3 Bossier Parish Youth Just Named Students of the Year
Three separate Bossier Parish students were all called to the principal's office yesterday.
Normally, this would be a daunting occasion, but not for these youngsters. They were in for a surprise visit from Bossier Schools Superintendent Mitch Downey and a number of other educators who made those stops to specifically relay the incredible news that they had just been named Bossier Parish's Students of the Year for 2021-22.
This designation is the highest honor bestowed on students at the parish level, but these three were in for even better news. Receiving the District Level Student of the Year honors would also advance each of them to the regional competition.
Jayden Toussaint - Bossier Parish High School Student of the Year
A senior at Bossier High School, Jayden Toussaint is already well on his way to pursuing his dream of becoming a software engineer when he enters college in the fall, having taken courses at Bossier Parish School for Technology and Innovative Learning (BPSTIL) and earning 30 college credit hours through dual enrollment at Bossier Parish Community College. Named the BPSTIL Computer Programming Top Performer, Toussaint was also elected district attorney at Louisiana Boys’ State. The Bossier Bearkat serves his community as well, volunteering for The Salvation Army and at neighborhood elementary schools.
Ella Sims - Bossier Parish Middle School Student of the Year
An eighth grader at Benton Middle School, Ella Sims has many interests including music, soccer, reading and writing, which Sims hopes to utilize one day as either an English teacher or attorney. Her latest accomplishment was being named First Chair Flute Player in the BMS Band. Away from school, the Benton Tiger enjoys playing soccer and participating in youth group activities.
Christian Willis - Bossier Parish Elementary Student of the Year
A proud Haughton Elementary Buccaneer, where she is in fifth grade, Willis has a passion for reading and animals, which will serve her well in the future when she plans to become a veterinarian. Willis is an involved leader at her school, where she serves as Treasurer of the Haughton Elementary 4-H Club, competes on the Destination Imagination team in engineering and is a member on the archery team. She also enjoys playing the piano.
According to Superintendent, Mitch Downey, "Each year our district Students of the Year amaze me by their drive and leadership and these three certainly fill that bill.” He adds, “We are incredibly proud of these students and confident they will represent us well as they move on to the next level of the state competition.”