Johnson, Nelson earn top honors at Patterson High

Patterson High School will hold graduation at 7 p.m. Friday at the Patterson High gym.
Leading commencement are valedictorians Loreal Johnson and Bailey Nelson.
Johnson, the daughter of Jason Henry and Brandi Favors, was on the student council for three years, Insight for four years, Helping Hands for two years, senior to freshman mentor one year, Beta Club for three years and yearbook two years.
Johnson played basketball for three years. She was a cheerleader for three years and participated in track four years.
She volunteered for Biddy Basketball state tournament concessions. Johnson intends to major in digital advertising at LSU. Johnson was a Patterson High Scholar Athlete. She received a Hillcorp Energy Scholarship.
Nelson, the daughter of Chad and Alysia Nelson, was a drum major in band for two years and served as Beta Club president and vice president. Nelson also participated in softball, quiz bowl, parish and district honor bands and talented music. She was also a freshman mentor.
Each year, Nelson gives Thanksgiving baskets to widows as part of her youth group. Nelson has volunteered at the Patterson Easter egg hunt a few times with her youth group. Nelson also helped work on The Adullam Household of Faith in Patterson.
Nelson intends to major in math at LSU. Nelson received an Atchafalaya Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute scholarship and the Tiger Excellence Scholars Award at LSU.