At just 16 years old, Jessica Anderson has lived a life that could already fill a memoir. And this spring, her story will take its rightful place in the spotlight as she is honored by Louisiana Public Broadcasting as a 2025 Louisiana Young Hero — one of the most prestigious recognitions a student can receive in our state.

But make no mistake: this is not a story of easy success. This is a story of strength, sacrifice, and the quiet, constant courage it takes to rebuild a life in a new place — and still have the heart to give back.

Each year, LPB’s Louisiana Young Heroes program honors a small group of students who exemplify the very best of what young people can be. These are students who excel academically, serve their communities selflessly, overcome personal adversity, and rise above with character that inspires others to do the same. The awards ceremony, held this year on Monday, April 28, 2025, is more than just a celebration — it's a statewide moment of recognition for the kind of leadership we need more of: empathetic, resilient, and quietly transformative.

Jessica’s story begins in Haiti, where she lost her mother at the age of two. Her father, facing unimaginable hardship, placed Jessica and her sister in the care of a missionary named Megan Boudreaux, who would become their adoptive mother and founder of the nonprofit Respire Haiti — a community hub offering education, health care, and nutrition for children in need. Jessica’s early years were shaped by service, multilingual education, and an unwavering sense of community despite the challenges around her.

A temporary visit to the U.S. in 2020 turned into something permanent when the COVID-19 pandemic halted international travel. With grace and grit, Jessica adapted once again — this time to life in Lafayette Parish. She has called Youngsville home for the past three years, becoming not just a student at Southside High School, but a leader among leaders.

Her résumé reads like someone twice her age: National Honor Society, Beta Club, Southside Ambassador, Brent Henley Youth Leadership graduate, and a member of the Mayor-President’s Youth Advisory Council. Her latest initiative? Helping her committee pass a resolution to recognize homelessness in Lafayette Parish and organize parish-wide drives to support Catholic Charities of Acadiana.

These achievements, however, are not what make Jessica a hero. It’s her mindset. Her steadfast belief that community is not just where you live, but how you live with others. That leadership isn’t about being loud, but about being consistent. That heroism isn't a single moment — it’s a series of small, deliberate choices that add up to a life of impact.

At Southside High, she is also a trusted peer — someone classmates can turn to, someone who listens, leads, and lifts others up. She’s even found time to compete with the school’s powerlifting team, proving that strength — both physical and emotional — is something she carries naturally.

Jessica's love for Haiti still runs deep. Her story is proof that it’s possible to honor your past while still building a future. That even when the world changes your path, you can walk it with purpose, grace, and gratitude. She is, in every sense, a young hero.

And Lafayette Parish is lucky to have her.

When Jessica takes the stage on April 28 to accept her honor, she won’t just be representing Southside High or the city of Youngsville. She’ll be representing what it means to be a global citizen — someone who knows that hardship can plant the seeds of service, and that leadership, at its core, is rooted in love.

Congratulations, Jessica. Thank you for showing us what it means to lead with both strength and heart.