Naquin 8th Lafourche student named to BESE since 1997

South Lafourche High School junior Alex Naquin will be the eighth student from the parish to be selected by the Louisiana Association of Student Councils to serve on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“I am very humbled and appreciate the ability to do this, and that the board chose me,” Naquin said. “People look up to me, and I do my best to be a leader and serve. It has paid off and formed me into the young man that I am.”

Naquin will serve on the board during his senior year of high school and will be on the board’s Academic and Instruction Improvement Committee. Only one student representative serves on the board. Naquin was selected from six finalists who were interviewed by BESE. As a member, Naquin will attend school board meetings in Lafourche Parish.

Naquin will not be able to vote on board issues but said he looks forward to being a voice for the state’s 730,000 public school students.

“I want to learn more about the way students are ranked and how their performances are evaluated. We should also be fair on how teachers are graded,” the SLHS junior said. “I am interested in seeing firsthand what the board does and not just what I see in the media. I want to get a better perspective on BESE’s agenda and form an unbiased opinion.”

Naquin, son of Patrick and Jeanie Naquin of Larose, said he is looking forward to bettering education.

“I haven’t been briefed on my committee duties, but I will have open ears and give unbiased feedback from the state’s students,” Naquin said. “I will sit in and serve as an extra resource and give the opinion of students in the school system.”

The 17-year-old’s journey to the BESE board began in August 2011.

“Serving on the BESE board and serving on the [South Lafourche High] student council will be the best of both worlds,” he said.

Naquin filled out his BESE application, turned in his resume and got in touch with board representatives. He also wrote a required one-page essay on the future of education, submitted two letters of recommendation and sought the advice of others.

“I spoke to prior student board members, and they told me to be myself,” Naquin said. “They encouraged me to meet students, hear what they have to say and to be open.”

Naquin also was also coached by Lafourche Parish School Board’s Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor Frank Pasqua, who mentored past eight Lafourche students named to BESE.

“I spent lots of late nights with Mr. Frank, going over BESE board information,” Naquin said. “I have had lots of great teachers at school and lots of guidance from Lafourche Parish School Board members.”

“Alex is a wonderful student and very brilliant, and I am so proud,” Pasqua said.

Naquin’s appointment has far reaching implications. “A lot of kids excel in school and nobody ever really hears about it,” Pasqua said. “This is a feather in the cap of public education. It’s a breath of fresh air. This experience will allow Alex to showcase his leadership skills and to show the kind of students that Lafourche Parish puts out.”

Naquin said he is indebted to his high school classes and extra curricular activities like Future Farmers of America and the National Honor Society for teaching him the skills he will need while serving the board.

“My agriculture classes were great for tips on becoming successful. The classes didn’t just teach you about being a farmer, but how to be an active member of your community,” he said. “They also taught us about public speaking and how to build a resume. I love being a student, especially in the environment our school provides. I am also blessed with great classmates.”

After graduation in May 2013, Naquin plans to attend Louisiana State University and major in pre-med before applying to Parker University in Dallas, where he hopes to study chiropractic medicine.

“My three big goals for the future are to continue to work with BESE board and serve our students, maybe become a politician after getting established as a chiropractor and helping with restoring the coastline through Sassafras of Louisiana,” Naquin, an avid outdoorsman, said.

Louis Voiron, left, supervisor of personnel with Lafourche Parish School Board, and Julie Breaux, right, vice president of LPSB, stand with Alex Naquin, South Lafourche High School junior, after he was named to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Naquin will serve on the Academic and Instruction Improvement Committee.

Lafourche Parish student to serve on BESE board

COURTESY PHOTO