Liles named state finalist in Student of the Year program
Addison Liles has been named a state finalist in the Student of the Year program sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education.
Liles, a fifth grade student at Pine Wood Elementary and the 2021 Beauregard Parish Elementary Student of the Year, represented the parish in the Region III program in March, where she was selected from among students representing twelve parishes to advance to the state program.
“The State Department of Education hosts this program annually to recognize outstanding students in schools across the state,” explained Kari Ifland, Student of the Year coordinator. “Students are selected from fifth, eighth, and twelfth grades and must have maintained at 3.5 GPA or higher over the course of four consecutive school years, be active in school and community activities, and be involved in leadership positions for their school and community.” 
In addition, students must participate in a timed writing assignment and a 15-minute interview at each level of the program as well as compile a 50-page portfolio to document their activities and involvement, she said.
Each school with these grade levels selects a student to represent that school as the Student of the Year. Those students then participate in the parish-level program held in January. Parish level winners represent Beauregard at the Regional programs held in February.
Liles has earned a 4.0 GPA across her school years and has been active in school activities, including the Carver Elementary and Pine Wood Elementary choirs, the Carver Elementary STEM Club, and the Pine Wood Elementary Science Explorers and 4-H Club.
“I actually love the opportunity to learn new things,” said Liles, “like how to divide a decimal or learn how to prevent iron from rusting. Science is my favorite because I am very curious about animal food webs, astronomy, and most of all, chemistry!”
Liles wants to become a neurosurgeon and own horses one day. She takes riding lessons at the Southern Riding Therapy Ranch and was given the opportunity to be an assistant helping new riders learn the basics. She is also involved in dancing and is a Dance Stop Southern Sweetie.
Liles represented Region III in March in the Louisiana Student of the Year program, interviewing with a panel of judges from across the state. She was one of only six elementary students in Louisiana to advance as a state finalist. She will participate in a virtual Student of the Year ceremony in late April to be recognized as the Region III winner and for the announcement of the state winners.
“Addison epitomizes the highest ideals of the Student of the Year program, and we are proud that she is representing Pine Wood Elementary, Beauregard Parish, and Region III as a state finalist for Elementary Student of the Year,” concluded Ifland.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
