Know a high school student who has gone above and beyond?

Nominate a deserving student for community-wide recognition

top pick bannertop pick banner

This is the time of year when high school seniors are usually sending out graduation invitations, getting their cap and gown and scheduling senior pictures while counting down the days until their first day of college.

All of those activities, however, have come to a screeching halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With schools postponing graduation, many seniors across the country are crushed and disheartened. Their final year of high school is now being spent at home while watching the world coming to a pause. This is why the American Press Top Pick Prep Awards means more now than ever.

{{tncms-inline content=”<p>Nominate an outstanding high school student now through April 23</p> <p>www.americanpress.com/top-pick</p>” id=”bde4af2e-a86c-47a0-9bd6-fecefc328db5″ style-type=”quote” title=”Pull Quote” type=”relcontent”}}

Already in its second year, the Top Pick Prep Awards is a community run program for recognizing hard-working students participating in clubs and sports. Heather Mulkey, social media content manager for the American Press, said the purpose of these awards is to bring the community’s attention to students who work hard both in and outside of school.

Mulkey said the program’s goal is to uplift these students and have the community recognize their hard work and dedication.

The Top Picks nominations are broken down by categories to recognize as many students as possible. The clubs, organizations and sports featured are common across the schools in Southwest Louisiana — 4-H, Beta, Chess Team, Key Club and chorus are just a few of the categories.

High school students can be nominated from the following parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis and Vernon. Nominations close on Thursday, April 23. To nominate a student, visit www.AmericanPress.com/TOP-PICK.

Once the community votes on the winners, the Top Picks will be published in the American Press.

Mulkey said anyone with a local student in their life who is going the extra step needs to be nominated.

“These kids are our future leaders,” she said.

The American Press Top Pick Prep Awards are sponsored by Lake Charles Toyota and Sowela Technical Community College.Nominate an outstanding high school student now through April 23

www.americanpress.com/top-pick

SportsPlus

life

2025 Chennault International Airshow canceled

Local News

Today last day to apply for Louisiana State Police Cadet Class 106

life

Celebrity chefs, master classes to be featured during Louisiana Food & Wine Festival

life

Demolition of hurricane-damaged houses in Sulphur slow going

life

Photos found in tower rubble returned intact to family

McNeese Sports

Know your foe: Alcorn

Local News

McNeese, Sowela enrollment numbers on the rise

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Tax reform is back on table

life

Salvation Army starts giving season 100 days before Christmas 

Local News

Cassidy: Second assassination attempt ‘beyond concerning’

Business

PPG reaches agreement to sell silicas products business

Local News

Lottery registration for Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grants opens Wednesday

Crime

9/17: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Trump, Harris resume campaigning after apparent assassination attempt

Crime

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges

McNeese Sports

Understudy takes center stage

Business

Cameron school employees to get boost in pay

Crime

Fired police officers accused of using racist language

McNeese Sports

McNeese looks to keep momentum

Business

Citgo vice president: Sale of petroleum refiner nearing the finish line

Local News

Sulphur Council hears arguments against borrow pit

McNeese Sports

McDowell earns SLC honors

Crime

Suspect in apparent assassination attempt against Trump charged with federal gun crimes

Local News

‘All good here’ was 1 of the final texts sent from the doomed Titan submersible, hearing reveals