The 2025 Louisiana Young Heroes program is made possible through the generous support of our presenting sponsors, the Gail and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, Fishman, Haygood, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, providing educational help to students benefits our community and state.

The library offers live online tutoring through homework, Louisiana registration, and information at IBA AL.com slash homework help with thanks to our title sponsor.

Every community has a story.

Ours began over 105 years ago.

From a simple belief that great coffee has the power to bring people together, one cup at a time, community coffee community in every cup.

Since 1919, with additional support from the US Army Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion, Demko and McDonald's with the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting and viewers like you, thank you.

Hello, I'm Dorothea Wilson.

For almost three decades, LPB has honored an inspiring group of students as Louisiana Young Heroes.

This spring, I got to meet the six wonderful high school students being recognized as the 2025 Louisiana Young Heroes.

In this special, we're sharing their stories and celebrating their achievements.

Let's meet the newest class of young heroes now.

I would just like to say to push past the pain.

The pain is only temporary, but eventually the success and the growth you get it will last forever.

Meet Jessica Anderson, one of this year's young heroes.

She received her nomination from assistant Principal Kim Thibodeau and was selected from a pool of 1800 students at Southside High School in Youngsville, Louisiana.

I actually had the privilege of teaching her when she was a freshman.

She was in my art class and I knew she was special.

I think it was week one.

Kim says it was Jessica's willingness to serve that set her apart.

I think what she does is she puts others before herself, and she did that from day one as well.

She would come to me after school, and if you remember in you, you would say, Mr. Beto, do you have anything I can help you with?

I'm here for like an extra, you know, hour.

And after hearing Jessica's personal story, Kim knew that the world needed to hear it.

It was really important to me that that information got out and the people knew how special she was.

Jackson.

Jessica was born and raised in Haiti and faced significant challenges early in her life.

After her biological mother died.

When she was just two years old.

Her father, unable to adequately support both her and her sister, made the difficult decision to seek assistance.

He placed his children in the care of a young missionary woman who had recently moved to Haiti and just knew that God had, you know, chosen us to be a family.

And so I said, yes.

And, we lived together in Haiti for almost 11 years before we came to the States.

The three of them quickly formed a close knit family, giving Jessica the best of both worlds.

She now had her new adoptive mother, Megan Boudreaux, alongside her sister Nika, and her father, who still resides on the island.

However, their lives took an unexpected turn when Megan, Jessica, and Nika faced a sudden upheaval.

What was meant to be a brief trip to the States extended into what feels like an eternity.

We never knew that we weren't going back to Haiti, so she didn't, you know, pack up Haiti and pack up her room and say bye to her friends.

She literally packed to carry on.

We were coming for a visit for a week, and then it turned into four years.

And so to forever, you know?

Yeah.

The day after Jessica and her family arrived in the United States from Haiti, Covid 19 brought the world to a standstill, preventing their return.

Once the world started to reopen.

Travel bans and advisories were then implemented due to extreme violence and harsh living conditions, rendering Haiti an unsafe travel destination.

As a result, Jessica faced yet another setback.

It started showing in my schoolwork, so I would say that was probably the hardest part of transition.

She felt isolated because of Covid 19 and missed her home in Haiti.

However, after weeks of exploration, a change took place.

She started to embrace life in Louisiana.

I'm part of Beta Club, National Honor Society.

Yes.

And then I in school.

Ambassador.

And then I'm part of mayor.

President's is the research council.

Now, Jessica is involved in multiple athletic clubs, but the most surprising one is powerlifting.

I think piloting for sure this year has taught me to push past the pain, to lift, even though is hurting, and then being able to see how far we got.

After high school, I hope to go to Tulane University and study biomed research.

Jessica plans to join forces with the Red cross and travel to third world countries to research problems in the area and find solutions, starting with Haiti.

I am Jessica Anderson and I am a young hero.

Good work is only able to be done by hard work.

As long as you dedicated, motivated, and you have your heart set out for something.

The sky's the limit.

William Matthews has been diagnosed with level three autism, ADHD and ADHD.

However, his journey displays incredible perseverance.

Being born with autism and all these other things, it's like me trying to find a way to just be myself.

But I realize myself may be a little abnormal.

So learning how to adjust and adapt my behavior to be like this is acceptable, or this, this is normal behavior.

So it's really having to adapt to my environment and all these other things.

Nominated for the Young Hero Award by his college counselor, Jackie a steel from the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition.

Jackie believes that his diagnosis does not define him.

Instead, it is his determination, ambition and commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

That sets him apart from his peers.

The first time that I met William, I knew that there was something that was different about him than my other students in the best way possible.

The enthusiasm that he had, the optimism that he had on that first day reinvigorated why I do the work that I do.

And then from then on, William has been like the best student in our program.

