Top graduates: Patterson High

Patterson High has named the two top graduates who will lead 2025’s seniors at the 7 p.m. Friday graduation ceremony at the school.
The top graduates are:

Dru Blakeman
Dru Blakeman is the daughter of Joseph and Karyn Blakeman. During high school, she was involved in BETA Club, Student Council, the Timberland Regiment Band, the Senior Mentor program and Quiz bowl, where she served as captain her senior year.
Her accomplishments include graduating Summa Cum Laude while challenging herself with honors classes and dual enrollment classes. She also achieved a personal goal of earning a 31 ACT Superscore, and was recognized as a St. Mary Parish ACT Hall of Fame member. She was awarded the highest GPA for English II and English III LSU dual enrollment and is ranked No. 1 in the Patterson High School class of 2025. In 2024 she advanced to the District Literary Rally in English III and qualified for state.
Dru is proud to be part of the St. Mary Parish gifted program, talented art program, and talented theatre program. She received numerous PHS Crackerjack awards and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” among her peers. She was awarded the KC Gladys Viator Memorial Scholarship, the Felterman Family Memorial Scholarship, and a full-ride academic scholarship package from Northwestern State University.
In the fall, Dru plans to attend the Louisiana Scholars College at Northwestern State University where she will double-major in psychology and philosophy with a concentration in pre-law with the goal of becoming an attorney.

Brooklyn Stelly
Brooklyn Stelly is the daughter of Shane and Tracy Stelly. During high school, Brooklyn has served as her class president for the past two years and was involved in BETA, Student Council, 4-H, senior mentor, track, power-lifting, cheerleading, volleyball and Patterson High School’s new STEM club.
Brooklyn has participated in multiple community service events and was picked out of the school to attend LYS at LSU for one week. She has also completed the AHEK summer program for future medical field pursuers.
Along with being at the top of her class, Brooklyn has taken six dual enrollment courses earning her a good amount of college credit. Brooklyn was recently crowned 2025 prom.
After High School she will be attending Fletcher Technical Community College for cardiovascular sonography.