2007 Young Heroes
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Cameron Batiste
Cameron Batiste of Arnaudville saved his family when a fire broke out at his grandmother’s house. After awakening his family, he literally pushed his little brother out a window to safety.
Joshua Droy
Joshua Droy of Baton Rouge was born with Cerebral Palsy and almost died from a severe flu virus when he was ten. He is still trying to recover, receiving daily physical therapy. Despite his physical difficulties, he was able to serve as a Young Ambassador to Australia, painted houses with Habitat for Humanity, volunteers at a retirement center and works with children at Greenville Elementary in addition to holding down a job at Iberville Motors.
Jonathan Dunlap
Jonathan Dunlap of Pineville was born 15 weeks premature and weighed under two pounds. Called a “Miracle Baby” by the staff at St. Francis Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, his early arrival left him with a neurological disorder that made it difficult to learn. He has served as a YWCA counselor and lifeguard, been a member of his school’s state championship Cross Country Team and volunteers with the Children’s Miracle Network and Salvation Army.
Jessica Elliot
Peabody Magnet High senior Jessica Elliot is an outstanding student who volunteers for a wide range of causes including the Food Bank, the Lifeshare Blood Center, the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, peer tutoring and working as a D.A.R.E. volunteer at local elementary schools. She was born with a number of life-threatening healthproblems because of her mother’s drug use, but she has been able to persevere. In addition to all her other activities, she has taken on the role of primary caregiver for her grandmother who has suffered two strokes.
Cory Mayon
Cory Mayon has a perfect 4.0 average at Berwick High was named St, Mary Parish Student of the Year. An all-district baseball player, he also donates his time to a number of causes including the Boys and Girls Clubs, United Blood Services, Toys for Tots, UNICEF. He has already taken a number of college courses at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Jordan Prince
Jordan Prince of Walker is a brain cancer survivor, having been diagnosed when she was eight. Her treatment left her with a hearing impairment, short term memory problems and a number of physical impairments. Despite all this, she is a tireless fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital and donates art supplies to the hospital, is an active spokesperson for blood drives, participates in Locks of Love every year and makes jewelry to raise money for local causes.
Luke Richer
When Hurricane Rita threatened his hometown of Elton, Luke Richer helped evacuate residents, secure town property, supplied food and water to evacuation shelters and assisted FEMA and the Red Cross. He is also a member of the Jefferson Davis Fire Department with training as a first responder and is certified to handle hazardous material spills. .He was honored for his efforts to save a state trooper involved in a hit and run accident. He was also a four-year starter on the Elton football team.
Ryan Robinson
Ryan Robinson of New Llano is a senior honor roll student at Leesville High School where his peers recently voted him "Most Likely To Succeed." He is already earning college credit by completing two college courses and is working on two more. Ryan serves his community by looking for opportunities to lend a helping hand. He donates his time to children with special needs, visits the elderly in nursing homes, and even provided his own new school uniforms to a young hurricane evacuee living in a shelter. Ryan accomplishes all this while working two part-time jobs to help take care of his family.
