I guarantee that the most ardent LSU fans are not familiar with the name Alex Bonnette. He is the son of Gerald and Lynn Bonnette of LaPlace. He graduated from Riverside Academy last year with honors. Alex was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. He didn’t make All-State or even All-District as a football player. He wasn’t a starter on the basketball team.

Alex was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years. He always gave 100 percent to whatever he did. He was kind, polite and a gentleman at all times. He respected all authority and treated all his classmates the way he wanted to be treated.

His parents were tireless volunteer workers at Riverside. His mother graduated from Mississippi State and I’m sure she envisioned Alex attending her alma mater. I’m sure she was a little disappointed when he chose to go to LSU.

I don’t think anyone was more surprised than me, including his parents, when Alex not only tried out for the football team as a walk-on but made it.

I first heard the news about him from two of my grandsons, Kameron and Kane, who attend Riverside. They were both excited for Alex.

Evidently, Alex is living a dream that has become a reality.

Will he be a success as a LSU Tiger football player? That remains to be seen. The one thing for certain, I know that Alex will be a success after graduation with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.