MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / April 14, 2000

EDGARD – Carl Gauthier has been a consistent winner during his four years at West St. John, winning state championships in both football and basketball.Gauthier has been a winner of the field as well, excelling in academics and providing service in both his school and in his community.

Gauthier was recognized this week for those all-around achievements, receiving the Patrick Taylor Foundation Award at the Nokia Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame Banquet held Tuesday at the Hilton Hotel in New Orleans.

Applications for the award were sent out to schools for scholar-athletes.

Thirty-two scholar athletes were originally chosen with that list then parred down to three. Criteria for the $5,000 award was based on leadership,character, grades, ACT score, community service and financial aid. Thescholar-athlete also must not have already had a scholarship to a school in Louisiana.

“It felt great,” Gauthier said of receiving the award. “I was competingagainst all the other schools.”Gauthier said he is planning on attending Nicholls State University in the fall and majoring in chemistry. He is also planning to play both football andbasketball with the Colonels.

Whatever Gauthier decides to go into, West St. John head football coach andathletic director Laury Dupont said he will be successful in it.

“I’m glad he got it,” Dupont said of Gauthier getting the Patrick Taylor award. “He really deserved it. He’s the best overall student-athlete we’veever had at West St. John. He fits the mode. Anything he does, I feel he willbe successful.”Gauthier led the Rams to the Class 2A state title in football in 1998. Thispast season, he was a member of the Class 2A state championship basketball team.

“I really enjoyed it,” Gauthier said of his time at West St. John. “I willremember it the rest of my life. Sports taught me how to be a leader, how tobe a team player. They taught me how to handle clutch situations and how tokeep yourself under control. I learned that even the smallest person orsmallest advice cane help out in any situation.”

RAMS HOLDING BANQUET FOR CHAMPIONS – West St. John is holding anawards banquet for the Class 2A state champion boys’ basketball team, Friday, May 19, in the school’s gym. The public is invited to attend andadmission is free.

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