As a junior at Walker High School, Autumn Herring has taken on several leadership roles, including the Service Learning Chairwoman of Louisiana 4-H Citizenship Board and a junior docent at the LSU Rural Life Museum. 

She recently won the National WWII Museum’s prestigious Billy Michal Student Leadership Award for her service and dedication to her community. Inspired by the young Billy Michal whose small contribution to the war effort made a big difference, the award (sponsored by Hancock-Whitney Bank) recognizes students that demonstrate the American spirit of leadership, teamwork, service, generosity, and perseverance. 

Autumn has dedicated much of her time to advocating for mental health awareness and teaching children about the history of Louisiana. At the Rural Life Apprentice Camp, she teaches children about beeswax, blacksmithing, and quill pen writing. 

Her favorite subject is English, and she plans to go to LSU and have a joint degree in English and Law. “The smallest actions you take are going to be the ones that make the biggest difference,” Autumn says. “Billy Michal didn’t know why he deserved to have an award named after him, but, really, he had an immense impact on the world around him. People often don’t know what they are capable of. We have to work together to make an impact, even if we do not think that impact is big enough.” 

Truly, Autumn Herring is a natural leader, a local role model, and One Amazing Kid. ■