Michael Kiral / L’Observateur / May 18, 1998

EDGARD – Attitude was the key word as West St. John honored its athletesat its annual sports banquet in the school cafeteria Monday night.

The school looked back at a year in which the football and boys’ basketball team captured district titles and advanced to the state playoffs. But thefuture was the focus of three former West St. John players who were theguest speakers at the festivities.

Dramar Saul led off by talking about his experiences at Mississippi Valley State University. He talked about dealing with injuries and not gettingdown on yourself when you are not playing.

“Always learn from your mistakes,” Saul, who thanked his coaches, teaches, friends and family for having an influence on his life, said. “Ifyou make mistakes, learn from them.”Ira Jackson, a 1996 graduate of West St. John currently attending NichollsState University, stressed the importance of education.

“The last thing I got free was at West St. John and that was my educationand I appreciate that,” Jackson said. “Once I got to college, I learn it isserious. Life is serious. Seniors, whatever you decide to do, I wish you thebest.”Brandon Dumas is also currently attending Mississippi Valley State. Hesaid the first year he was in college he wanted to go home but is now glad he stuck with it.

“College is all about responsibility,” Dumas said. “Give your best everydaybecause nothing is guaranteed. Enjoy your high school experience becausethere is nothing like it.”Saul, Dumas and Jackson all have one record to be proud of – all three are on the Dean’s List with 3.0 grade point averages or better.Athletes in all sports were honored during the festivities. Certificates oflettermen and participation and senior plaques were given out.

Receiving senior plaques were Kenyatta Boudoin (basketball, track); Arthur Johnson (football, basketball); Donriel Borne (football, track); Adair Alexander (football, basketball, track); Grant Pierre (football); Travelle Gordon (football, baseball); Jason Lewis (football, track); Ryan Weston (football); Mike Sheppard (football); and Ronald Young (football).

The Anthony Miller award, honoring the best all-around senior athlete, were awarded to Adair Alexander and Kenyatta Boudoin. Boudoin alsoreceived the Scholastic award.

In the individual sports, Kip Howard was presented the Most Valuable Attitude award in cross country by coaches Lennix Madere and Elmo Boudreaux who were filling in for head coach Roddy Chiasson.

In volleyball, head coach Germaine Roussel presented Crystal Stipe with the Ram award. Stipe also received a plaque for making the all-districtteam. Felicia Gros and Hillary Howard received senior awards with Howardalso being recognized for making all-district.

Carl Gauthier received the Most Valuable Attitude award in junior varsity football from coach Lester Smith.

Head varsity coach Laury Dupont honored the seniors who never lost a district game in their high school careers. The Rams won the District 9-2A championship this year and advanced to the state semifinals where they lost to the eventual state champion, Ouachita Christian.

Receiving honors for making the all-district team were Adair Alexander (district MVP), Marlon Lewis, Jamar Bailey, Dehaven Duronslet, Brian Lumar, Dominic Harper, Donriel Borne, Arthur Johnson, Torraine Thomas and Ronald Young. Borne, Johnson, Thomas and Young were also honored formaking the all-state team and Lumar for making all-River Parishes and all-metro.

The Ram award went to Alexander, who Dupont called one of the best athletes he has ever had the privilege to coach. Young and Borne shared thebest defensive player award and Ryan Weston received the Most Valuable Attitude award.

In girls’ seventh and eighth grade basketball, Tante Jackson received the Most Valuable Attitude award and Ciarra Borne received the Ram award.

Coy Miller received the Most Valuable Attitude award in boys’ seventh and eighth grade basketball with Prentice Anderson receiving the Ram award.

In boys’ junior varsity basketball, the Ram award went to Carl gauthier and Most Valuable Attitude honors went to Tremaine Nathan.

Kenyatta Boudoin was presented an award for being the Lady Rams’ leading rebounder by girls’ head varsity coach Lester Smith. Crystal Stipe wasawarded the Ram award and also received honors for making the all- district team and being the team’s leading scorer the past two years.

The boys’ basketball team, led by District 9-2A coach of the year Antoine Edwards, captured the district title this past year and advanced to the state regionals. Marlon Jackson was presented with the Ram award andwas also honored for making the all-district and all-River Parishes squads.

Donreil Louis, the River Parishes MVP, was selected as the best offensive player. Louis was also honored for making the all-metro and all-stateteams.

Pendarvas Morris received the best defensive player award and Elijah Jasmine received Most Valuable Attitude honors. Jasmine was alsorecognized for being named the all-District 9-2A most valuable player.

Reshonn Saul received the Most Valuable Attitude award in softball and was also recognized for being named all-district.

In baseball, coach Lennix Madere presented the Ram award to Marlon Lewis. Coaches awards went to Brian Lumar and Dwayne Johnson andTorraine Thomas was selected as the best all-around player.

Donavan Pierre received the Most Valuable Attitude award in boys’ seventh and eighth grade track. Abram Johnson received the Ram award.In girls’ track, Niesha Green, Crystal Stipe and Brandi Bess were honored for making all-district and all-regional, with Stipe being selected as the Outstanding Track Performer. Kenyatta Boudoin was selected as theOutstanding Field Performer and also was recognized for being all- district, all-regional and all-state.

The boys’ track team was recognized for placing second in district and third in regionals. Dehaven Duronslet, Donavan Pierre, Arlando Comminie,Abram Johnson, Rysean Brown and Adair Alexander were recognized for making all-district and all-regional and Jamar Bailey for making all- district.

Comminie received the Most Valuable Attitude award with Outstanding Field and Track honors going to Duronslet and Brown, respectively.

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