Score one for Washington Parish.

During these tough times with our public school systems, it’s refreshing to see a student break from the norm and achieve lofty goals for his or herself.

Franklinton High School freshman Katherine Haik is one of those high achievers.

She was recently crowned Miss Louisiana Teen USA at a pageant at Lafayette’s Heymann Performing Arts Center. She became the youngest contestant to ever win the pageant.

We congratulate Miss Haik on her crowning achievement. She set a high bar for others to follow.

Her accomplishment is an example of just what students can accomplish when they set their mind to do something. Winning a pageant such as that demonstrates determination, drive and the will to succeed with no excuses for failure. She had to rely on her communication skills to win, and she did just that.

Haik is certainly a shining example of what students can do no matter what corner of the world they come from. It’s a good bet many of her classmates at the school would like to follow in her footsteps.

Though only 14 years old, she is one of the more athletic students in school. She plays basketball and softball and is in a number of school clubs and organizations. She is also a competitive dancer and wants to enter the medical field after high school.

Again, we congratulate Miss Haik on a job well done.

And we wish her luck as she competes in the next step of Miss Teen USA competition next summer.