North Oaks Sports Medicine Recognizes November Student-Athletes

North Oaks Sports Medicine athletic trainers have joined with North Oaks Physician Group orthopedic surgeons to select Steve Allen, Amy Arceneaux, Jordan Lemon and Baylie Stears as Student-Athletes of the Month for November.

Steve Allen is a senior attending Ponchatoula High School. Allen is a 4-year offensive tackle for the Green Wave who has started in 35 consecutive varsity games. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and was recognized as “Scholar Athlete of the Week” on the “Friday Night Football” TV show produced by WGNO ABC Channel 26 for week 4 of this year’s high school football season.

“Steve is a role model for younger players and leads by example,” notes Allen’s head football coach, Hank Tierney. “He is always on time for practices and meetings and works hard.”

He is the son of Bridget and Steven Allen and has been honored as a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association All-State Academic Team and All-District First Team.

From left: Ponchatoula High Head Football Coach Hank Tierney, North Oaks Sports Medicine Supervisor Jeff Schmitt, Steven Allen and North Oaks Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Jonathan Gantt.

Amy Arceneaux is a 2-year junior varsity volleyball player at Hammond High Magnet School chosen to serve as captain this year by her teammates. So far this season, Amy has netted 51 kills, 8 service aces and 80 digs as an outside hitter. She has been on the “A Honor Roll” for the past 2 years and has a 4.0 GPA. She is enrolled in the high school’s medical magnet program and is CPR-certified. She also belongs to the Beta Club and National Honor Society and serves as secretary of the Interact Club.

“Amy is driven to improve every day, and she is never satisfied with her last performance. She is one of the most disciplined players I have ever coached, and I believe that she just has a raw talent for the sport of volleyball,” observes Head Coach Amber Babin.

Amy is the daughter of Josie and Dennis Arceneaux.

From left: North Oaks Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Kerrin Sitman, Hammond High Head Volleyball Coach Amber Babin, Amy Arceneaux, North Oaks Sports Medicine Supervisor Jeff Schmitt and Hammond High Interim Principal Dr. Beth Moulds.

Jordan Lemon is a sophomore student at Walker High School with a 4.0 GPA. Lemon has belonged to the Wildcats’ cross country team for 2 years and also belongs to the school’s track and soccer teams.

Lemon was named to the All-Parish Cross Country team, running 3 miles with a time of 17 minutes and 44 seconds. He is the son of Misty and Harold Huffman and is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Lemon’s Coach, Will Silk, notes that he often stays after practice to “run an extra mile,” and as a sophomore, he’s already become role model for other athletes. “He is the model student. He does an outstanding job in the classroom, and his extraordinary work ethic carries over to athletics,” he adds.

From left: North Oaks Sports Medicine Supervisor Jeff Schmitt, Jordan Lemon, Walker High Head Cross Country Coach Will Silk and North Oaks Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Nate Borget.

Baylie Stears, the daughter of Sherry and Todd Stears, is a senior at Walker High School with a 3.94 GPA. A guard for the Wildcats’ basketball team all 4 years of high school, Stears recently committed to play for Southeastern Louisiana University Lady Lions next year and is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Last year, Stears was recognized as an all-district and all-parish player on a team that went 31-5 and reached the state quarterfinals.

Her Coach Korey Arnold says, “She is always available to help the younger players out who may be having trouble picking up something new. She is an active member in the community and an all-around great role model.”

From left: North Oaks Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Nate Borget, Baylie Stears, Walker High Head Girls Basketball Coach Korey Arnold and North Oaks Sports Medicine Supervisor Jeff Schmitt.

Student-athletes are nominated by principals, coaches and athletic directors from high schools in Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes each month during the academic year. Candidates must: maintain a 3.0 GPA or better; excel in athletic competition; demonstrate respect for coaches, teammates, officials, teachers and other students and be active in school and or community organizations.

In May, North Oaks Sports Medicine staff will select male and female “Student-Athletes of the Year” from all monthly honorees for each parish.

Nominations Forms are available online here and can be requested from North Oaks Sports Medicine at (985) 230-5248.