EPSB Honors Top Students Across Grades

Annual awards recognize academic excellence and community involvement

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Evangeline Parish School Board (EPSB) recently held its annual student of the year awards ceremony, honoring top-performing students from elementary, middle, and high school grades across the district.

Why it matters

The student of the year awards highlight the academic achievements and community engagement of standout students, helping to inspire others and showcase the quality of education in Evangeline Parish schools.

The details

The 2026 student of the year honorees included Jaiden Thomas, a 5th grader at James Stephens Montessori, Ethan Zang, an 8th grader at Evangeline Reimagine Academy, and Charlee Smith, a 12th grader at Basile High School. The students were recognized for their exemplary academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and contributions to their school communities.

  • The EPSB student of the year awards ceremony took place on February 16, 2026.

The players

Darwan Lazard

Superintendent of the Evangeline Parish School Board.

Jaiden Thomas

5th grade student of the year from James Stephens Montessori.

Ethan Zang

8th grade student of the year from Evangeline Reimagine Academy.

Charlee Smith

12th grade student of the year from Basile High School.

Cheri Fontenot

Supervisor at the Evangeline Parish School Board.

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What they’re saying

“The student of the year awards highlight the academic achievements and community engagement of standout students, helping to inspire others and showcase the quality of education in Evangeline Parish schools.”

— Darwan Lazard, Superintendent (evangelinetoday.com)

The takeaway

The EPSB student of the year awards demonstrate the district's commitment to recognizing and celebrating academic excellence, community involvement, and the overall success of its students across all grade levels.