Pecoraro, Schexnayder, Oubre lead Class of 2006

The 55^th graduation class at St. Charles Catholic High School received diplomas following a mass May 19^th at Ascension of Our Lord Church in LaPlace . Reverend Benjamin Piovan, the school’s chaplain, celebrated the Graduation Mass for the 112 members of the Class of 2006. Concelebrants were Reverend Walter Austin, Reverend Charles Caluda, and Reverend William O’Riordan.  Diplomas were distributed by Andrew Cupit, principal.

Valedictorians were Meghan J. Pecoraro and Kimberly M. Schexnayder.  Pecoraro, the daughter of Michael and Shirley Pecoraro of LaPlace , finished with a GPA of 4.77. She attended SCC on an Academic Achievement Scholarship. She represented SCC at the District Literary Rally in physical science as a freshman, in biology as a sophomore, and in advanced math as a junior. She qualified for the State Literary Rally in her freshman and sophomore years. Pecoraro was the River Parishes Chemical Industry Council Test winner as a junior. She made the Principal’s List Honor Roll all four years.  She joined SCC’s Thirty Plus Club with a 31 composite score on the ACT. While at SCC, she was involved in many extracurricular activities. She was a member of the PASSED Program for four years, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the French Club, and appeared in the Drama Club’s spring production for two years.  She was a letterman in volleyball, basketball, and track and was named to the LHSAA’s Academic All-State Volleyball Team as a senior. Pecoraro plans to attend Loyola University on a Dean’s Scholar Award. She plans to major in Psychology/Pre-Law.

Schexnayder, the daughter of Jerry and Suzanne Schexnayder of LaPlace , also finished with a 4.77 GPA. She served as the class vice-president for all four years of high school and was named outstanding Student Council member as a freshman. Schexnayder represented SCC at the District Literary Rally for French I as a freshman, in French II as a sophomore, in Advanced Math as a junior, and in Calculus as a senior. She qualified for the State Literary Rally each year. She won third place in St. John Parish’s Arbor Day Essay Contest earlier this year. She was a member of SCC’s Peer Ministry Team and earned a bronze service award in her freshman year. She was on the Principal’s List Honor Roll all four years. She was voted Most Likely to Succeed by her classmates as a senior. Schexnayder was also active in sports, earning letters in swimming, soccer, and track. She was a member of the 2005 State Championship Swim Team and SCC’s first District Championship team in girls’ soccer this year. She was named to the Academic All-State Soccer Team as a senior. Schexnayder also qualified for the State Track Meet in the javelin this year. She plans to attend Louisiana State University on a Freshman Merit Scholarship and major in Mathematics.

Salutatorian was Nylyn R. Oubre. Oubre the daughter of Ricky and Marie Oubre of LaPlace , finished with a GPA of 4.76. She was named Student of the Year at SCC for 2005-06. She represented SCC at the District Literary Rally in her freshman, junior and senior years. She placed first in the state in Algebra I while still in eighth grade. As a junior, she was 5^th in the state in chemistry, and as a senior, placed 2^nd overall in the state in Biology II. Oubre was named Outstanding Chemistry Student as a junior. SCC’s administration selected her for the Times Picayune’s Senior Feature. She was selected to Who’s Who Among American High School Students and was a member of the National Honor Society. She served as an officer for the Spanish Club (vice-president), Music Ministry (librarian), and Student Council. She was also a member of the Beta Club, PASSED, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She won roles in SCC’s spring production all four years. Oubre was also a member of SCC’s Peer Ministry Team. She participated in Relay for Life and SCC’s  Krewe de Charles Bal Masque Entertainment. Oubre served as co-captain of the Starsteppers and was selected an American All-Star each of her four years. Oubre was awarded the prestigious Robert Fitzmorris Scholarship, which is given to the top senior dancer at the American All Star State Competition. She also lettered two years in track. She is a member of the St. Joan of Arc Church Parish Choir and teaches dance classes for a local studio. Oubre was a National Achievement Scholarship Finalist and scholarship recipient. She was offered over 340,000 in scholarships. She plans utilize that scholarship to attend the University of Alabama on and major in Telecommunications and Film. (List of 2006 Graduates)