Looks Bright: Venus, Millet put ‘student’ in student-athlete

Published 11:55 pm Friday, January 2, 2015

By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Two students from St. John the Baptist Parish have been recognized as outstanding high school scholars/athletes and named WWL-TV A+ Athletes for the 2014-2015 school year.

Jeffrey Millet of St. Charles Catholic High School and Jacob Venus of Riverside Academy were honored with the recognition at a December awards ceremony for the unique campaign sponsored by WWL-TV Channel 4, Ronald McDonald House Charities and local McDonald’s owner/operators.

The program recognizes students through a series of 60-second public service announcements set to air on future Channel 4 news broadcasts and on the station’s show, “Fourth Down on Four.”

Students throughout the greater New Orleans area are chosen as A+ Athletes for their scholastic achievement, athletic ability and overall community and school involvement.

Millet, the son of Leandre and Courtney Millet of LaPlace, is a senior at St. Charles Catholic where he participates in football, powerlifting, tennis and basketball.

He was the Most Outstanding French IV Student 2014 and has maintained alpha honor roll throughout his four years at SCC. With a GPA of 4.0 and an ACT score of 30, Millet has school and community achievements that include leading SCC’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes for three years, attending leadership camp, participating in retreat team and attending Louisiana Boys State.

Millet is a member of SCC’s French Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and Science Club.

“My future plans are to attend LSU and major in chemical engineering,” Millet said, adding his time at SCC has been rewarding.

“Being a member of the football team led me to become active in the FCA, which caused me to grow spiritually,” Millet said. “As an FCA leader for three years, I have learned how to lead others in making good choices both on and off the field.

“Playing sports has taught me to be responsible, better organized and more disciplined.”

Millet’s interview will air on the 10 p.m. news Jan. 10 and on “Fourth Down on Four” at 10:35 p.m. Jan. 11.

LaPlace resident Venus, a senior at Riverside, attended Louisiana Boys State alongside Millet.

Venus, the son of Charles Venus, plays football, basketball and baseball at Riverside. He is a three-year recipient of the school’s Scholastic Athletic Achievement Honor, as well as a member of Mu Alpha Theta and Rebels in Action, a community service group.

A co-founder of Riverside’s Big Brother/Big Sister program, Venus also serves as senior class president and was the football team captain this year. He has a GPA of 4.26 on a 5.0 scale.

“In the three years I have known Jake, he has consistently represented the characteristics that we identify as being associated with men of honor, responsibility, accountability, toughness and family,” Chris Lachney, Riverside teacher and assistant football coach said.

“I have been one of Jake’s football coaches for the past three years, as well as worked with him extensively through our strength and conditioning program at school. Jake is one of the toughest, hardest-working athletes I have ever coached.”

Lachney said Venus is a model student, athlete and all around person.

Venus’ interview will air on the 10 p.m. news Jan. 17 and on “Fourth Down on Four” at 10:35 p.m. Jan. 18.

Lutcher High School’s Cameron Waguespack and Destrehan High School’s Randy Harvey were also chosen as A+ athletes for the 2014-2015 school year.

Waguespack’s interview will air on the 10 p.m. news Jan. 31 and on “Fourth Down on Four” at 10:35 p.m. Feb. 1, while Harvey’s interview will air on the 10 p.m. news Feb. 21 and on “Fourth Down on Four” at 10:35 p.m. Feb. 22.