Step-Up Day Awards Recognize Student Achievement

Cabrini High School proudly celebrated the achievements, leadership, service, and academic excellence of its students during the 2026 Step-Up Day Awards Ceremony. The event honored students who distinguished themselves through scholarship, competition, leadership, service, language studies, and community involvement throughout the school year. 

Academic Rally Recognition

Several students earned the honor of representing Cabrini High School at the Annual District Rally Competition and qualified for the State Academic Rally Competition:

• Theomie McBride – Spanish I District Rally Qualifier
• Eleia Perriott – Biology I District Rally Qualifier and recipient of a Southeastern University scholarship
• Catherine O’Neil – World History District Rally Qualifier and recipient of a Southeastern University scholarship

Southeastern University Foreign Language Festival

Cabrini students earned top honors at the 43rd Annual Southeastern University Foreign Language Festival.

French Awards

French I

• Emily Briseno – Recitation
• Ava Partain – 2nd Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

French II

• Ainsley Welch – 2nd Place, Recitation
• Veronica Petit – 1st Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

French III

• Jade Lockett – 1st Place, Recitation
• Imari Felix – 2nd Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

French IV

• Corinne Lagarde – 1st Place, Recitation
• Jordin McFarland – 1st Place, Extemporaneous Speaking and recipient of a scholarship to study at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium

Native Speaker Categories

• Brie Haydel – 2nd Place, Translation
• Lorena Gonsoulin – 1st Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Performance Awards

• Ava Leger – 1st Place, French Music
• French Dance Team (1st Place):
  • Renee Killian
  • London Frank
  • Audrey Sutton
  • Ainsley Welch
  • Rylie Brown
  • Imari Felix

French Festival Ambassador

• Reilly May

Spanish Awards

Spanish I

• Abigail Seamster – 3rd Place, Recitation
• Giulianna Goodick – 3rd Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Spanish II

• Fiona DiPaola – 1st Place, Recitation
• Peri Smith – 1st Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Spanish III

• Sabine Noveh – 2nd Place, Recitation
• Eva Indenhoek – Extemporaneous Speaking

Spanish IV

• McKenzie Dixon – 1st Place, Recitation
• Andrea Flemings – 1st Place, Extemporaneous Speaking and selected for a special Spanish interview competition

Native Speaker Categories

• Isabella Carbalho-Cusguen – 2nd Place, Extemporaneous Speaking
• Sofia Zavala – 2nd Place, Recitation
• Emily Zavala Maldonado – 1st Place, Translation

Performance Awards

• Spanish Dance Team (1st Place):
  • McKenzie Dixon
  • Andrea Flemings
  • Kendyl Harrel
• Spanish Music Group (1st Place):
  • Skye Hamilton
  • Sabine Noveh
  • Eva Indenhoek
  • Sofia Zavala

Spanish Festival Ambassadors

• Celeste Sanchez
• Lizbeth Garcia-Cruz
• Allison Vides

Special Language and Cultural Awards

Alberto Deschapelles Award

Presented for excellence and dedication to Spanish language and culture:

• Emily Zavala Maldonado

French National Honor Society Student of Excellence

• Lorena Gonsoulin

Spanish Honor Society Students of Excellence

• Lizbeth Garcia-Cruz
• Celeste Sanchez
• Emily Zavala Maldonado

L’Union Française Award

Recognizing exceptional achievement in French language and culture:

• Brie Haydel

Sociedad Española José Luis Baños Award

Presented for outstanding achievement and interest in Spanish:

• Emily Zavala Maldonado

Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Competition Recognition

The following students represented Cabrini at a mathematics competition:

• Ava Leger
• Jade Lockett
• Amari Whitaker

Harvard Prize Book Award

Presented to an outstanding junior demonstrating excellence in scholarship and character:

• Emily Zavala Maldonado

Cocchiara Scholarship Recipients

Recipients of the prestigious four-year Cocchiara Scholarship:

• Kaylee Brown
• Aubrey Mathis
• Catherine O’Neill

New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation Scholarships

Awarded for academic excellence and community involvement:

• Carolina Cabrera
• Emily Zavala Maldonado
• Isabella Rodi

PLEASE Foundation Scholarships

Recognizing students pursuing a college-preparatory Catholic education:

• Eleia Perriott
• Emily Zavala Maldonado

Cabrini Scholarships and Financial Awards

Loyal to Green and Gold Presidential Scholarship

• Sofia Zavala

Cabrini Academic Scholarship

• Emily Briseno
• Macy Williams

Leadership Scholarship

• Gabriella Goodick
• Giulianna Goodick
• Eva Indenhoek
• Sabine Noveh
• Gracelyn Simpson
• Peri Smith

Pazos Educational Fund Scholarship

• Kylie Creel
• Audrey Wright

Pizzati Presidential Scholarship

• Kayla Gorrondona

Sacred Heart of Jesus Presidential Scholarship

• Ava Partain

Saint Frances Cabrini Patron Saint of Immigrants Scholarship

• Anna Bui
• Lizbeth Garcia-Cruz
• Jenny Tran
• Kamilah Valera
• Milay Wuhe

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Scholarship

• Charlotte Owens

Cabrini Foundation Scholarship

• Madelyn Clouate
• Lindsey Thibodeaux

Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Guadalupe Province Scholarship

• Madelynn Dietel
• Rosalia Le
• Jaedyn Pageaud

Leadership, Service, and Respect Awards

Eighth Grade

Leadership: Giulianna Goodick
Service: Rosalia Le
Respect: Ava Partain

Ninth Grade

Leadership: Mary Harris
Service: Gabriella Goodick
Respect: Sofia Zavala

Tenth Grade

Leadership: Aleah Eddie
Service: Lainey Moran
Respect: Maci Williams

Eleventh Grade

Leadership: Lorena Gonsoulin
Service: Gianna Jackson and Journi Jefferson
Respect: Josie Bacino

Little Violet Award

Presented annually to an eighth-grade student who exemplifies Mother Cabrini’s spirit of care, love, selflessness, respect, excellence, and service:

• Charlotte Hollinger

Faculty and Staff Honors

Cabrinian Educator Award

Recognizing a faculty member who exemplifies excellence in education and the Cabrinian mission:

• Cissie Gardner

Co-Worker in the Vineyard Award

Recognizing outstanding professionalism and dedication:

• Jean Montgomery

Faculty Farewell Recognition

Honoring thirty years of dedicated service as Religion teacher and former Religion Department Chair:

• Denise Theriot

Celebrating Excellence

The 2026 Step-Up Day Awards showcased the remarkable accomplishments of Cabrini students across academics, languages, leadership, service, and scholarship. The ceremony reflected the school's commitment to developing young women who embody the Cabrinian values of Respect, Excellence, and Service. Congratulations to all students recognized for their hard work, dedication, and achievements throughout the year.

To view all the images from the wards, click here.