nursing homes and homeless shelters,” says Hillary.  She is describing just two of the projects she helped plan and coordinate as pr esident of the young women’s group in her church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   And, as a member of Beta Club, Hilary did some construction work on a local Habitat for Humanity house.

 

Hillary will graduate in May and plans to attend Brigham Young University where she is sure to successfully take on many new challenges.

 

Chris Antoine

He was a small child when Chris Antoine moved from Vicksburg to Zachary.   He has made an impact ever since. “I played t-ball when I was little.   But once I found soccer, I never looked back,” says Chris.

 

Chris played soccer for Zachary High School all four of his years there. This year, the team placed a respectable third in the district after moving up to Division 5-A.  

 

This senior doesn’t just move on the soccer field.   In addition, he is a member of the marching band; playing French horn.   Music must run through his veins.   Chris plays French horn in concert band and guitar in both the Praise Band at his church, Zachary United Methodist, and the Zachary Community Church.  

He also put his love of music to good work when completing the highest rank of Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle, the scout must earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate the scout spirit through an extensive service project that he plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Chris chose to build a wall in his church that now stores the musical equipment.  

“I was happy to do it,” he says with a nonchalant shrug.

Chris was also happy to volunteer on his church youth group mission trips to Georgia and New Mexico.   Their work was diverse; everything from rebuilding houses, to working in daycares, to fixing up churches that were in need of serious repair.

 

As Senior Executive Officer of the Beta Club, Chris is also happy to be in charge of the LSU Concession Stand during football season.   It is a big responsibility. And they couldn’t have picked anyone more willing, or better equipped to handle the job.

As Chris makes his final selection of which university he will attend, it is clear, that wherever he goes, his influence will definitely be felt.

 

Brandi Ackoury

Born and raised in Zachary, Brandi Ackoury is now a junior in high school.   She is making a name for herself across America.   A gifted musician, she began like so many other students.   She learned to play clarinet once a week in a fifth grade band class.   Now her musical career takes her farther than most.   In addition to clarinet, Brandi also plays piano and she is learning guitar.

 

It is her clarinet that has brought the most recognition. Her musical acclaims include participation in the 2007 Disney Magic Music Days Performance and the 2008 and 2009 Instrumentalist Magazine Musician Award.   Just this past February Brandi participated in the All-South Honor Band at the University of Southern Mississippi.  

 

And if that weren’t exciting enough, Brandi has just learned that she has been selected as one of the finalist who will perform in the American High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in June. The Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall was established to showcase some of the most talented student performers in high school.

 

Electricity and Me

Music seems to strike a cord in everything that Brandi does.   She was recently selected as one of twelve finalists in the DEMCO Essay Contest.   The topic is “Electricity and Me.” It is no surprise that Brandi tied her love of music to electricity.

 

Even with her busy schedule, Brandi still finds time to give back.   A special place in her heart is the St. Jude’s Dream Day in Clinton.  

 

“We probably have over a hundred kids particiapte,” says Brandi.   “Right now, I am interested in pancreatic cancer awareness, Safe Haven Family Shelter and St. Jude's,” she says.  

 

In fact, Brandi has taken on a project of her own.   She is getting a guitar autographed by country music singers.   Eventually, she plans to auction it off to raise money for St. Jude.

 

Some see the glass as half empty.  Some see it as half full.  These future leaders in Zachary see the glass and ask, ‘Are you thirsty?’

Margot Moore

It takes a brave person to jump into unknown territory with full force.   Zachary High’s Student of the Year, Margot Moore, is finishing up her senior year and is preparing to move on to college at LSU.

 

Not many students approach their freshman year of college with the kind of drive and confidence that Margot has.   “I think I’m ready.   Biology is my favorite subject and that’s what I am going to major in at LSU.   Then I want to go to LSU medical school after graduation,” said Margot.

 

“My mom is a teacher and my dad is a lawyer so I’ve learned about different fields, but the medical field is the one for me.   I really just love helping people,” said Margot.  

Along with actively preparing for her future, Margot is keeping busy in her senior year.  She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a Senior Executive Officer of the Beta Club.

 

Bronco Bells

Margot has been on the Bronco Bells dance tea m for the past four years, but this year she served as co-captain.   In February, she helped lead the Bronco Bells to their first National Dance Competition in Disney World.   “We only made it to the semi-finals, but I think we did great.   It was the first time the Zachary High dance team had ever participated in something like that, and we are hoping that since we now know what it’s like, we can do better next year and eventually turn into a national award-winning team.”

 

Now that dance team is over for the season, Margot will have much more time to dedicate to helping others by means of community service.   “I volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul whenever I have some free time.   Also, I’ve done quite a bit of volunteer work at the hospital.   I am working on filling pots with candy flowers to give as a gift to the patients for Easter.”

 

Only a few months left for Zachary Highs seniors, and then it’s off to spread their wings and share the lessons they have learned here in Zachary with the world.