Starks High
The 2023-24 Starks High School Student of the Year is Kahlia Lacole Clark.
Clark serves as a first or second year officer in several student organizations and clubs. She has organized, led and participated in many community and school activities through her organization and club memberships. She has earned recognition for her track & field events and musical performances.
She has earned many academic awards, being named ACT All-Star in English 2023 Outstanding Student in AP English 3, District Literary Rally – 2nd Place in History. She was named as a recipient of the Honesty & Integrity Award by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana Free Masons 2023, Outstanding US History Award by the Sons of the American Revolution, 3rd Place at Post Level, 3rd Place at State Level, 1st Place at Post Level for Voice of Democracy – 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Clark has applied and been accepted to: Northwestern State University, McNeese State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and is currently waiting on acceptance to LSU. She will be pursuing a degree in Forensic and Biological sciences leading to a career as a Forensic Pathologist.
She states in her autobiographical essay, “I set my sights to achieving joie de vivre: enjoyment of life. I am driven by the notion of a fulfilling future spent doing what I love that I can look back on with pride and contentment up until I draw my last breath.” She concluded her autobiographical essay with, “For the truth is that life is a complex creature, touching and tearing and teaching. To me, the truest self persists despite shifting moods and situations. It constructs the foundation of a fulfilling life on which I can continue to build.
Clark is the daughter of Calvin and Jessica Clark.
Starks Middle
The 2023-24 Starks High School Middle School Student of the Year is Mackenzie Rayne Clark.
Clark is a member of the Spanish club & JV Basketball team. She is taking three high school courses as an 8th grader. If she successfully completes these courses and scores mastery or above on the end of course exam for these courses she will receive high school credit for these courses.
When she is not studying she participates in junior rodeo competitions as a barrel racer. When she was in the 1st grade she was selected to participate in the gifted student program called REACH. She was also name the Starks High School Elementary Student of the Year as a 5th grader.
She has overcome obstacles by realizing her personal value. In her autobiographical essay she states “this is what makes me who I am: love myself, respect myself, respect others, and treat people how I would like to be treated.” She closed her essay with this statement, “I am 13 years old, my name is still Mackenzie, and I’m still me. One mistake doesn’t change a person, it is something I will always live by.”
Clark is the daughter of Stephen Clark and Katie Gillis.
Starks Elementary
The 2023-24 Starks High School Elementary School Student of the Year is Brystol Avery Holloway.
Holloway is on the middle school basketball team, middle school softball team, and a member of the pom squad.
She likes to spend time with her family, and also likes reading, shopping, and dancing. She hopes to continue achieving academic success and being an active member on the basketball and softball teams as she progresses through her middle and high school years.
Her future desire is to become a teacher so she can make a difference in the lives of others. She states in her autobiogaphical essay, “I cannot always do things perfectly but I can always try my hardest”.
Holloway is the daughter of James and Brandi Holloway.
