Vermilion Parish Student of the Year: Kaplan High’s Wise driven by service

KAPLAN — Coeyn Wise doesn’t give himself too much downtime in a good way.
That’s one of the things about Wise, a senior at Kaplan High, that helped propel him to Vermilion Parish High School Student of the Year. The Vermilion Parish School System made the announcement late last week.
“It is an absolute honor,” Wise said. “It was amazing to be KHS Student of the Year, but going to the next level and competing with the caliber of students as I did was just crazy. The idea that the Student of the Year Committee has put their faith and the full backing of Vermilion Parish into me is a feeling I can’t explain. 
“I hope to represent my parish and my community as well as possible.”
Wise, who plans to enlist in the Navy after graduation, already does that through all his endeavors, both inside and outside school. He attended Louisiana Boys State, where peers elected him governor. Wise has worked closely with Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White to create a Youth Advisory Committee. That is all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and his envelopment BETA, FFA, and Student Council. 
“Plus, I attend all the school board meetings (excluding the most recent one, which landed on my 18th birthday),” Wise said. “I really don’t stop, and I think that is what pushed me over the edge for this honor.”
While he does work with groups throughout the parish, Wise couldn’t be prouder to represent his hometown.
“I will always bleed Black and Gold,” Wise said. “Kaplan is the strongest community, and I am so proud to be a part of it. The community has always been there for my family and me in our times of need, and I am so honored to be able to give back to my school and community by representing them. Everything goes back to my community, and I will never be able to truly express the gratitude, appreciation, and love I have for Kaplan and Kaplan High. Once a Pirate, always a Pirate.”
Wise said his win reflects, in many ways, the great things happening at Kaplan High.
“I love our parish, and that includes every school in the parish,” Wise said. “However, I feel like Kaplan is overlooked very frequently. (KHS Principal) Coach Shay (Herpin) once had the motto of ‘Just Kaplan’ because that’s what everyone thought about us, but in my opinion, since he has become the captain of our ship, he has steered us clear of tidal waves and whirlpools and helped produce some of the hardest working students, most passionate teachers, strongest athletes, as well as two parish students of the year and a Governor of the American Legions Louisiana Boys State. 
“Kaplan is succeeding, and we have been succeeding for a while; I am glad that any achievement I make brings back some recognition to the school because without the strong support and community, we have at KHS, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my full potential.”
Wise will take this honor and move on to the next level of the Student of the Year competition.
“The next step is state,” Wise said, “and that is a process I’m not too familiar with, but I will go into it with the same vigor and mindset that I went into this entire thing. I want to represent and give back to my community. I will always be myself and promote my hard work and dedication values. I hope my resume, achievements, accomplishments, and personality represent the fine stock that Vermilion Parish has to offer the state as their nominee for Student of the Year.”