Bright from the Start

Each year Acadiana Lifestyle honors incredible students who are not only academically inclined but engaged in their schools and communities. This is not the first time these particular students have felt the rewards of succeeding at something they’ve accomplished on their own. But it may be the first time they are recognized for promoting the spirit of schooling, of perseverance and challenging themselves. We invite you to get to know a little about them as they aspire to make their marks in agriculture, engineering, nursing, sports and music.

Help us in cheering on Austin Delahoussaye, James Kahn, Ethne Killgore, Ty Olivier, Chacelyn Peltier, Asia-Naval Quetel and Noelle Williams.

Chacelyn Peltier

12th Grade

New Iberia Senior High

“We have the best of the best in New Iberia, so we should put in what we can,” encourages Chacelyn Peltier, who has made contributions at school and in her community.

A longtime member of 4H, she was named the 89th Louisiana State Livestock Show senior broiler showmanship champion earlier this year. She considers her proudest achievement winning the Allen and Jeanette Guillory Thomspon Outstanding Showman award, which brought her a $5,000 scholarship.

Currently senior class president, Chaselyn is also a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was a member of the 2022-’23 Firestarter program. Last year she was one of three chosen as NISH’s Girls State delegate – all while maintaining the honor roll each year.

Her enthusiastic personality and communication skills have shown on the dance team and the pageant circuit. Among her titles, she currently reigns as the 2024 Iberia Parish Farm Bureau Queen.

In becoming an Eagle Scout last July, she restored the Bouligny Monument on New Iberia’s Main Street – a project she says “made me feel like I’m part of a lasting impression.”

Chaselyn plans to attend LSU and major in agriculture education with a minor in agriculture communications in hopes of making an agriculture program available to all students of Iberia Parish.

Asia-Navai Quetel

10th Grade

Westgate High School

Asia-Naval Quetel saw the rewards of her dedication and hard work last February when she received the Black History Icon award for her inspiration to others and contributions while maintaining her GPA. For her it reinforced what little voice in her head always saying, “Don’t give up; take a leap and stay dedicated to the things you look forward to.”

Her achievements at Boys and Girls Club have been as impressive this year. She was named the Club’s Youth of the Year. For the past three summers, she has worked as the Boys and Girls Club athletic manager as well as member and parent coordinator. Taking her role in influencing the youths of the community seriously she says, “I often advise them, ‘Don’t mess up your image by getting into altercations. Keep pushing even if the schoolwork is hard. Once you give up, you will fall behind. Look ahead for opportunities.’”

She displays her drive through the sports of track and volleyball, where she was named sophomore MVP.

Already a young businesswoman, she has been styling hair for over three years, calling herself a “starting loctician.” As fun as it is, this Westgate student has plans for a career in engineering.

Ethne Killgore

12th Grade

New Iberia Senior High

Qualified to be a NISH valedictorian this month, this 4.0 student says if named with the honor, her speech would encourage “doing something you love and working hard at it. Don’t do something because it sounds impressive; do it because it matters to you.”

Following her own advice, Ethne Killgore is secretary of NISH’s student government, the Jacket Assembly and is an esteemed member of the ACT 30-plus club for scoring 31 on her ACT with 32 super score. A member of the Talented Music and Visual Arts Program, she enjoys painting and has played the French horn in the band for four years.

Although she considers the violin her main instrument, she has earned a chair with the Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years and this spring became concertmaster. For three years she has been an All-State Orchestra violinist. This year she was also named concertmaster for the LSU Stately Oaks Music Festival Orchestra.

Ethne plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi, majoring in violin performance. She looks forward to teaching but also would like to perform, solo or with an orchestra. Interestingly, she also writes music and would like to later pursue composing movie scores.

Noelle Williams

6th Grade

Westminster Christian Academy

This honor roll student is an all-star athlete in volleyball (this year named team captain and MVP), softball, soccer and cheerleading (team captain). Last year she won the Double Beach Volleyball Summer League Championship. “I like being outside and in shape,” says Noelle Williams.

And while she also likes winning, she says sports have helped her overcome her shyness by offering opportunities to make new connections. Her involvement in sports has brought an interest in Stanley cups, which she has started to collect. You might say they’re trophies to herself.

“Sports have also taught me the importance of a good attitude – having a bad attitude will get you nowhere,” she says. She spreads her positive outlook through her volunteer work at the kids’ area of Parc de Oaks.

Looking back she says her time at Westminster has taught her to be herself amid the drama that comes with high school, and to treat others the way she would want to be treated.

With a mindset sure to put her on a path to success, Noelle has her sights set on a career as a labor and delivery nurse.

Austin Delahoussaye

12th Grade

New Iberia Senior High

Austin Delahoussaye is described as a leader among his peers. The 3.9 GPA student talks about the mental focus and time preparation needed to achieve good grades and respect.

While he has played football for the past two years, his leadership skills are perhaps best displayed on the basketball court, where he has been team captain since his sophomore year. “It takes a lot of focus, discipline and good communication skills to be a leader,” he notes. “You can’t have bad days. I have to hold others accountable too, so I like to set an example on the court – as well as the classroom. School comes first, so that often means waking up early and staying up late.”

He should do well holding to those standards when he attends LSU this fall, majoring in mechanical engineering.

Austin is most proud of his GPA because he knows what he has sacrificed to obtain it. At the same time, he acknowledges, “A lot of the things I achieved would not have been possible without the support of my parents.”

Ty Olivier

12th Grade

Acadiana Christian School

Ty Olivier attributes his 4.0 GPA (since 5th grade) to paying attention, taking good notes and having good study partners. “My parents always told me, ‘Grades before everything.’ I’ve always kept my grades good so I could enjoy other things like sports,” he shares.

Participating in football, basketball, baseball and track, he certainly has enjoyed his sports while balancing his academics and personal growth.

Ty was chosen as a member of Thrive, a club to bring students closer to Christ. “The program has taught me to be patient, slow to anger and give more of my time,” he maintains.

To that end he has served in Kids Ministry at Our Saviors Church, mentoring Pre-K to 5th graders over the past two years. He believes,“If we can bring kids to Christ earlier, they can be Christ-like examples and impact others at their schools.” Ty has helped schools in need through the Love Our Schools project. On a mission trip to Chiapas, MX last summer, he helped others build a home for a mom and two children.

Among his accomplishments, Ty was most excited when he signed to play football for Northwestern State University, where he will major in sports management. “I would like to become a recruiting coordinator or a general manager of a team,” he says.

James Kahn

7th Grade

Cathedral Carmel

Hearing that his nominees described him as kind and compassionate, James Kahn replies modestly, “I just try to put others before myself, and I think of what would benefit them rather than me.”

He says we can change mindsets at the high school level when we lead by example. He has seen the rewards of growing his faith from altar serving at St. John Cathedral, for the past four years, to being named the school’s Tiger of the Year in 2020, for displaying Christ-centered values.

Each summer James volunteers with the Good Fight Foundation which provides backpacks to families in need. He has also volunteered at St. Joseph’s diner.

At school, he keeps very busy with baseball, basketball, football and, most recently, tennis. He is also a member of the Beta and Chess Clubs. Articulate and expressive, James is active in Cathedral’s theater and speech departments.

As secretary for the 7th grade student council, he is promoting this year’s campaign “Helping Our Community,” which has led to an interest in government leadership. “I’d like to be involved in laws that help people in stopping crime,” he shares.