This is Us Profile 2019

This is US

Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

A special publication of L’Observateur

This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 1 Visit us online at www.lobservateur.com

PROFILE 2018 PROFILE 2019

CHARTER IS “CHOICE” At Louisiana Premier Charter, students will receive these advantages: • Students enjoy small class sizes and individualized attention that create positive learning experiences • Students participate in intern/mentor programs with educational partners allowing students to gain real-world experience and on the job training with industry professionals • Extracurricular activities include but are not limited to cheerleading, dance team, band, choir, theatre, and numerous school clubs and sporting events.

• Project-based learning provides students the ability to learn teamwork, problem-solving and communication while they use research and de sign skills to complete investigative projects • Technology-assisted instruction allows students the ability to learn computer skills at all grade levels to prepare them for post-secondary and/or career opportunities

To register for 2019-2020 School Year visit www.lapremiercharter.org and fill out the student application.

2 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

Welcome!

Friends,

Welcome to the 2019 Edition of L’Observateur’s Profile publication.

The River Parishes, located in the heart of South Louisiana, offers an exciting creole flavor blended with heritage, culture and unique historical experiences. We are the home of New Orleans Plantation Country – a unique cultural blend that can only be experienced right here in the River Parishes. Getting here is easy, leaving here is hard!

Our charming community is filled with the scent of Creole and Cajun cooking. St. John is known as the “Andouille Capitol of the World” for one reason – you’ll never forget our World-famous Andouille sausage! Our history, cuisine, scenic roadways and culture make us a destination. Our lakes and waterways provide an abundance of fishing and hunting opportunities; the history of antebellum homes for tours and stops, in addition to the vibrant Cajun music will provide you with a culture you’ve never experienced. We offer miles of walking or cycling paths atop the Mississippi River levee or on a nature trail in Garyville for exploration. Check out our famous Swamp Tour and get an up-close view of southern wildlife including the captivating creatures of the swamp – you just may end up holding an alligator!

Did you know we are part of “Hollywood South?” St. John has been a set for many films and television productions – utilizing our St. John Center, plantations, other historical landmarks and many areas throughout our parish. Our St. John Center in LaPlace has served as a Soundstage; offering 26,000 square feet of soundstage in a 42,000 square foot facility. This facility also has served as the backdrop for many community gatherings, weddings, prom parties and more.

The River Parishes has everything you need for a day trip or a weekend stay. We have a wide range of overnight accommodations including Plantation Lodging, Bed & Breakfasts, Hotels and more. Check out the New Orleans Plantation Country Guide for everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip here.

St. John the Baptist Parish and the River Region are economic drivers for our nation’s economy. We are home to the Port of South Louisiana, the largest tonnage port district in the western hemisphere, and house some of the nation’s largest refineries. We are the I-10 connector from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and the entrance to I-55.

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see who’s inside ... table of contents JAYESH “JAY” PATEL stepped foot into a hotel for the first time at 19 years old.

A recent immigrant to the United States from India, he was a busboy at the Mark Hopkins San Francisco hotel.

Today, he is board chairman of prominent family business QHotels, which operates Best Western Inn, Towneplace Suites by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express and Suites and Hampton Inn in LaPlace. ... Page 6 Impressive LSU football signee JOHN EMERY JR. stands 5’11, 202 pounds.

Emery had the spotlight as a senior, never more so than when he re-opened

his recruitment in November.

He didn’t shrink from the crowds of reporters any more than he refused to shrink from the on-field pressure he faced as the offensive centerpiece of a major 5A power in Destrehan, turning in his most prolific season in his final year.

“I always want more, always so hungry,” Emery said. “I’m never satisfied with where I’m at, and I still have a lot of goals I haven’t accomplished yet. It’s what keeps me going.” ... Page 10 MERLYNA VALENTINE found her inspirational speaking voice in the depths of medical adversity as she readjusted to life as a quadruple amputee.

She’s shared her story locally and

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across the nation for the past 10 years, reaching children and adults from all walks of life.

Her favorite keynote presentations, however, are those she delivers to educators.

Valentine is a Lucy native, LaPlace resident and a retired educator of 30 years. ... Page 17 It wasn’t a surprise when JHONTRE GREEN delivered his first sermon at age 13 and became the youngest licensed youth minister in the River Parishes at age 14.

