Student of the Year Winners Announced for Natchitoches Parish School District

After turning in portfolios detailing their academic success and dedication to community/school engagement, and going through an interview process, three finalists were chosen for the 2024-25 Student of the Year competition on Nov. 21. The winners were: Emerson Remedies for 5th Grade (Marthaville), Anna Rawls for 8th Grade (Marthaville), and Ayla Bostian for 12th Grade (Natchitoches Central).

A committee of community members interviewed each student. The committee included Katrice Below, Carmella McCart, Sarah Mallette, Reba Phelps, Linda Page, Dewayne Chelette and Corey Poole. Student of the Year is organized by Anita Dubois.

Emersyn is the daughter of Toby and Hillary Remedies. She loves dance, musical theatre, singing, arts and crafts, pageants, reading, cooking, and writing stories. Her future plans include attending Northwestern State University and becoming a Demon Dazzler, while majoring in theatre and dance, or maybe music. “Fork ’em Demons,” Emersyn stated in her biographical entry for Student of the Year. She also plans to compete at and win NSU’s Lady of the Bracelet pageant, going on to compete for Miss Louisiana. Future plans include starring on broadway.

Anna is the daughter of Joshua and Michelle Rawls. She is passionate about cheerleading, her faith, her friendships, and raising and showing her goats thanks to her connection to Natchitoches Parish 4-H. She makes chemo kits and donates them to the local cancer center, wanting to help patients feel a little more comfortable as they go through their treatments. Anna plans to attend Northwestern State University to study nursing, with a focus on pediatrics.

Ayla is the daughter of Megan and Kevin Bostian. She loves to art and books and runs two Instagram accounts on the subjects. Community service is one of her greater passions. She serves as the Community Service/Outreach Chairwoman for her school’s Student/Chief Council. Ayla plans to double major in Art/Design and Anthropology in college with a concentration in archaeology. Her future plans include working as an archaeologist and anthropologist, but also a freelance author, artist and voice-actor. Then down the line, she’s also like to do some work on character design and maybe even become a barbie doll designer. She also plans to travel and continue her community service efforts, like one day funding a “Harbor House.”

Finalists from all schools included:

Fifth Grade:

Grace Llorance – East Natchitoches

Owen Penrod – E-Lab

Christopher Norwood – Magnet

Avery Broadway – Provencal

Danlie O’wecki – Fairview

Lani Todd – Goldonna

Eighth Grade:

Zalien Paul – Goldonna

Joshua Simmons – Provencal

Addison McGrath – NSU Middle Lab