St. Mary student, principal receive honors

St. Mary Parish schools have two reasons to celebrate.
The system learned Friday that Morgan City High senior Duc Bui has been named a National Merit Scholarship recipient, one of 7,000-8,500 across the country.
And Patterson Junior High Principal Lauren Rentrop is a semifinalist in the state Principal of the Year program.
A National Merit Scholar “is a high-achieving high school student who earns top scores on the PSAT/NMSQT (top [about] 0.5% per state) and meets rigorous academic requirements to win a scholarship,” according to the program’s website.
“Roughly 1.6 million juniors enter annually, with 15,000–16,000 becoming Finalists and about 8,500 winning scholarships, making it a highly prestigious award for college admissions and funding.”
Bui, raised in a home where English was not spoken, made news last year when he scored a perfect 36 on his ACT. 
“Duc’s dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence exemplify the very best of St. Mary Parish students,” the school system said in a Facebook post. “His success is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, focus, and a passion for learning.”
The School Board named Rentrop to be principal at Patterson Junior High in 2019. She had served as assistant principal at both Patterson Junior High and Hattie Watts Elementary.
The state Department of Education “recognizes Louisiana’s most exceptional teachers and principals through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs,” according to the department website. “These programs celebrate educators who make extraordinary gains with students and serve as models of excellence in their communities.”
“This incredible achievement is a reflection of Mrs. Rentrop’s unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to the success and well-being of every student she serves!” the school system said in a Facebook post. “Her passion for education, her support of teachers and staff, and her meaningful connections with students and families truly exemplify what it means to lead with excellence and heart!”
Rentrop is one of 24 Principal of the Year semifinalists and one of three from the Bayou Region. The others are Melanie Bellamy of Labadieville Elementary School in Assumption Parish and Terez LeBlanc of Houma Junior High School in Terrebonne Parish.
Patterson High School paid tribute to another principal Sunday.
Boosters put a permanent stadium seat and plaque at the school’s football field in memory of Michael Brocato, who was Patterson High’s principal 1988-2008. Brocato died March 10.