2024 Young Heroes
Donald "Tré" Bishop
Donald “Tré” Bishop III of Lafayette (Sophomore at Ascension Episcopal School), lives by the motto, "Go out every day and change the world." From a young age, Tré has contributed to his community by doing small things that have made significant impacts, including saving his allowance to buy socks for the homeless. In the fall of 2023, Tré raised $49,500 in three days to help St. Bernadette Clinic and the Lourdes Foundation with the clinical needs of those needing help. He is an active volunteer during winter storms and hurricanes, providing blankets, filling sandbags, gathering supplies, cleaning up debris, and serving meals. Determined to keep Louisiana beautiful, Tré worked with his peers, school, political candidates, local mayors, Lt. Governor Nungesser, and Secretary of State Ardoin to create a program to recycle political signs and formed a sustainable collaborative to keep them out of landfills. He partnered with Wreaths Across America to recycle the stakes for veteran graves, and in 2021, he was instrumental in the passage of HCR70 in the Louisiana House and Senate, which encourages and assists with local collection and recycling of campaign signs. Tré has done all these good deeds despite having ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia.
Morgan Daigle
Morgan Daigle of Clifton (Junior at Northwood - Lena High School) is part of the Choctaw Tribe and, as a member of Northwood High School's Youth Volunteer Corps, she has volunteered hundreds of hours of public service in Clifton's Choctaw Community, including cleaning up the graveyard and community areas, promoting literacy, and participating in blood drives. Morgan was the driving force behind Northwood's Chemo Bag Drive, which is in honor of her late mother, and resulted in over 120 bag donations to Cabrini Cancer Center in 2023. As is evident, her true passion is helping people. Morgan is adamant that where you come from does not define you, and as class president for the past three years, sets an example for the younger students at her school. She always takes the time to poll others to decide what is best for everyone. She has been a spokesperson for classmates and has urged them to seek change in the right way using the proper channels, which is one reason why her classmates look up to her. She currently plans to become an educator after she graduates. As one of her teachers best said, "she is truly kind to every single student."
Germyrion “Gigi” George
Germyrion “Gigi” George of Baton Rouge (Senior at Liberty Magnet High School) embodies a strong sense of determination despite adversity. Raised in a single-parent household, her inspiring heroism lies in her ability to persevere, despite challenges. By prioritizing her well-being and dismissing external judgements, Gigi sets a powerful example for peers, reinforcing the importance of embracing one’s self-worth in the face of adversity. She has served on the East Baton Rouge Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council engaging in discussions with community leaders, fostering connections with peers, and participating in community service projects. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and is Vice President of both the Bakers and Tasters Club and the Southern Cooking Club. Gigi captivates audiences with her moving poetry recitations. Her ability to forge connections through poetry underscores her profound understanding of the impactful role of words in fostering inclusivity through art. Her passion is to study nursing at a historically Black institution. Driven by a service-oriented mindset, her goal is to become a traveling nurse practitioner, positively impacting diverse communities. She also promotes diverse opportunities for success for those not inclined towards traditional college education. Gigi’s unwavering determination, caring nature, and contagious cheerfulness make her not only an exceptional individual but also a source of hope for the future.
Anna Jusselin
Anna Jusselin of Gonzales (Freshman at St. Amant High School) has shown perseverance since the day she was born with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, a benign lung lesion. At five months old and after an episode of not breathing, the lower lobe of her left lung was removed. Anna’s prognosis was uncertain, but fourteen years later, Anna is a vibrant teenager who doesn’t let anything hold her back from accomplishing her goals. These goals include raising funds through her annual “Drink Pink Day” selling lemonade and breast cancer awareness t-shirts. To date, Anna’s donations to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center total over $32,000. Anna volunteers for Team of Dreams, a baseball league for persons with special needs, and says “to see the smiles on the players’ faces when they hit the ball and make a run, is the best feeling in the whole world.” Anna has participated in Youth Legislature advocating for teacher pay raises and serves on the Youth Advisory Committee to represent her school and classmates before members of the Ascension Parish School Board. Anna is an avid equestrian. She, and her horse, Dolly, participate in Hunter/Jumper competitions, and she has plans to specialize in equine veterinarian medicine at college
Hudson Mobley
Hudson Mobley of Metairie (Junior at Haynes Academy) is a certified lifeguard at Sunrise Swim Club, but it was while he was working at Chateau Country Club as a golf cart attendant, in October 2023, that Hudson witnessed a patron collapse of cardiac arrest. Hudson immediately jumped into action & performed CPR until the emergency responders arrived on scene. Today that patron is alive because of Hudson's heroic act. He was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Chief of Kenner's Fire Department as well as the General Manager at Chateau Country Club. Hudson being in the right place at the right time has shown his classmates & friends the importance of learning how to perform CPR. He is a kind & humble soul, who is self-motivated and hardworking. Hudson recently participated in the Louisiana Association of Student Councils, serving as a delegate working with many other students around the state. He is the Haynes Academy girls' basketball team manager, and as incoming swim team captain, Hudson enjoys mentoring teammates and building team morale. He hopes to become a Biomedical Engineer and earned the opportunity to enroll in the LSU Partnership Pre-Engineering Pathway Program through Haynes Academy.
Hunter Robertson
Hunter Robertson of Denham Springs (Junior at Denham Springs High School) was born four weeks early with a congenital anomaly covering his back necessitating regular biopsies. This served to make Hunter sensitive to other people’s issues. He is especially empathetic to those experiencing bullying. One early morning in October 2023, Hunter and his mom heard an unusual noise from the pond behind their house. During those dark, chilly moments, Hunter jumped in his kayak and began to scan the water. He paddled toward the sound and saw an unusual ripple. He found a bare foot sticking up from the water. He grabbed the foot and pulled using all his strength while still balancing the kayak. The foot belonged to a 4-year-old girl. Hunter rushed to the bank with the child and his fearless actions saved her life. After Hurricane Ida, Hunter helped clean yards and delivered meals to the lineman restoring power. He has 5 first place and 15 second and third place finishes with Junior Bassmaster. In 2020, he competed in the Junior National Bass Championship, and was also named Jr. Southwest Bassmaster Club "Fisherman of the Year.” When the schools closed during the pandemic, Hunter befriended a young neighbor with Downs Syndrome, and taught him how to cast a rod and how to spot a nibble. This became a daily activity for the two boys. Within a week, his new friend had caught his first fish.
Lauren Swanson
Lauren Swanson of Gonzales (Senior at Ascension Christian High School) was diagnosed with Dense Deposit Disease in 2020, requiring multiple hospital visits to Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, regular blood work labs, biweekly infusions, and other treatments, including visits to a specialty hospital in Iowa, where she had a kidney transplant in February 2024. Despite her health challenges, Lauren excels academically. Her love for softball and her team kept her, if not on the field, in the dugout cheering her teammates on amidst hospital visits. As President of the National Honor Society, even with her medical issues, she has helped facilitate multiple service projects including nursing home outreach, the pediatric cardiologist foundation project and the Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital project. She also coordinated a bake sale fundraiser for the Houston flood victims, raising $1,600 for an affected middle school. She is always the first person to offer help if a student is struggling and exceeds expectations by being the first to show up and the last to leave. Lauren will graduate with an Honors Diploma and 18 hours of dual enrollment college credit. Lauren’s health struggles do not define her; they make her stronger. She is an inspiration.
