NOLA-PS Congratulates its 2021 State Students of the Year Finalists

(New Orleans – April 20, 2021) — Three students from NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) have been named finalists in the Louisiana Department of Education's (LDOE) annual Students of the Year competition. NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. will be visiting Lusher 5^th grader Quincy Shariff, Lusher 8^th grader Marbella Maristany, and Benjamin Franklin High School 12^th grader Ava Wilkes, in class, this week.

"I'm so proud of Quincy, Marbella, and Ava. They're well-rounded students who have not only achieved academic excellence, but have also demonstrated good citizenship and leadership skills," said NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. "We are honored to have them represent our District in the annual Louisiana Student of the Year competition. The winners will be announced tomorrow, and we wish them all good luck."

Quincy Shariff is a 5^th grader enrolled at Lusher Charter School. In addition to stellar academics, accolades for artistic gymnastics, and participation in Honors Orchestra, helping others is very important to her. She volunteers her time fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She also teaches young children at her church. During quarantine she started an anti-racist virtual book club for the younger students.

"Quincy is an incredibly thoughtful person," according to Michele Hallinan, Lusher's Willow Campus librarian. "She is a natural leader who knows when to lead and when to listen. While it would be easy for her to dominate a conversation given her intelligence, she will respectfully ask for and listen to her classmates' opinions. She encourages others and brings out the best in them."

Marbella Maristany is an 8th grade student attending Lusher Charter School. All throughout her life she has thoroughly enjoyed the arts. Marbella has played piano ever since she was a young child; however, playing the piano is not her only interest.

Marbella also enjoys other aspects of the arts, especially the visual arts. Some of her other hobbies include baking, singing, cooking, and sewing. Not only does Marbella enjoy the arts but she also loves staying physical and playing sports including tennis and a little volleyball. Above all Marbella enjoys spending time with her friends and family so that she can share her interests and remember she always has people supporting her.

Ava is a National Merit Finalist and a U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate. In addition to playing soccer and tennis, she serves on the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council and as a volunteer tutor and homeroom representative. She is also a member of the DoSomething Club and the National Honor Society. A straight-A student taking a full load of AP classes, Ava speaks both French and Chinese and made a perfect 36 on her ACT.

"Ava is great," said Dr. Michael Tabony '00, who teaches Wilkes' AP biology class. "She's always engaged in class and takes a very active role helping her peers understand what they're working on. I'm sure she could succeed at anything she put her mind to, but I think she could be a great teacher someday if she chose to be."

Prior to being chosen as a state winner, the state selection committee conducts interviews and reviews a writing sample from each of the finalists. NOLA-PS is rooting for each of its finalists and wishes them much success! The state will announce the winners online tomorrow, Wednesday, April 21 at 2pm.

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About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish. It includes the district's administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 76 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr.

For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.