Looks Bright: SCC’s April Bourlet collects 100+ service hours per year

Published 12:18 am Saturday, December 8, 2018

LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic senior April Bourlet goes far beyond earning 15 service hours as required by her religion class, opting to dedicate 100 or more hours of her time to volunteer work each year.

Bourlet’s summers are spent working with children at Vacation Bible School. In the fall, she organizes World Youth Day for young Catholics in the New Orleans region and hosts events for St. Charles Parish Special Olympics athletes.

This winter, she’s gearing up to cook and serve meals to the underprivileged population of New Orleans, to be followed up with volunteer work at Abbey Youth Fest and outreach to local schools in the spring.

April’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; last month, she was awarded a member-at-large position to represent the entire Archdiocese of New Orleans through her Teen Cross service group.

“I don’t do service to get any awards,” Bourlet said. “I do it because of the joy I see on people’s faces when you give of your time. It’s really inspiring to me. This year, I’m striving to get even more service hours.”

April Bourlet helps her school as a Eucharist minister and SCC student ambassador.

Working with the Special Olympics in Beta Club is one of Bourlet’s favorite activities. “We go to events such as their national bowling league, and this year we hosted a Halloween event where they dressed up in costumes,” Bourlet said.

Bourlet also enjoys leading local elementary and middle school students on retreats. She reminds younger children to never be ashamed of their love for God while helping older children prepare to transition to high school.

Senior counselor Suzy Bologna said Bourlet is well known for the desserts she and her mother bake and bring to school.

Beyond providing sweet treats, Bourlet is known for her heart of gold, intelligence and humble nature.

“April is the real deal,” Bologna said. “She’s genuine; selfless. She has fabulous time management skills. People look at all she’s done and ask how it’s possible to do that and still carry an academic load. We consider her an asset. When she leaves St. Charles Catholic, there will be a void.”

Bourlet has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career, with perfect attendance the past two years.

When she graduates next semester, Bourlet will have earned dual enrollment credit for six college courses.

Though she hasn’t decided on a college yet, she was one of two graduating seniors to have contributed to St. Charles Catholic’s wall of scholarship offers as of late last week.

“I’m looking at schools where I can dual major in chemical and electrical engineering,” Bourlet said.

“I really like problem solving by taking challenges and putting them in a new direction. I strive to be like the intelligent engineers in my family.”

Bourlet’s love for algebra inspired her to join Mu Alpha Theta, where she serves as president.

She’s also a member of Science Club, French Club, Student Council and National Society of High School Scholars.

When she’s not serving as a Eucharist minister or SCC student ambassador, Bourlet can be found playing volleyball in the fall and tennis in the spring.

Principal Andrew Cupit said Bourlet is a role model to all students.

“She embodies what we hope all SCC students are,” Cupit said. “She lives her faith fully each and every day and strives to be the best she can be.”

Bourlet is the daughter of Brett and Terry Bourlet of LaPlace. Her grandmother, Evelyn Scallen, inspires her with unfailing faith.