DeQuincy High School has named Sarah VanWinkle as the 2025 Student of the Year.
VanWinkle was selected from among her classmates based on a combination of her academic, school leadership, and community involvement qualifications.
At DeQuincy High, she is the Senior Class Historian, BETA Club President and a member of the Student Council, the Honor Society, the Youth for Christ Club and the Library Club. She serves as a manager for both the Girls Volleyball and Girls Basketball teams. This year, she was chosen as the YFC Sweetheart, and she serves as DeQuincy High’s representative to the Calcasieu Parish Virtual Instruction Program Student Union.
Upon graduation, she plans to enter McNeese State University to pursue a degree in nursing.
VanWinkle is the daughter of Charles and Lori VanWinkle of Singer.
Lawt Joshua Neal is DeQuincy Elementary School’s 2025-26 Student of the Year.
Neal is the son of Josh and Neah Neal. He has two older brothers, Levi and Liam, and a younger sister Lila. He enjoys playing basketball, baseball, and football. His favorite sport is football, and he plays quarterback and middle linebacker.
Three issues that are important to him are to have a longer recess time and less quiet time in school. He also feels that it is important to be respectful to coaches, and lastly, that we all need to respect the flag and the anthem because there are people dying for our freedom.
When Neal grows up he wants to become a cop like his dad. He admires his dad because he works hard to help people and to keep them safe.
