Baton Rouge - Landon John Fenroy, a 5th grader at Teche Elementary School, was named as a finalist for 2026 Louisiana student of the Year.
The Louisiana Department of Education recently named 24 finalists for the 2026 Louisiana Students of the Year competition. The honorees include one 5th, 8th, and 12th grader from each of the state’s eight BESE regions. Finalists will convene this spring for an awards ceremony in Baton Rouge and the announcement of the Louisiana Students of the Year winners from each grade.
“Congratulations to each of our finalists, who represent the very best of Louisiana’s students through their hard work, leadership, and academic achievement,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “Their success reflects the strong work happening in classrooms across our state, and we look forward to recognizing these students alongside their families and educators this spring.”
Students are selected based on criteria that measure academic achievement, leadership skills, character, and service to their schools and communities. Regional selection committees also use electronic portfolios of accomplishments, along with student writing samples and interviews to assess the communications and critical thinking skills of each candidate Finalists were selected among student of the year winners from schools across the state. All Louisiana schools were eligible to submit one candidate. Students compete with their peers at the school system level and may advance to the zone and regional competitions. Prior to selecting the three state winners, the state selection committee will conduct interviews and review a writing sample from each of the finalists as well as their portfolios.