Jhontre, now 19, looked up to great grandfather Arthur Brown, a well-known Sunday school teacher and deacon in St. John the Baptist Parish. Arthur passed his love for God down to Jhontre, with reminders to always stick to

sound doctrine and be mindful of personal connections, because not every friend would have his best interest at heart. ... Page 24 JUSTIN JEFFERSON didn’t see much playing time for the Destrehan Wildcats until his junior season, when the then-155-lb. player converted from quarterback to wide receiver.

The rest is local high school and, now, LSU football history.

As the third sibling in his family to attend LSU, the silky smooth wide receiver is coming off a sophomore campaign that included 54 catches, 875 yards and six touchdowns.

That yardage number more than doubled that of the Tigers’ next best total. ... Page 29

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6 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

Jayesh “Jay” Patel immigrated to the United States, first to San Francisco and eventually and then a mastery of the hospitality industry that resulted in multiple hotel ownership m

builds LaPlace-based into industry leader

ventually to LaPlace, developing an appreciation nership moves and the launch of QHotels.

Determination drives empire that has grown into a second generation force

BY BROOKE ROBICHAUX L’OBSERVATEUR

Jayesh “Jay” Patel was new to America, juggling overloaded semesters of English Second Language and medical technologist courses in San Francisco when he fell in love with the hotel industry.

Jay stepped foot into a hotel for the first time at 19 years old when he was a recent immigrant to the United States from India.

While taking shifts as a busboy at the Mark Hopkins San Francisco hotel after college classes, Jay looked at the head honcho and thought, “He’s sitting in my chair. That should be me.”

Rising to the top isn’t dependent on one’s background or intelligence, according to Jay. It’s a feat of determination.

Flashing forward to 2019, Jay is a 20-year resident of LaPlace and board chairman of prominent family business QHotels, which operates Best Western Inn, Towneplace Suites by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express and Suites and Hampton Inn in LaPlace.

Patel family operations extend much further, to hotels in Houma, Donaldsonville, Lake Charles and beyond.

In late 2014, Jay’s success reached international heights when he was elected Best Western’s board chairman overseeing millionaire owners of 400 Best Western Hotels in 110 coun-

tries.

Jay, 67, was recently recognized for his contributions as a “Pride of India” honoree in his home country.

“Hospitality is a people business,” Jay said. “People drive all day and work all day. When they come here, they want to feel like they’re at home. That comes naturally to me because in India, we have a saying: ‘The guests are the God.’” Growing up in the Indian village of Sisodra, it was imperative for guests to eat on the finest china and receive the best sleeping accommodations.

“People always have things to do, but they still come to your house, so you should respect their time,” Jay said. “The best part is, in America, the guests come to your place and they give you money. That excites me every time. You have a new set of friends to talk to every day. You get a lot more rich just by hearing about people’s experiences and people’s lives.”

The Patel family had humble beginnings in Sisodra, where Jay’s hardworking parents toiled on a 40-acre farm to provide for their three daughters and five sons.

The importance of higher education was instilled from an early age by his parents and grandfather, who believed every child should strive for a college degree.

In the 1960s, Jay and his siblings moved into a single room with their grandfather in the city of Suda to attend school.

Jay was in his second year of college in February 1971, when he, his parents and his younger siblings had an opportunity to immigrate to America through San Francisco.

At the very beginning, Jay slept on the floor of his hotel with his family. For the next four years, he

hardly slept.

Jay was working at the hotel, taking 68 course hours of ESL classes and memorizing information for medical technologist exams in a language he hardly understood.

By his last year of college, he came to a crossroads when he realized he didn’t want to work in the booming medical technology field.

Jay’s heart was in the hotel industry, especially when it involved befriending guests who filtered in night after night, suitcases in hand and endless stories to tell.

He considered dropping out but chose to stick it out for all the time, hard work and sleepless nights he’d already invested.

“I started thinking my children might say one day, ‘Because you’re a foreigner, you couldn’t get a job, and that’s why you went into the hotel business,’” Jay said.

“How many 23- or 24-year-olds think about that? I decided I was going to get a job and then deny it, so at least I could prove that I can get a job.”

The $42,000 medical technologist offer Jay received and denied after graduation still sits in Jay’s safe as proof he built his own destiny and didn’t fall into it by default.

Using $12,000 saved up during college, Jay secured a loan to purchase his first hotel in San Francisco at age 24.

