Catholic school students advance to regional ‘Students of the Year’

Three students who attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans were selected as the local non-public school nominees for the annual Students of the Year in the state of Louisiana.

They are fifth-grader Michael Hymel of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Kenner; eighth-grader Kathleen Rush of Archbishop Hannan High School, Covington; and 12th-grader Yehia Elkersh of St. Paul School, Covington.

To qualify, students had to excel in academics, do well on standardized tests and be active in their school and community.

Hymel, of Kenner, is 11 years old has a 4.3 GPA. He helps the poor and shows interest in saving Louisiana’s wetlands.

Rush, of Covington, loves the sciences, has attended space camp and is interested in space and Mars colonization.

Elkersh, of Covington, has a 4.58 grade-point average, scored a perfect 36 on the ACT, and is involved with Key Club, Student Hosts and mock trial.

The three finalists advance to the regional competition.

The 21 regional-level nominees will be announced March 6-8 and then advance to the “Students of the Year” state finalists.

The top three finalists will be announced on April 5 at the Student of the Year Awards ceremony in Baton Rouge, according to the Department of Education website, www.louisianabelieves.com.