And Jackie isn't alone in seeing William as a young hero.

His JROTC instructor, Colonel Boyd, mentioned that if he hadn't already been nominated, she would have nominated him herself.

He has been in the JROTC program since, I want to say, 2021.

And as an incoming freshman or LED one, he was able to participate in the rifle team.

He was able to participate in the flag detail, is able to participate in the archery team, where we actually went to nationals and placed fifth overall for JROTC.

And now William is now the captain of the archery team.

And there's more.

Even William's principal joined in to tell us how unique William is.

William is unforgettable.

Here we pride ourselves, on, you know, certain core values, perseverance, respect, integrity, discipline, excellence and when you meet William, you know that he exemplifies all of those characteristics.

He give you the shirt off of his back if he could.

Earlier this year, this young hero was faced with earth shattering news.

I had to sit both of my boys down and let them know that after he graduates in May, I'm going on hospice.

He's had to do this entire year knowing that he's going to lose me at the end of the year.

It breaks my heart like I can't lie and say it's not killing me inside, but to really think about it, it's like not many people get to die the way they want to die.

It's so I think when you're able to pass away peacefully, you should really be happy.

My dream is to be a paleontologist, which digs up dinosaur bones and excavates rocks and stuff like that.

And the number one paleontology school in the United States is Geo University.

Through the many hardships and challenges William has faced, the one thing that he feels in his heart is gratitude.

Give credit where credit's due.

I have to thank all the mentors and people that have walked in my life and have guided me, whether it be at church, at school, over the summer, at conservation, even friends.

It's just the people that have been in my life.

The reason I'm still here.

I am William Matthews and I am a young hero.

I will say that you are the writer of your own story.

However you want your story to end, it will in a way.

You are the author of your own book.

Meet young hero number three.

Jenica Stanley Junior.

I entered the foster care system at the age of ten, when her mother, struggling with mental illness, could no longer provide for her and her siblings.

For two years, Jenica took on many adult responsibilities, working hard to keep the family together, believing that one day her mother would recover.

When Jenica finally entered foster care, she missed her family immensely and struggled with feelings of depression and rejection, particularly as she was the last to be fostered.

Then, unexpectedly, everything changed.

I got to meet somebody that, you know, helped me through that process, help me through life, navigate me just, you know, be my kind of guardian angel in that sense.

And I can say, like, she's the reason I'm here now.

So, I mean, growing up, it kind of was hard.

But now that I'm in the space that I am, I can grow and I can flourish and I can be who I want to be.

Once placed in her new home with her new foster mother, Sharon Norwood, Jenica began to thrive.

And she also began engaging in a variety of activities, such as the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition.

That's where she met her nominator, Michelle Lewis.

When I think about Jenica, I think of someone who is passionate, who is kind, who is so loving, and she's usually a super quiet, but is it's her wisdom that takes over the room when she talks is just amazing.

I think the Nico story is one of transformation.

I'll turn your pain into passion and turning adversity into a stepping stone for a better future.

I'm the vice president for National Honor Society.

I'm part of Hosa club.

I've been a part of the Bay club.

I'm a cheerleader.

Run and track.

I've been in the RTC and my company commander.

I know, and you know, right now I just miss four people.

I make connections with people.

Jenica is also an entrepreneur who has launched her own eyelash company.

I had to give it a shot myself.

She is also a licensed CNA and medical assistant.

Now, while she may be too young to officially work in these positions, that doesn't prevent her from helping others.

Jenica volunteers at local retirement homes providing support to the elderly because she believes it's important for them to feel loved and valued, which is helping others see the smile on their face as saying that they're happy that someone is listening to them.

Someone is just taking in what they're saying.

Whether uses helping them wash their face, just seeing that they feel themselves, they feel feel valued, important, like more like themselves.

They feel loved.

And I like that.

I like to see that.

And just like her own foster mother, Jenica also wants to foster kids of her own.

One day, another avenue to share with others the love in her heart and to prevent them from feeling the same pain she felt from her past experiences.

After hearing all of Jenica story, I asked nominator Michelle Lewis what she wanted to share most about Jenica.

Her story is one that anyone who is going through hardship or who is experiencing trouble, can really realize that you had the power to write your own story.

That you natural circumstances.

That you're bigger than your circumstances because she embodies that in every single way.

Jenica is a strong, bold person, even though she's quiet.

She speaks so many values and I'm so proud of her.

I am Silicon Valley and I am a young hero.

Delayed but not denied.

In everything that you do.

You may face setbacks, but always remember that makes for a greater impact.

Introducing young hero number four, Jared Lane.

Jared is an exceptional young leader known for his resilience, ambition, and commitment to serving as a role model for future generations.

Don't want to have kids, and I want my kids to look back at their dad and see that in high school and in college, that he has made an impact.

