82 uncertified teachers fill the void in Terrebonne public schools
August 26, 2014OUR VIEW: For change to occur, voters need to turn out
August 26, 2014
There are students who go above and beyond.
And then there’s local pupil Adeline Martin.
Adeline, 14, was named Louisiana Middle School Student of the Year and Terrebonne Parish Middle/Junior High School Student of the year for the 2013-14 campaign, and the Terrebonne Parish School Board recognized her for her work in the classroom at last Tuesday’s meeting.
The now ninth-grade student has started her career at South Terrebonne High School after making her mark at Lacache Middle School.
“I’d like to thank you all for recognizing me,” Adeline said to the board. “It’s a special honor, and I’m still really exited about being able to receive this award. I know there are a lot of great eighth graders in the state of Louisiana, and for me to be chosen is just a huge honor. I’m just really proud to have represented Lacache Middle School and now South Terrebonne High.”
Adeline makes a habit out of overachieving. When most teens are playing video games, watching television or getting ready for bed, her father Russell Martin said it isn’t uncommon for Adeline to be up till 11 p.m. or even midnight working on assignments.
“She’s a self-driven child. It’s not like you have to push her. You have to follow her,” Russell Martin said. “We’re really proud of Adie. She works real hard, and a lot of credit needs to go to Lacache School too, because they put all the stuff out there for her to reach a goal like that. So we give a lot of credit to Lacache School and all the teachers.”
One of those teachers, Lacache Gifted and Talented teacher Eulice Sparks, oversaw Adeline’s academic exploits for four years and said Adeline is the most fantastic student she has ever come across. For one particular assignment, Sparks said that even though Adeline had already achieved double the required goal, her personal goal was to reach a 200. Sitting at a 191, Adeline topped her goal and reached 201 by the end of the day.
“That is how she pushes herself,” Sparks said. “She’s also a very loving, kind child. She’s sensitive to everybody’s needs.”
Adeline’s mother Dr. Cindy Martin said that her daughter does the best she can in everything she does – not just in grades. Adeline also participates in extracurricular activities, community involvement and sports.
“I really have to work toward what I need to do later in life to become successful and to be able to help out the community even when I’m older, so I just focus really hard on my school work and everything trying to do the best that I can,” Adeline said.
As for how she plans on helping out the community, Adeline strives to be an oncologist.
“I know that I can’t just fly by and be able to do that, so I know I have to work hard to make that happen,” Adeline said.
And Adeline isn’t the only child making her family and her school proud with academic excellence. Younger sister Macki is entering eighth grade at Lacache after having matched her sister with a perfect score in iLEAP Math.
“They’re both fantastic little girls and have fantastic parents, and that’s a big thing in education, when they have parental support,” Sparks said.
In addition to honoring Adeline for her accomplishments, the school district honored its top principals, teachers and support employees at last Tuesday’s school board meeting, including Terrebonne High School Principal Julio Contreras who was one of three finalists for Louisiana Principal of the Year.
The school district’s honorees are:
• Elementary School Principal of the Year – Dr. Myra Austin, Acadian Elementary School
• Middle School Principal of the Year – Melanie Wallis, Elysian Fields Middle School
• High School Principal of the Year – Julio Contreras, Terrebonne High School
• Elementary School Teacher of the Year – Megan Doiron, Acadian Elementary School
• Middle School Teacher of the Year – Amy LeCompte, Montegut Middle School
• High School Teacher of the Year – Darlene Hoob, Terrebonne High School
• Elementary School Level Outstanding Support Employee – Patty Dupre, school bus driver, Transportation Department
• Middle School Level Outstanding Support Employee – John Celestin, Houma Junior High School building manager
• High School Level Outstanding Support Employee – Karen Detillier, H.L Bourgeois High School secretary
“We’re proud of all the people that were recognized tonight,” said Terrebonne Parish School District Superintendent Philip Martin. “It’s indicative of the kind of talent we have in Terrebonne Parish. I’m so proud and privileged to know that we have that type of people taking care of our kids.”
Louisiana and Terrebonne Parish Middle School Student of the Year Adeline Martin (center) celebrates her honors with her mother Cindy, father Russell and sister Macki. Terrebonne Parish School District Superintendent Philip Martin presented Adeline with a plaque commemorating her parish-wide recognition at last Tuesday’s school board meeting.
