GRANT – Carlee Pitre, an eighth-grader at Fairview High School in Allen Parish has been named a finalist in the Louisiana’s Student of the Year competition.

Pitre, who received Allen Parish and regional student of the year honors earlier, is the only state finalists from Southwest Louisiana.

“I am honored to have this opportunity and humbled by it,” Pitre said. “I look forward to representing myself and Allen Parish through my leaders and show people that even if they are from a very small parish, you can still have achievements.

Pitre, who is the daughter of Courtney and Michael Pitre of Dry Creek, said she found out she made it to the state competition Friday after being presented with a letter from her mother announcing her selection as a state finalist.

“My Mom came into my room and told me to sit down and she gave me a paper to read,” Pitre recalls. “I started reading it and my jaw instantly hit the ground. I am so excited to have this opportunity.”

She and 24 other finalists, including one 5th, 8th, and 12th grader from each of the state’s eight regions, will vie for the state title on April 19 in Baton Rouge.

“I know I am going to be competing with the best of the best, but I will work hard at it,” she said.

Students are selected based on academic achievements, leadership skills, character and service to their schools and communities. Regional selection committees also use student-made portfolios of accomplishments, along with student writing samples and interviews to assess the communications and critical thinking skills of each candidate.

Pitre has a 4.0 grade-point average, which she hopes to maintain throughout high school.

She is president of the Junior BETA club and secretary of the Junior/Senior 4-H Club at Fairview High School.

“I love being part of a club and showing my leadership to my peers,” Pitre said. “I also love giving back to my community and helping others.”

She teaches children’s church at Cherry Grove Baptist Church and is involved in several church and community projects, many aimed at helping the elderly and less fortunate of the area who she says she has a “soft spot” for. In her free time, she enjoys reading.

She wants to be a physical therapist.

Allen Parish School Superintendent Kent Reed said he is proud to see Pitre be recognized for her hard work, achievements and involvement in her community.

“She is an outstanding young lady who is incredibly involved in her community,” Reed said. “This is a great honor, not only for Fairview High School, but for all of Allen Parish and Region 7. I look forward to her representing us at state.”