Rosamae Neil Smith
April 14, 2008
Charles "Charlie" Herbert Rice Jr.
April 16, 2008
During a banquet today at the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge, Houma Junior High School’s top student could be named the state’s Middle School Student of the Year.
Abigail Brown Becnel, 14, is among five other eighth graders vying for the statewide title. She is the daughter of Houma’s Dr. Tom Becnel and Assistant Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Dixie Brown.
“Abby is an outstanding student that has a maturity level beyond her years, but she can still relate to her fellow students,” said teacher Terez LeBlanc, who teaches leadership at Houma Junior High and served on the school’s selection committee. The final decision was based on Abigail’s character, academic achievements and community involvement.
It comes as no surprise to Abigail’s grade school teachers that she’s in the running for the state’s Middle School Student of the Year title. In fact, it’s a bit of déjà vu. She was Mulberry Elementary School’s Student of the Year in 2005.
Abigail, then age 11, went all the way to the regional competition, but was not selected to compete at the state level.
“The first time was a learning experience for me,” she said. “I just want to keep moving forward and be a good student in school.”
Abigail credits her success to her parents and Houma Junior High teachers.
“Some people look down on public schools, but the faculty and staff have prepared me well, and I work hard to be a good role model for the other students,” she said. “We have some of the best teachers in the parish and I feel that I am getting a top-notch education.”
The eighth grader said her prior experience as a regional Student of the Year finalist also helped her this year through the arduous interview and essay process.
“The interview process wasn’t scary for me because I love public speaking,” Abigail said. “I think I did well on my interview and my essay.”
In the recent regional essay competition, Agibail was asked to pick Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. She picked none other than 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Hiliary Rodham Clinton.
“I chose her because she was a strong woman and a leader. She has done so much for the American people. She is a strong force to be reckoned with and she will make a great impact on our nation as president,” Abigail said. “Sen. Clinton inspires me to be a leader.”
Her essay choice came as no surprise to Houma Junior High guidance counselor Stephanie Ferguson, who said like Clinton, Abigail is a leader at the school.
“Abby has been a driving force in this school from the moment she walked through the doors,” Ferguson said. “All the students like her and they looked up to her as a leader in the school even before the Student of the Year recognition.”
The teen serves on the school’s Student Council and is secretary of the Beta Club. She’s also a member of Cross Trainers, a Christian club, the dance team and symphonic band.
“I consider myself to be a leader at school because a lot of the students feel like they have nothing to offer sometimes, but I want them to know that we can all do good and make good grades if we try,” she said.
Houma Junior High eighth grader Abigail Becnel will learn today in Baton Rouge if she is the next Louisiana Middle School Student of the Year. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
