MONTEREY — Working in the medical field requires hard work, intense training and dedication, and 10-year-old Rebekah Sims said she can’t wait to begin that whole process.

“I want to be a radiologist,” Sims said. “I have always wanted to go into the medical field and help people out.”

The Monterey High School student recently won Concordia Parish fifth-grade Student of the Year, and with grades like hers, medical school is just a few more years of studying away.

“I only get As,” she said. “I do a lot of homework and studying to make sure I do well.”

Sims said she always remembers to do her homework because her mom is always there to remind her.

“My mom always makes me do my homework,” she said. “Both my parents are always a big help, and they are the main reason I was able to win student of the year.”

Sims said she was very excited when she found out she won the award, and she can’t wait to compete for fifth-grade student of the year for the state.

“I want to win that really bad,” she said.

Sims said she got the award by always trying her hardest and always doing the work, especially in her two favorite subjects, science and math.

“I really like math. It is a lot of fun, and I have a really great teacher helping me,” she said. “Science is exciting. I love learn to about nature.”

While radiology may be her future job of choice, Sims’ love of helping others extends beyond her future career as she and her mom go to the Manna House in Alexandria, La., to help others.

“It is a lot of fun. We get to cook food, and I get to help pass it out,” she said. “We bring clothes for them. It is just a great time.”

Sims does more than help others. She also enjoys playing the piano.

“I just started playing,” she said. “I played in the Christmas play this year, and I want to try and get really good at it.”

Sims is also a member of 4-H and the D.A.R.E. program, and she said she loves to stay active.

“I play softball and basketball too,” she said. “I play shortstop and pitcher in softball, and I practice it a lot during the summer.”

Sims said she hopes she is nominated for student of the year again in eighth grade, the next year the award is given, and also left some words of advice for future students who want to win the award.

“I just want to tell them to work hard, to try and make good grades and study hard,” she said. “And one day, they may be student of the year.”

Rebekah is the daughter of Alesa and Kevin Sims.