And I want them to strive to be like me, and I want to make sure that their life is set up for success.

I'm still going to make sure that they have to work hard like I did, but I want them to kind of have an example of, you know, you should be better than me when they grow up.

A distinguished student at West Feliciana High School, Jared has upheld a 4.0 GPA while thriving in academics, sports and several other extra curricular activities.

I'm on the cross country team at my school.

I'm mentor of Theta, the YMCA Youth and Government talented Theater.

We just wrapped up our legally Blond musical.

I'm in student council, I'm the vice president, and I'm raising money for cancer research in the Pelican State through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I am a junior board member on the Saint Francisville Area Foundation.

I'm actually the youngest member in its 25 year existence.

I'm also a mentor for the Mob Academy in Baton Rouge, which helps at risk students identify a plan for the future, whether that's entrepreneurship, technical college or a four year university, or just going straight into the workforce.

Besides his academic endeavors, Jared is a changemaker with a deep passion for helping others and embracing entrepreneurship.

But Jared's drive and passion were put to the test when his family's home was consumed by fire just a few years ago.

Jarrett recalls being stricken with fear, but he knew he needed to act quickly.

That's not this burning smell.

And I knew it wasn't the fish because I just placed it in the oil.

I peeked out of my kitchen window and I just saw this bright orange glow.

So I ran out my kitchen onto our patio, and I just saw the side of our house on fire.

I was kind of shocked in the moment.

It felt like a dream, so I ran back inside.

I loaded my parents.

Me and my dad tried to put out the fire, but our main waterline was busted due to the heat of the fire.

It kind of felt like, you know, we were defeated, felt very hopeless.

But you just kind of have to get through it and always remember your end goal.

And it was his end goal that fulfilled his determination to overcome his present circumstances, while keeping his focus on the prize of a successful future.

I'd want to attend LSU always say I'll go to Stanford if they give me a full ride, but I really don't want to leave my home state.

I want to major in mass communications on the three plus three pre-law program at LSU, and hopefully become a medical malpractice and personal injury lawyer.

I'm Jared Lane, and I'm a young Cairo.

Luke 631 we want to others, as you would like them to do to you.

Meet Mateo Guerrero, a young man who truly embodies the essence of a young hero.

For a second, I was wondering, you know, like who?

Like who nominated me?

Why did they nominate me?

But then I look back on my whole life, and I was like, my whole life is.

While in elementary, Mateo has shown a profound dedication to service.

Throughout his high school experience, accumulating over 275 community service hours, he regularly volunteers at local events in Bossier City and dedicates his time to church activities like Vacation Bible School, mission fairs, mission trips, and more.

You know, one of my biggest assets, I guess I have is being able to put others before myself.

I'm going to the National Guard and I feel like that's a big part of service as well.

You know, I've done over 270, 275 hours of community service.

I just always like to put my heart, put others for myself and just to see my impact on everyone around the world.

It just, you know, it warms up my heart.

I don't even have to motivate him.

He just most of you can hear it and use it as a coach.

We say that a lot.

Yeah, it and it.

What is it?

I don't know.

Yeah.

He just he got it.

Yeah.

Like he knows what to do in all situations.

Yeah.

He knows how to talk to people.

He knows how to get along with you.

And he just gets it like that.

And that's a gift.

And that's.

That's a gift from God.

Now, that was head basketball coach Justin Collins, who's been mentoring Mateo since his freshman year.

He notes that he's watched Mateo grow into not just an exceptional player on the court, but also a remark able leader and outstanding person.

Coach Collins emphasizes that students like Mateo are rare and are hard to come by, while Coach Collins will feel the absence of Mateo strong presence on the team and servant's heart.

No one will feel it more than his former algebra teacher and mother, Cecilia Guerrero.

I will call his name at graduation, and in my mind I'll start the countdown of 11 days and I'm not going to cry.

I promised him, I said, Mateo.

It was the first thing I think was he was preseason football player of the year, and the same week he got homecoming king and he was like, mom, don't cry.

And I said, I'm not going to cry till May.

But I know in my mind I'm going to start that countdown of I have 11 days till my baby leaves.

After graduation, Mateo enlisted in the Army National Guard and is set to leave for basic training in Missouri as part of his commitment to service.

Although mom Guerrero feels a sense of sadness watching her young hero leave home, she believes he will have an even greater influence in the world.

It's this feeling of the greatest pride that I've ever felt in my life to say that my son is going to be in the Louisiana Army National Guard, that he's going to take part of the ROTC program and be commissioned as an officer, like the greatest pride ever, mixed with the greatest heartache I've ever felt because he's leaving.

It scares me.

I expect always, always excellence.

And the best he can be.

I expect that he's going to get his college degree and I'm hoping a master's, so that is a hope.

Let me expect it.