An energy crisis that brought the Southeastern U.S. to the forefront in oil production lured Jay from California. He sold the hotel in San Francisco and bought another in Mississippi before considering how he could compete with some of the biggest hotel brands.

An opportunity to open a Best Western blossomed his career in the 1980s, and the first LaPlace location opened in 1997.

This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 7

River Region supporters attend the Holiday Inn ribbon cutting last fall in LaPlace.

LaPlace was an ideal place to establish a corporate headquarters, not only for its proximity to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but also because it felt a little like home with its warm climate and sugarcane fields.

“I started to like this South of I-10 culture better than northern Louisiana,” Jay said. “Something about it is like the way I grew up in India. It’s not a more commercialized type of place. People talk to their next door neighbors. It’s laidback.”

Family members Kevin Patel and Vimal Patel joined the business to form QHotels. Jay’s son, Vedant Vasanji, joined the team in 2007.

Kevin said he and his brother Jay work in sync like “a right shoe and a left shoe.”

“It takes resiliency, patience and understanding each other as a team member to work in a family business, or any business,” Kevin said.

Decades of working in the industry have made the Patels experts in the field, according to Kevin. He sees QHotels diversifying to building shopping centers, apartment complexes and assisted living centers in the future under the leadership of the next generation.

8 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

One of QHotels’ proudest moments was when Jay served as board chairman for Best Western, according to Kevin.

“That is our pride and joy for one of our team members to have that big achievement,” Kevin said.

“The board of directors role is elected. There was a very strong contestant running against him who used to be American Hotels and Lodging Association’s past president. Mr. Jay ran against him and won by doing all the basics: meeting the members in person, listening to their issues and expressing how he would resolve it if given the opportunity.”

The Board of Director’s role taught Jay to listen carefully and always think before he speaks, even if he feels he knows the answer off the bat.

Jay travels back to India from the end of May to July and from December to early February each year to vacation and oversee a mango orchard he planted as a tribute to his parents’ farming work. Throughout the year, he monitors the orchard remotely using a system of cameras.

Jay and the QHotels family have given back to India by chipping in $3,000 each to improve road infrastructure and development of new waterlines for plumbing.

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John Emery Jr. finished the 2018 season with 1,683 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns.

Destrehan star rea A

s a group of Terrebonne fans left Wildcat Stadium nearing the end of their school’s Week 10 district championship football game at host Destrehan, one commented about a Wildcats player: “He just dragged three of our guys into the end zone.”

There was no mistaking who was being referenced.

Among the most impressive aspects of LSU signee John Emery Jr.’s career at Destrehan is that despite sharing St. Charles Parish with Hahnville star and fellow rusher Pooka Williams, he was never one to find himself in anyone’s shadow.

Emery, in fact, cast a heck of a large shadow himself.

Blending the ability to run by, away from and through defenders like few others, the 5’11, 202-pound running back asserted himself as the nation’s top running back recruit as per ESPN.com, and earned offers from a who’s who of college football’s elite programs.

In the midst of his senior season, he found himself in a virtual tug of war between two of them, ultimately de-com-

10 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

mitting from the University of Georgia to sign with LSU — Emery made that decision official in December on the first day of the early signing period.

Emery had the spotlight as a senior, never “I always want more, always more so than when he re-opened his recruitso hungry. The things I’ve ment in November. been able to accomplish, He didn’t shrink from I am so thankful for. the crowds of reporters any more than he I know I’m blessed.” refused to shrink from the on-field pressure he John Emery Jr. faced as the offensive centerpiece of a major Running back prospect 5A power in Destrehan, turning in his most prolific season in his final year.

Both on and off the field, Emery answered all questions anyone could have — and did it with poise.

eady for LSU hype “Initially, I didn’t want to sign early at all,” Emery said.

“As much as I loved it at Georgia, I started looking at things … the depth charts (between Georgia and LSU), the type of offense each runs. I started thinking about my family, and I knew this was one of the biggest decisions of my life, so I had to make the right call for me.”

One word keeps coming up when Emery talks about his final season, or his aspirations going forward, or the work he’s putting in to get himself ready for LSU: HUNGRY. “I always want more, always so hungry,” Emery said.

“The things I’ve been able to accomplish, I am so thankful for. I know I’m blessed. But I’m never satisfied with where I’m at, and I still have a lot of goals I haven’t accomplished yet. It’s what keeps me going.”

