With cheering sections full of family, friends and school leaders encouraging them, some of EBR Schools’ very best were celebrated at the 2025–26 Student of the Year ceremony on Nov. 19 at McKinley Middle Academic Magnet.
District Winners
• Elementary: Bryan Gosa, The Dufrocq School
• Middle: Olivia Peng, Glasgow
• High: Lucy Thomas, Baton Rouge Magnet
Charter Winners
• Elementary: Jace Williams, Inspire Charter Academy
• Middle: Avery Harrell. Helix Mentorship & Maritime Academy
Students from every school across the district were honored for their exceptional talent and accomplishments. John Pastorek, of WBRZ, served as master of ceremonies and presenter.
The ceremony also featured a dazzling performance by The Famous Singing Pirates of Park Forest Middle Creative Sciences and Arts Magnet, who delivered the national anthem and Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”
DISTRICT & CHARTER FINALISTS
DISTRICT SCHOOLS
Elementary School
Nelson Awono, BR FLAIM
Gus Barnes, Westdale Heights Academic Magnet
Sendaya Dorsey, Broadmoor
Bryan Gosa, The Dufrocq School
Simone Long, Wildwood
Asser Said, Mayfair Lab
Evan Sylvester, Brownfields
Middle School
Olivia Clark, McKinley
Ava-Joi Lowe, Westdale
Olivia Peng, Glasgow
High School
Cayden Hudson, Woodlawn
Kaylee Martin, Liberty
Lucy Thomas, Baton Rouge Magnet
Jakarin Whitfield, Scotlandville
DISTRICT CHARTERS
Elementary School
Jules Blanchard, South Baton Rouge Charter
Kelsi Ferry, CSAL
Jace Williams, Inspire Charter Academy
Middle School
Avery Harrell, Helix Mentorship & Maritime Academy
Leroy London, Inspire Charter Academy
Eilin Pionot, South Baton Rouge Charter
Congratulations to all of our Students of the Year.
