(06/29/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — Two north Louisiana 4-H’ers have been named Student of the Year in this year’s competition.

The winners are immediate past state 4-H president Antavion “Tay” Moore, of Ringgold High School in Bienville Parish, and Zachary Cryer, from Benton Middle School in Bossier Parish.

Moore won in the 12th grade division, and Cryer was named the eighth grade Student of the Year.

The annual Louisiana Department of Education competition begins at the local level, where each school in the state submits the name of one member of their student body. From there, the students advance to regionals, and then state competition.

Students are selected based on criteria that measure academic success; career and technical achievements; leadership skills; character; and service to their schools and communities.

Louisiana 4-H is a youth development program administered by the LSU AgCenter with clubs and groups in all 64 parishes.

Each of the 4-H winners has extensive portfolios from their experiences in the 4-H youth organization as well as achievements in other areas.

Moore, who recently graduated from high school, has already earned two associate degrees from Bossier Parish Community College.

Moore said he hopes to advocate for the Louisiana education system, especially dual enrollment.

Last year, as an 11th grader, Moore had enough credits to receive an associates of general studies degree and a certificate of general studies.

“This year, I completed my associate of arts in performing arts and certificate of music technical studies,” he said. “I will be enrolled at LSU in the fall and will be majoring in biological engineering.”

Moore hopes to one day become a physician and pursue a career in hospital administration. “Where the Lord leads me, I will follow,” he said.

AgCenter 4-H regional coordinator Karen Martin said in addition to being named Senior Student of the Year, Moore also was one of 20 students selected for the Ron Brown Scholarship from more than 5,000 applicants from across the nation. And he was recently selected to be on the National 4-H Youth Advisory Council.

Cryer, the Middle School Student of the Year, is not new to this award. As a fifth grader, he also was named Student of the Year.

“Zachary has been in 4-H since fourth grade and he has always loved it,” said Emily Cryer, his mom.

AgCenter 4-H agent Jeannie Crnkovic said 4-H has had a great impact on Zachary, and his hard work is paying off.

Janet Fox, LSU AgCenter 4-H department head, said this is an exciting time for the Louisiana 4-H youth organization.

“Both of our winners show the results of hard work and dedication,” she said.

The Louisiana Department of Education annually “acknowledges the accomplishments of one incredible fifth, eighth and twelfth grade student based on their leadership, academic performance, achievements, citizenship and service to the school and community,” according to the department’s website.

The Student of the Year is presented in conjunction with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Antavion “Tay” Moore, of Ringgold High School in Bienville Parish, is the 2020 12th grade Louisiana Student of the Year. Photo by Karen Martin/LSU AgCenter

Zachary Cryer, of Benton Middle School in Bossier Parish, is the 2020 Louisiana eighth grade Student of the Year. Photo by Andrea Schwartz/Bossier Parish Schools