He has a laid back, soft-spoken demeanor. That couldn’t be more different from the fiery competitor Destrehan fans and high school football observers have seen on the field over the past few seasons.

While Emery describes himself as hungry, on the field, he seems to deliver as much punishment as he absorbs —

angry seems the apt description of how he runs.

“If he walked in here and you didn’t know who he was, you’d never guess he was this five star recruit because he’s just so laid back and even keeled,” said Destrehan coach Stephen Robicheaux of his star. “(But) on the field he turns it on.”

Robicheaux says Emery’s vision, speed and versatility represent the complete package.

“He’s got everything you could want in a really good running back,” he said.

As a senior, Emery rushed for 1,683 yards and 26 touchdowns, both numbers representing career highs.

He averaged 7.7 yards per carry and added 20 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns in the receiving game.

Those numbers followed a junior season that was abbreviated by a wrist injury but that saw him rush for more than 1,000 yards anyway. As a sophomore, Emery shared carries with then senior starter Kristian Mosely, rushing for 1,323 yards (10.6 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns.

He was a heralded young player upon arriving at

This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 11

John Emery Jr. speaks during an announcement press conference where the Destrehan star made his move to LSU official.

Destrehan — a school that’s no stranger to great players — and met the hype.

“I knew I was stepping into a big thing and I’d be having that kind of pressure,” Emery said. “I’d tell myself, ‘I can’t fold.’ When the spotlight is on me, I have to do what I have to do. I want to be that guy who delivers in the face of pressure.”

His focus now shifts to learning LSU’s

12 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

offense and continuing to improve at his craft.

He says he’s anxious to get it going with the Tigers.

After all, Emery has many goals he looks to attain on the football field there — and many beyond.

“I want to play in the league,” Emery said of the NFL. “I’ve gotta go out, do what I need to and make it happen.”

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“Better, not bitter” Passion, Perseverance & Purpose: Retired educator, quadruple amputee shares story of triumph with keynote speeches Merlyna Valentine found her inspirational speaking voice in the depths of medical adversity as she readjusted to life as a quadruple amputee.

She’s shared her story locally and across the nation for the past 10 years, reaching children and adults from all walks of life. Her favorite keynote presentations, however, are those she delivers to educators.

Valentine, a Lucy native, LaPlace resident and retired educator of 30 years, got her start as a teacher in New Orleans before moving to the St. Charles Parish Public School System in 1988.

Valentine served as an assistant principal at Ethel Schoeffner Elementary, principal at St. Rose Elementary and executive director of elementary schools during her 28-year tenure in St. Charles Parish.

Her honors — which included Teacher of the Year, St. Charles Parish Principal of the Year and Louisiana Regional Principal of the Year — reflected her passion for shaping the next generation.

Valentine was forced to take a temporary leave from the work she loved so dearly in August 2007, when a kidney stone diagnosis took a life-threatening turn.

The kidney stone moved through her body until it blocked her kidney and caused an extreme bacterial infection, leading to sepsis.

Valentine was transferred to four hospitals as doctors frantically worked Merlyna Valentine has carved out a distinct voice on the national speaking scene with her impassioned speeches about self-reliance.

This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 17

to save her. Upon arriving to the fourth, she was put into a medically induced coma and given a 10 percent chance of surviving the night.

By the grace of God, Valentine overcame the odds, but her medical journey was far from over.

“I had a very close call to death with major organ failure,” Valentine said. “It was a very, very tragic time. I ended up surviving the sepsis. Then I was sent home and told the sepsis and my illness had caused my extremities to be compromised.”

As a result, Valentine had both hands and both legs below the knee amputated in stages. Her legs were the first to go, placing her in a wheelchair until she mastered walking on prosthetics.

Her right hand was removed a few months later, followed by her left hand.

“It completely changed my life,” Valentine said. “Everything I could do before and took for granted, I had to learn to do in a new way or be humble enough to accept help.”

Despite the challenges, Valentine said the change in lifestyle made her, “better, not bitter.” She learned to let go of materialistic desires and live for what truly brought her hap-

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piness: family, education and experiencing what the world has to offer.

“Although it was a tragic result to have four amputations, I believe it has shown me so much about the strength that I had inside,” Valentine said. “During the recovery period, I was able to learn about perseverance, learn about my faith and grow closer to my purpose in life.”

