The Bogue Chitto Masonic Lodge partnered with Bogue Chitto Attendance Center PTA and local business sponsors to honor the “Top Cats” in elementary. The top 14 students — seven boys and seven girls in grades K-6 — were honored. The students received votes by their grade band teachers, as well as teachers in other elementary grades based on the following characteristics: respect, responsibility, courage, gratitude, kindness, perseverance, fairness, self-discipline, citizenship and trustworthiness.

Teachers then chose the “cream of the crop” for the top two Top Cats. The Lodge donated two new bicycles for these students.

“They are true leaders on and off campus,” said Ronnye Hart, Bogue Chitto teacher and PTA representative.

The 14 Top Cat nominees were: Lynlee Waldrop and Finn Brown, kindergarten; Doniyah Smith and Kayden Baylis, first grade; Ava Kate Lofton and Price Alexander, second grade; Rayna Nations and Waylon Richardson, third grade; Esmeralda Maldonaldo and Mason Hart, fourth grade; Harmony Hunley and Ky Waldrop, fifth grade; and Lataysia Felder and Chad Richardson, sixth grade.

Local businesses and several parents donated swag baskets full of gift cards and other goodies for each student.

Second-grade student Price Alexander and fifth-grader Harmony Hunley were the overall Top Cats.

“We hope to continue this very positive program in order to motivate more outstanding students to become leaders in and out of the classroom,” Hart said.