2023-2024 STPPS Students of the Year
Congratulations to the 2023-2024 STPPS Students of the Year!
Elise Federico
Tchefuncte Middle
Elementary Division
Sydney Purvis
Boyet Junior High
Middle/Jr. High Division
Jaelyn Graham
Northshore High
High School Division
The students were selected based on their outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills, character, and service to their schools and communities. They were selected as Students of the Year at the school level before being chosen at the district level by a panel of judges. The students will represent STPPS in the Louisiana Department of Education’s Student of the Year Competition.
Surprise Visits
Superintendent Jabbia surprised the district level winners at their schools.
See a video of the surprises here.
Click here for photos from the surprises.
Meet the Students
Elise Federico, Tchefuncte Middle School (5th Grade)
Elise is an outstanding student who excels academically and serves as a leader in her school and community. She was elected to her school’s Student Government Association and has been an active member of the pep squad, choir and Beignet Buddies. Outside of school, she is a competitive swimmer and has been a talented dancer since the age of three. She gives back to her community through her church involvement and volunteering her time to help others as a Girl Scout. She uses her entrepreneurial skills to operate a successful jewelry business she shares with her sister with proceeds benefiting several charities. She looks forward to her exciting and bright future and hopes to continue helping people.
Sydney Purvis, Boyet Junior High (8th Grade)
Sydney is a stellar student and talented leader who is passionate and driven in all areas of life. She leads her school peers as a student council advisory board member, Future Farmers of America reporter and school ambassador. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, Talented Music and medaled in Track and Field. In addition to maintaining an A average in all of her classes, she is an avid tennis player and talented pianist. She participates in the youth group at her church and makes a difference in her community through missions and community service. She is exploring multiple career options to pursue after college that will allow her to be passionate.
Jaelyn Graham, Northshore High (12th Grade)
Jaelyn is an exemplary well-rounded student who uses her time and talents for the betterment of her school and community. She has maintained a perfect 4.0 (unweighted) GPA while taking rigorous courses including many honors, Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. She is an active member and volunteers through multiple organizations including National Honor Society, Beta Club, Future Farmers of America, Habitat for Humanity and Girl Scouts. She is a leader at her school and in her school district serving on her school’s Leader in Me Committee and Student Council and the St. Tammany Parish Discipline Committee and Superintendent Advisory Panel. She was a founding member of her school’s Black History Month Program Committee. Jaelyn also competes on her school's underwater robotics team and Team 1912 Combustion robotics team. She serves as Team Captain for Team Combustion and was awarded the Dean's List Finalist Award. She plays on her school’s Lady Panther Varsity Basketball team and was named the Student Athlete of the Year her junior year. Her passion for Future Farmers of America and Livestock Exhibition Team have led her to win awards in a wide variety of competitions. Beyond STEM and agriculture education awards, she has received many impressive accolades including being selected to attend Louisiana Girls State where she was elected Governor, the National African American Recognition Award, AP Scholar Award, acceptance in the Yale Young Global Scholars Program, and Girl Scouts Bronze and Silver Awards. She is determined to win the Girl Scouts Gold Award and recently organized and hosted an extensive agriculture camp for 18 students as part of her service project. She aspires to become a lawyer and then enter policymaking. She believes people are mosaics of their experiences and hopes to continue evolving her mosaic to achieve her aspirations.