But, expect that whatever he does, he'll be great.

I expect that he will move up in the ranks of the Louisiana Army National Guard.

And one thing that I've really prayed for, and I expect because I believe that God is faithful, is that Mateo is going to change lives.

I am with Eric Guerrero, and I'm a young hero.

Do everything in love.

First Corinthians 1614.

Meet Gabrielle Gabby Essex, our final 2025 Louisiana Anna young hero.

Gabby is often described as someone who leads with her heart, which has allowed her to excel far beyond what she could have ever imagined.

However, in her mind, it was just the right thing to do.

I've came from such a loving, like a loving family, like I was raised and full of love.

So I want to demonstrate that to my friends, my family, strangers, anybody that I can to show them like I'm the vessel of love to you from anyone.

This quality is what inspired her former teacher, Paula Callander, to nominate her as a young hero this year.

I taught Gabby, when she was younger and taught her in biology and just knowing her, from our first meeting, you just instinctively know that this is a person who is going to do great things.

She's always had a dynamic personality.

She's always had a very can do attitude.

And not only that, but she has a compassion about her that's just very unique.

And Gabby's principal, Micah Coleman, couldn't agree more.

He says that Gabby is a great influence on her peers, and was not surprised when he learned of her nomination.

Nothing surprises me that happens positive for Gabby.

She has that type of infectious personality.

She's just a go getter.

She's one of those people that just seems to make things happen.

When you're interested in serving other people and trying to better those around you, good things seem to happen for you as well.

Gabby just seems to be in those places, at all the right times, and she creates that for herself.

She doesn't do it selfishly, but naturally, those things occur whenever she's around.

And Principal Coleman was right.

Gabby selflessly dedicates her time to several activities around the school and within her community, which keeps her calendar full.

On Wednesdays, I teach a pre-K class for my Catholic church, which is crazy.

Okay.

And the first internship at our local hospital in Ramsey.

But I also volunteer at the hospital in the summer as well.

So there's just a few things that I do.

Yeah.

Now, that was not a lot because that was yeah, the list goes on.

Yeah.

It's just me and humble over here at Louisiana State officer of Hosa, the vice president of region one.

So what is Hosa?

Hosa is due to health professionals.

It basically is the organization led by students in.

It navigates them in the right way for their path to health care.

It gives them workshops.

It gives them the resources they need to get in contact with other health professionals and really connects being what they need to know about being in health care.

And speaking of health care, Gabby aspires to work in the industry and is enrolled at Northwestern State University to attend in the fall and major in nursing.

That's one of the main things in health care.

I'm like, yea, with people at their most vulnerable, lowest moment.

So you have to be that kind of light in their room to help them get up at dawn.

Feel way better, but it doesn't stop there.

Gabby has recently started a nonprofit organization designed to help the people in her local community that needed most.

My nonprofit that I'm starting during the summer is going to be centered around community based help.

I mean, we're going to give back to the community, whether it's backpack drives, whether it's giving pizza parties to schools, building to middle schools, etc.

so it's basically just getting kids like me that are in high school or junior high involved in their community to take care of each other.

And this young hero is determined to make the world a better place for everyone she meets.

And is truly admirable.

I am Gabriel Essex and I am the young hero.

What inspiring stories.

LPB celebrated the 2025 Young Heroes on the Louisiana Young Heroes Day.

They started the day at our station with breakfast and introductions.

Then they got to meet Ziggy from Ziggy's Art adventure and tour our studios.

Some even practice delivering the news with my co-anchor Karen Magloire.

They were then off to LSU, where they got a behind the scenes tour of LSU football operations, including a photo op at Tiger Stadium.

Next, they toured Louisiana's old state capital, followed by lunch at the River Center library, where they got a bundle of surprise gifts and official statements from Governor Landry at the state Capitol.

They were recognized by representatives who proclaimed April 28th as Louisiana Young Heroes Day.

The day concluded with the photo op atop the state capitol.

What a great day!

Congratulations to all of our inspiring young heroes.

We want to thank everyone involved for making the Louisiana Young Heroes program possible, including our sponsors and Young Heroes Advisory Committee.

And thank you for joining us for LPB.

I'm Dorothy Wilson.

The 2025 Louisiana Young Heroes Program is made possible through the generous support of our presenting sponsors, the Gail and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation.

Fishman, Haygood, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, providing education, help to students benefits our community and state.

The library offers live online tutoring through homework, Louisiana registration, and information at ABP.

AL.com slash homework help with thanks to our title sponsor.

Every community has a story.

Ours began over 105 years ago.

From a simple belief that great coffee has the power to bring people together, one cup at a time.

Community coffee community in every cup.

Since 1919, with additional support from the U.S. Army Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion, Demko and McDonald's with the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting and viewers like you, thank you.