by Sherri Taylor, Editor

On Monday night, February 27, Winn Parish schools honored the best of the best of the many students attending schools here. Three were chosen to represent Winn Parish in the regional contests. Those taking the top awards were: Matthew Todd Martin, a senior from Calvin High School; Michael Chesney for eighth grade from Winnfield Middle School and Kaylen Williams from fifth grade from Dodson High School. These will move up in the competition attending regional on March 1 in Natchitoches.

Winn Parish Superintendent of Schools Steve Bartlett spoke to the students before naming the winners.

“It is absolutely essential that parents and grandparents pitch in a help students for them to succeed,” he said. “It takes everyone working together from just a pat on the back to helping with homework to get the job done.”

He told students gathered that the goal of Winn Parish schools was to help the students to be all they could be.

“We want to help them rise as high as they can,” Bartlett said.

Cream of the crop is what he called the chosen students.

“I wish every one of you could win,” he said. “You are all special. You are all very smart.

Each principal introduced the winners from their school. Amy Seward from Atlanta High School introduced Alyssa Coolman, daughter of Tina Coolman 5th grade; Kaity Horne, daughter of Clay and Susan Horne, from the 8th grade; and Nic Lang, parents Mark and Tanya Lang, from the 12th grade.

Principal Rodney Shelton of Calvin High School introduced winners from his school. They were: from 5th grade Hunter Simons, parent Misty Simons; from 8th grade Stoney McLarty, parents Bobby and Jamie McLarty; and from 12th grade Matthew Todd Martin, parents Tammy and Todd Martin.

Dodson principal Mike Hearne introduced 5th grade student Kaylen Williams, parents Donna and Bobby Williams; 8th grade student Taylor Burnett, parents Melanie Burnett and Randy Burnett, and 12th grade student Chasity Roesler.

Principal Steve Adams from Winnfield Intermediate School introduced 5th grade student Edward Teal, parents Sandi and Todd Teal.

Kaye Pyles principal from Winnfield Middle School introduced 8th grade student Micah Chesney, parents Darrell and Dana Grant.

Winnfield Senior High principal Jane Griffin introduced Megan Crenshaw, parents Curtis and Laurinda Crenshaw.

The award winners went to Natchitoches on Thursday, March 1. There they met with students from their region that includes: Winn, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, De Soto, Claiborne, Grant, Webster, Lincoln, Union, and Jackson.

Students who participate in this competition begin early in the year to prepare. Each must compete in essay writing, have a portfolio of accomplishments and be interviewed by judges.

Nancy Crain of the Central Office of Winn Parish schools added that each must also show personal qualities including leadership, hold high grade point average at their schools as well as scoring high on state tests.

“The must have no behavioral problems,” she said.

Judges are chosen from the parish as well as from other areas. Testing began February 9 with winners announced February 27.

“These same talents and skills must be displayed on the regional level,” Crain said.

If any student from Winn wins regional, that student will then prepare for state level to be held in Baton Rouge in April.