Looks Bright: LaPlace teen builds fence at therapeutic riding center

Published 11:55 pm Friday, January 16, 2015

By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A LaPlace teenager involved in scouting for 11 years earned the highest rank award in scouting at the age of 16, all while helping out a local non-profit organization in the process.

Patrick Angelette, son of Lowell and Tricia Angelette of LaPlace, was recently honored at LaPlace’s Boy Scout Troop 312’s Court of Honor, held to celebrate his Eagle Scout accomplishment.

“Scouting has taught me useful skills that I will be able to use throughout my life, such as leadership, responsibility and a trust in God that He will provide,” Angelette said, adding his favorite scouting badges to earn included small boat sailing, lifesaving, shotgun, rifle, climbing and horsemanship.

Angelette — who started in Cub Scouts in first grade and Boy Scouts in fifth grade — attended elementary school at St. Joan of Arc in LaPlace. Presently he is a 17-year-old junior maintaining high honor status and a 4.0 GPA at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans. Angelette is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta at Holy Cross, and is also on the lacrosse, swimming and tennis teams.

Angelette — who has been an altar server since fourth grade at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church — said his favorite scouting trip was to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he got to go whitewater rafting and spelunking.

When it came time to decide on his Eagle Scout project, Angelette didn’t have to look outside of St. John the Baptist Parish for an organization in need of a helping hand.

His project benefited The Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center, where he had volunteered before to fulfill a service hours project for school.

The GNOTRC provides horse-assisted therapy and activities to children and adults with disabilities. Angelette organized members of his Boy Scout troop, along with members of the LaPlace Lions Club, to replace a pasture fence at the center that was damaged by Hurricane Isaac.

“My Eagle project gave me a true sense of accomplishment knowing that I helped with a facility that helps people that truly need it,” Angelette said.

To complete the project, Angelette made four trips to the center to gather all necessary facts, figures and information for the project and put up the final product.

Angelette said to see the finished project, and how it was going to help the center and the people it serves, was well worth the time and effort involved.

Angelette said he plans to stay an active member with Troop 312 to help out with younger scouts. He said he intends to apply to the United States Naval Academy and Louisiana State University, and has his sights set on studying to become a lawyer.