CASSIDY PAIGE HEBERT NAMED LAKE ARTHUR JR. HIGH SCHOOL "STUDENT OF THE YEAR"

CASSIDY PAIGE HEBERT

By Mike Rizzuto
Sun Times Editor

One might think that winning the same award for the second time might tend to lose some of its luster.

But for Cassidy Paige Hebert, the 13-year-old daughter of Adrienne Abshire Hanks and Brian Joseph Hebert, nothing could be further from the truth.

Cassidy has once again been crowned “Student of the Year” for her outstanding academic achievements, this time for Lake Arthur Jr. High School. Three short years ago, she earned “Student of the Year” at Lake Arthur Elementary School for attaining similar academic awards.

Hebert has earned a plethora of awards during her 13 short years on this earth. A closer look at her impressive dossier includes the following awards, achievements, and activities:

--Team Captain, 2009-2010, Lake Arthur Jr. High Cheerleader Team;

--G.A.T.E.S. Program, 2004-2008, Tested high enough to enter program;

--L.A.E.S. Flag Corps, 2007-2008, Participant;

--L.A.H.S. Cheer Camp, 2007, Participant;

--D.A.R.E., 2008, Graduate;

--Wrote Children’s Stories, 2008, Chosen to read to second graders;

--L.A.H.S. Cheer Camp, 2008, Best All Around Cheerleader;

--Jr. BETA, 2008-2010, Invited Member;

--Vacation Bible School, 2009, Volunteer;

--L.A.H.S. Cheer Camp, 2009, Made Team, Awarded Best Jumper;

--Guzzy’s Gymnastics, 2009, Bettered Tumbling Ability;

--OLOL Catholic Church Bazaar, 2009, Volunteer;

--L.A.H.S. Cheer Clinic, 2008, Best All Around;

--Thoroughbred Award, 2008, LAE I LEAP Scores;

--Highest Reading Average, three-time winner, 2008, Reading Class;

--Cans for College Scholarship, 2008, Lake Arthur Elementary Awards Day Program;

--Top 10 Highest GPA, 2008, Lake Arthur Elementary School Awards Program;

--Top Noodler (only subject to receive award in all subjects), 2008, Hard Work/Home Work Project;

--Awesome Author, 2008, Lake Arthur Elementary School Awards Program;

--Honor Roll All Year Long, 2008, Lake Arthur Elementary Awards Program;

--Highest Social Studies Average, 2008, Lake Arthur Elementary School Awards Program;

--Citizenship Award, 2008, Lake Arthur Elementary Awards Program;

--Nomination, 2008, People to People World Leadership Forum;

--Best Jumper, 2009, Lake Arthur High School Cheer Clinic;

--Language Award, 2009, Lake Arthur High School Awards Day;

--Straight A’s All Year, 2009, Lake Arthur High School Awards Day;

--Award of Excellence, 2009, Lake Arthur High School Jr. High Cheer Camp.

As per requirement of being named “Student of the Year”, Cassidy penned this brief autobiography:

My Life Story

A person’s history can say a lot about the person they are today. I can honestly say that without the previous influence and encouragement of a few special people in my life, I would not be even close to where I am today. From the day I was born, I was lucky to have loving parents and fun grandparents. My mom always encourages me to do the right thing and supports me on any decision I make. My dad is always there when I need someone to talk to. My great-grandparents are so fun to listen to. They always have stories to tell about everything I need to know about. Although my parents and great grandparents influence me, the person that influences me more than anybody else is my Aunt Debbie. Ever since I can remember, she has taught me to set my goals high and to never underestimate myself.

The name Cassidy means clever and ingenious. My mom must have liked that name and its meaning a lot because on September 14, 1996, that is what she named me. Until I was three, everything was normal. My mom and dad were happy, we looked like the perfect family, and I had started Pre-K in Gueydan.

Little did I know that soon one of the biggest events in my life was about to transpire. In the winter of 1999, my parents filed for divorce. Soon after, my mom and I moved out, she found a trailer, and we moved to Lake Arthur. When it came time to return to school for my kindergarten year, I started school in Lake Arthur instead of in Gueydan.

One year later, my mom introduced me to Mr. Robert, and about five months after that, my dad introduced me to Ms. Tiffany. In February of 2002, my mom and Mr. Robert got married. In November of that same year, my dad and Ms. Tiffany got married. Eleven months later, my mom had Kenzie, my first younger sibling.

In the middle of my fifth grade year, I was presented with the biggest honor I could ever imagine. I was named the Lake Arthur Elementary School “Student of the Year.” I can remember the exact events of that day. I was called to the office for a reason I did not know about at the time. When I arrived, the secretary at the desk said Mr. Byler needed to speak to me. I immediately got nervous, but I knew I had not done anything wrong. I walked into his office and he looked at me and handed me a paper. It said for Mr. Byler to announce on Monday that I was Student of the Year. I was completely speechless. I called my mom from his office phone to tell her the great news, and she was just as happy. That was one of the best days of my life!

In the summer before my sixth grade year, my mom’s 14-year-old sister, Alyssa, came to live with us. Alyssa and I grew very close over the next years, and we are practically sisters now. One day, I was sitting in Alyssa’s room watching TV and Kenzie swung the door open exclaiming that she was going to be a big sister! I was almost sprinting to see if it was true. Sure enough, it was true. I was going to be a big sister once again. To make matters even more interesting, a couple of months later my mom found out she was not having one baby, but that she was having twin boys! A year and a half later, the boys, Kane and Kye, have changed my life and made everything more exciting.

Making cheerleading my seventh grade year was a huge accomplishment. I remember jumping for joy when I saw the list posted on the gym door and just wanting to scream because I was officially a cheerleader! What happened the following year was something I never expected. I tried out just like normal, and when I went to see the list that was posted on the gym door, I almost fell over. I was so happy. I had not only made the squad, but I had made captain! Now, more than ever, I try my best to set a good example for the other cheerleaders, as well as everyone else. The position of captain has helped me gain great leadership skills.

One of the happiest moments of my life happened about two months ago. I was named Lake Arthur Jr. High School “Student of the Year.” This honor was amazing to have once, but the feeling of having it twice is unimaginable. At first, I did not quite understand what Ms. Bonin was saying, but on my way back to class, it all registered and I was so happy! There are no words for the feeling. I couldn’t wait to get home to tell my mom the wonderful news. She was very happy again.

To me, my life seems to be heading in the right direction, and I know that I can continue on this path. I eventually want to go to medical school to be a pediatrician. I want to work with kids because I can easily connect with them, and I cannot stand to see a child that is sick or hurt. I want to do everything in my power to help children that cannot help themselves and make them feel better. A person’s history can be the key to their future. I hope the goals I set for myself today will make me a better person in the future.

Cassidy Hebert

Congratulations, Miss Cassidy Paige Hebert, for your all of your achievements and for being the 2010 Lake Arthur Jr. High Student of the Year! And best of luck in attaining all of your future goals!