Summer vacation is fast approaching, and for the Zachary Community School Board, that means it’s time to hand out awards to students and teachers who have made outstanding accomplishments this school year.
The board spent much of its April 1 meeting honoring some of the district’s best and brightest. It also officially welcomed its newest member, Tracey Taylor-Jarrell, who was sworn in to represent District 1 on an interim basis.
Taylor-Jarrell is taking the seat held for many years by Gaynell Young, who died last month. An election to select a permanent replacement will take place in the fall.
First up on the list of recognitions for the night were Zachary’s students of the year. They include Olivia Critchley, Zachary Early Learning Center; Ray Anthony Williams, Northwestern Elementary; Tyson Heard, Zachary Elementary; Meryl David, Copper Mill Elementary; Sara Fannin, Northwestern Middle School; and Lilly Richard, Zachary High. Each of the students received a trophy and a cookie cake.
Also honored were students who participated in the All State Honor Band and Donny Alexander, who was named an Outstanding Jazz Educator by the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education.
Zachary High Junior ROTC’s unarmed and armed drill teams were recognized for winning state championships.
And Amara Nwabueze, a Zachary High junior, was recognized for winning a DEMCO essay contest. She’ll be able to participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Annual Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., this summer.