North Oaks Medical Explorer unit recipient of accolade

Photo provided by MELANIE ZAFUTTO -- North Oaks Medical Explorers for the 2011-2012 school year represented high schools from a five-parish area and Southeastern Louisiana University. Explorers, first row from left, are Leah Cross, Ponchatoula High School; Justin Fernandez and Brooke Dawson, Hammond High Magnet School; Danielle Vasquez, St.Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Jaismin Gipson, Hammond High Magnet School; Brianna Foster, Albany High School; Victoria St. Phillip, Archbishop Hannan High School; and Holly Kliebert, Southeastern Louisiana University. Second row are Morgan Horn, Albany High School; Sarah Ellen Edwards, Summer Naquin and Anna Lanier, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Krystena Randall, Covington High School; Kate Russo, Ponchatoula High School; and Brooke Robertson, Hammond High Magnet School. Third row are Rainah Henderson, Ponchatoula High School; Sadie Daugereaux, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Mukti Patel, Taylor Newsom and Casey Henley, Ponchatoula High School; Paige Kastner, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Megan Monte, Ponchatoula High School; and Sontrell Solomon, Hammond High Magnet School. Fourth row are Avrielle Steward and Margaux Price, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Mary-Brent Brown, St. Scholastica Academy; Shakyra Cooper, Covington High School; Jensine Joseph, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Ernesha McCray, Hammond High Magnet School; Brittany Mixon, Loranger High School; Lacee Sawyer, Hammond High Magnet School; Rekesha Jones, Ponchatoula High School; Kristen Favalora, Hammond High Magnet School; Shelbi Norwood, Springfield High School; Kayleigh Catalanatto and Cyonda Gayton, Hammond High Magnet High School; Alexis deZayas, St. Scholastica Academy; and Samantha Hall, Ponchatoula High School. Fifth row are Emily Serpas, St. Scholastic Academy; Savannah Hall, Ponchatoula High School; Jourdan Moschitta, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Jeremey Shropshire, Hammond High Magnet School; and Kadejah Banks, St. Helena Central High School. Sixth row are Christopher Hudspeth and Bryon Garrety, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Erin Barksdale, Ponchatoula High School; Damonstrey Richardson, Hammond High Magnet School; Victoria Laboyteaux, Springfield High School; Trey Latino, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School; Kelsey McLaughlin, Hammond High Magnet School; and Hadley Modeen, St. Scholastica Academy. Not pictured are: Chatalyn Jackson, Amite High School; Ted Hartley, Bowling Green High School; and and Tyler Robinson, Ponchatoula High School.

The Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored Medical Explorer Post 940, chartered by North Oaks Health System, for outstanding service to youth, hospital officials said.

The North Oaks Post gives students ages 14-20 an opportunity to study health care careers through a career fair, meetings with medical professionals and direct observation during winter and spring school breaks.

During the 2011-2012 school year, the Post attracted 54 Explorers from Southeastern Louisiana University and 12 Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parish high school students.

The 2012-2013 year will start in October 2012 with a meeting for newcomers. For more information, call North Oaks Volunteer Services at [phone].