ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / September 27, 2000

LAPLACE – Joshua Eichhorn doesn’t lead a normal life of your typical 13-year- old.

How many teens do you know who star in musicals and sing before Pope John Paul II? That’s what Josh does in his off time when he isn’t studying hard at St. Joanof Arc School in LaPlace.

“I really don’t have much time to relax,” admitted the seventh-grader. “Fivedays a week I’m rehearsing with the St. Louis Cathedral choir.”When Josh does have some down time he spends it playing with his computer or doing his homework. If he can manage it he tries to work in soccer into hisbusy schedule.

Last year he and the St. Louis Cathedral choir had the privilege of singing forthe pope at the Vatican for a Mass at St. Peter’s Bascillica. Members alsospent a week touring Rome and Italy.

“It was really a good experience,” said Josh of the trip.

Josh’s big dream is to go into entertainment as a career, and he is well on his way to realizing his ambition. Last summer he played the title role in the St.John Theatre’s production of “Oliver!”. Before that he was in “The King and I.”Right now he is starring in “Star Spangled Salute” at Rivertown Repertory.

And if that isn’t enough, on Oct. 7 he begins a run playing Bud in “TheCanterville Ghost” at the St. John Theatre in Reserve. The play runs Oct. 7-8and again on Oct. 14-15.Right now Josh has his sights set on going to Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, where he plans to continue his acting career.

“I really like to entertain people and hear the clapping,” said Josh.

After high school Josh plans to major in drama at a college, “somewhere in Florida.”He said, “My career goals are either to be an actor or to run Disneyworld.”

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