By Rebecca Chaisson
Managing Editor
St. Edmund Catholic High School bid farewell to its Class of 2026 during its Senior Awards Ceremony and Graduation held at the church, where 33 seniors were recognized for academic excellence, leadership, and service before receiving their diplomas Saturday morning.
Following the welcome and invocation was the traditional Passing of the Candle ceremony. Senior Class President Laura Kate Miller addressed the juniors, saying: “We, the seniors of 2026, give to you, the juniors, our light. This is the light of knowledge, leadership, and most importantly the light of Christ. Carry it proudly because it lights the way for those who come after you.”
Brandi Daigle served as the master of ceremonies, guiding the presentation of awards and scholarships. Principal Mitchell Fontenot and Assistant Principal Nicole Sonnier presented cords and plaques to honor graduates.
Academic Distinctions
Nine students earned Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA, gold cord): Dane Fontenot (also 4-H State Honor Cord), Blair Heinen, Caroline Heinen (Louisiana Girls State), Caroline Lavergne, Sophie LeBleu, Aubrie LeJeune, Laura Kate Miller, Stella Summerlin (Louisiana Girls State), and Nathan Zaunbrecher.
Five students received Magna Cum Laude (3.75–3.99 GPA, silver cord): Clay Aguillard, Andrew Daigle, Caroline Fontenot, Katy Miller, and Oscar Summerlin.
Three students achieved Cum Laude (3.5–3.749 GPA, bronze cord): Joe Aucoin, Sara Grace Feucht, and Ava LaFleur.
Highest Cumulative Average Subject awards went to Blair Heinen (English & Math), Laura Kate Miller (History), Nathan Zaunbrecher (Science), and a four-way tie in Spanish among Blair Heinen, Oscar Summerlin, Stella Summerlin, and Nathan Zaunbrecher.
Laura Kate Miller was recognized as Senior Class President and Student Council President. Stella Summerlin and Katy Miller were noted for yearbook and National Honor Society leadership. Eleven students were inducted into the Hall of Fame: Clay Aguillard, Andrew Daigle, Caroline Fontenot, Dane Fontenot, Blair Heinen, Caroline Heinen, Sophie LeBleu, Laura Kate Miller, Oscar Summerlin, Stella Summerlin, and Nathan Zaunbrecher. Nathan Zaunbrecher was named Mr. SEH and Stella Summerlin Miss SEH. Laura Kate Miller also received the Distinguished Service Award.
Scholarship Winners The Class of 2026 earned an impressive total of $1,550,016 in scholarships and TOPS awards.
Major Scholarships Included:
* Medical Energy Incorporated 4-Year Meritorious Scholarship ($40,000): Caroline Heinen
* Opelousas General Health System Academic & Leadership Excellence Scholarship ($8,000): Caroline Heinen
* Louisiana Farm Bureau Linda and Wayne Zaunbrecher Scholarship ($12,000): Dane Fontenot
* VFW Post 8971 Scholarships: Andrew Daigle and Caroline Heinen
* American Legion Awards ($100 each): Blair Heinen and Dane Fontenot
* Bayou Des Cannes Water System Glenn Mentel Scholarship ($800): Andrew Daigle
* JD Bank of Eunice Scholarship ($400): Caroline Fontenot
* Basile State Bank Educational Assistance Award ($1,000): Landen Marcantel
* Delta Waterfowl Scholarship ($1,000): Laura Kate Miller
* Gracie Marie Zaunbrecher Memorial Scholarships ($250 each): Blair Heinen and Charles Sonnier
* SE Blue Jay Alumni Association Scholarship ($2,500): Laura Kate Miller
* Harry B. Summerlin Scholarship ($1,500): Charles Sonnier
* Ross Andrus Memorial Scholarship ($1,000): Peyton Vizena
* Tony Fuselier Memorial Scholarships ($250 each): Briseyda Deshotel and Caroline Fontenot
* Rodney Edmund Landreneau, Jr. M.D. Memorial Award: Nathan Zaunbrecher
* St. Anthony of Padua Shelby John Manuel Memorial Scholarship ($100): Joe Aucoin
* St. Anthony Service Scholarships ($200 each): Joe Aucoin, Benji Guillory, Blair Heinen, Caroline Heinen, Oscar Summerlin, Stella Summerlin
* PTC Academic Scholarships ($250 each to Summa Cum Laude graduates): Dane Fontenot, Blair Heinen, Caroline Heinen, Caroline Lavergne, Sophie LeBleu, Aubrie LeJeune, Laura Kate Miller, Stella Summerlin, Nathan Zaunbrecher
* Eunice Rotary Club Scholarships ($500 each): Wyatt Dubois and Charles Sonnier
Multiple students also received TOPS Tech, Opportunity, Performance, Honors, and Excellence scholarships, along with institutional offers from universities including LSU, McNeese State, UL Lafayette, and others totaling hundreds of thousands in merit aid.
The Summa Cum Laude graduates delivered speeches, including Dane Fontenot, Blair Heinen, Caroline Heinen, Caroline Lavergne, Aubrie LeJeune, Sophie LeBleu, Laura Kate Miller, Stella Summerlin, and Nathan Zaunbrecher.
Following the diploma presentation by school officials, graduates flipped their tassels and sang the Alma Mater as new alumni.
Congratulations to the St. Edmund Catholic High School Class of 2026:
Clayton Louis Aguillard, Joe Oliver Aucoin, Greta Alysse Bozyone, Dominic Augustine Briscoe, Owen Lee Cart, Payton Ross Credeur, Andrew Joseph Daigle, Briseyda Kathryn Deshotel, Wyatt Nicholas Dubois, Sara Grace Feucht, Caroline Grace Fontenot, Dane Steven Fontenot, Lannie Hayden Fruge’-Reed, Benjamin Mark Guillory, Joseph Brent Guillory, Blair Elise Heinen, Caroline Therese Heinen, Ava Rae LaFleur, Caroline Marie Lavergne, Sophie Ann LeBleu, Aubrie Layne LeJeune, Landen Joseph Marcantel, William Wiley Middlebrooks Campbell, Katy Marie Miller, Laura Kate Miller, Preslee Elizabeth Perron, Audrey Grace Rachal, Ava Anne Smith, Charles Michael Sonnier, Oscar Bennett Summerlin, Stella Marie Summerlin, Peyton Jude Vizena, and Nathan Wayne Zaunbrecher.