Bossier Schools Name Students of the Year

Three Bossier Parish students received personal visits Tuesday in class from Bossier Schools Superintendent D.C. Machen, Jr. He was personally delivering the good news they were chosen as Bossier Schools’ Students of the Year for the parish.

 His first stop was Airline High School to congratulate Senior Taylor Veillon for being named the parish’s High School Student of the Year.

“I think of it more as me representing Airline High School than myself individually,” Veillon said.  She is, no doubt, a real cheerleader for Airline and Bossier Schools. And when Veillon advances to the regional competition, it won’t be her first time. She was once the parish’s Elementary Student of the Year.

Machen’s next stop was W.T. Lewis to deliver the news to the Elementary School Student of the Year. The amazement on fifth grader Shannon Mather’s face spoke volumes about how excited she was.

“This is such a great opportunity and it shows if you work really hard and set goals, you can achieve them,” Mathers said.  She admits waking up nervous, wondering if Mr. Machen would pay her a visit. Not only did he show, but her parents were waiting in the wings, her mom’s eyes brimming with tears of pride.

The last visit Machen made was to Cope Middle School, to surprise eighth grader Leah Huber. She, like Veillon, had also previously been Elementary Student of the Year.

“I’m very grateful and honored I was selected,” Huber said.

Being born a self-described “military brat,” Huber moved around a lot before her father retired from the Air Force a couple of years ago and decided to stay in Bossier. She credits the mobile lifestyle for teaching her valuable lessons about coping with change, respecting different cultures and the importance of being active in the community and giving back.

In honor of being named Bossier Parish Schools’ Students of the Year, each winner will receive an iPad4, courtesy of Citizens National Bank.

The three parish winners will also advance to the regional competition March 5, which is being hosted by Bossier Parish Schools, and compete among parish winners from 12 other school districts. The next stop is state.

Congratulations kids and Thank You for being incredible representatives for all of Kiss Country!