One of the most overused and under appreciated descriptions in the modern education and sports world is “student athlete.”

On too many occasions when it comes to the adulation of the young men and women described as student athletes, there is less made about the “student” and much more said about the “athlete.”

The WWL-TV A+ Athletes recognition is a proactive approach to slide some recognition to those young men and women who sacrifice in the classroom and training fields to excel in academics and sports.

The River Parishes, with their continued sporting excellence, were certainly well represented in the most recent A+ Athletes recognitions.

Jeffrey Millet of St. Charles Catholic High School and Jacob Venus of Riverside Academy were honored, as well as Lutcher High School’s Cameron Waguespack and Destrehan High School’s Randy Harvey, as A+ athletes for the 2014-2015 school year.

An interview with Millet will air on the 10 p.m. WWL news Saturday and on “Fourth Down on Four” at 10:35 p.m. Sunday.

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.

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.

Millet and Venus, who each were featured in L’OBSERVATEUR’s “Looks Bright” spotlight Saturday, are producing stellar careers in and out of the classrooms of St. John the Baptist Parish.

Their successes in everything from football and basketball to Beta Club and Big Brother/Big Sister programs define the teenagers as true student athletes and role models.

Authentic student athletes are worth the praise heaped on them, especially when the success is mirrored between sports and academics, as is with the cases of Millet, Venus, Waguespack and Harvey.

Their examples provide much to cheer for.