Valentine delivered her first keynote speech on overcoming adversity and embracing change in 2008 at a St. Charles Parish church. She was wheelchair bound at the time, still navigating the learning curve of losing her limbs.

A fire ignited within her during that speech and changed the trajectory of her life.

Valentine returned to work at St. Rose Elementary by the next school year and continued speaking at schools and conferences in her spare time.

Retiring in 2016 opened up more time to promote her consulting business in Las Vegas, Omaha, Orlando, Jacksonville, Houston and many other cities.

Valentine’s story has been featured in numerous publications, television programs and even a seg-

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Merlyna Valentine pulls up her website, part of a public speaking and inspirational message brand she cultivates to inspire others. The retired St. Charles Parish educator found unique inner strength as she dealt with and conquered major medical challenges.

ment on the Today Show.

“I want people to know I share my story wherever I go, whether it be to children or adults,” Valentine said. “I want people to realize that when adversity happens, it’s not your defining moment.

It’s how you respond to the adversity that will define who you are as a person. I’ve tried to make the best of something tragic and turn it into my triumph in life, and that’s who I am.”

Consulting services are ideal for leadership development and employee motivation in businesses, schools and other group settings, according to Valentine.

Before each speech, she calls the organizer and asks about the group’s goals for the year.

In her January presentation to St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools employees returning from winter break, Valentine tailored her speech to fit the theme “the power of you.”

St. John Public Schools Superintendent Kevin George said Valentine received glowing recommendations from staff members who enjoyed her previous speeches at East St. John Preparatory, John L. Ory and Emily C. Watkins Elementary.

George was deeply moved by Valentine’s January presentation, which he thought was vital for employees to hear so they could enter the spring semester with a renewed spirit.

“Oftentimes, we complain

20 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

about the work that we do on a daily basis, how difficult it is and the problems we have,” George said. “Her talk really puts all of that into perspective. Here’s a person who, if she had decided not to work again, everyone would have understood. She took her limitations and said there are no limitations.”

George said the speech reminded him of New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton’s “do your job” mantra.

At the core of Valentine’s consulting was that, when each person comes to work ready to give 100 percent effort, positive results follow.

“If you do your job, it has a synergistic effect and makes the entire system better,” George said. “(Valentine) tied

it in beautifully. We say we have this barrier and that barrier, and we really don’t. We only have things that we put in front of ourselves. We can’t point fingers. We have to ask, ‘What am I doing today to support the school system?’”

According to Valentine, educators must remember one person has the power to change a child’s life.

With other appearances scheduled this spring, Valentine said this is only the beginning.

“My goal for 2019 is to expand my reach and my impact all across this nation and, maybe one day, internationally,” Valentine said.

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YOUTH & FAITH River Region teenage pastor finds voice to minister at church, funeral services At an early age, Jhontre Green would stack books high to form a makeshift pulpit and pull his mother’s old graduation gown from the closet to use as a pastor’s robe.

The Reserve youngster amused his family each time he opened up the Bible to read a verse and jumped straight into a sermon. Far from a child’s ramblings, the speeches were founded in scripture and interlaced with wisdom that seemed to stretch beyond Jhontre’s years.

It wasn’t a surprise when Jhontre delivered his first sermon at age 13 and became the youngest licensed youth minister in the River Parishes at age 14.

Jhontre, now 19, looked up to great grandfather Arthur Brown, a wellknown Sunday school teacher and deacon in St. John the Baptist Parish.

Arthur passed his love for God down to Jhontre, with reminders to always stick to sound doctrine and be mindful of personal connections, because not every friend would have his best interest at heart.

Arthur passed away just seven days after Jhontre’s first sermon at Bethlehem Baptist Church and never got to see his teachings in action, but he and other family members knew it was exactly where Jhontre was

Jhontre Green became the youngest licensed youth minister in the River Parishes at age 14.

meant to be.

“At a young age, I was always told I would be a preacher,” Jhontre said.

“Outside of being a preacher, I was always told I stood out. I was never one who wanted to fit in.”

Jhontre was baptized at Beech Grove Baptist Church in Reserve before his family moved to Rising Star Baptist Church in LaPlace. Rising Star congregation member Iona Holloway was the one who recommended Jhontre to speak at a Bethlehem Baptist prayer breakfast on Dec. 3, 2012.

After the first sermon, where he delivered a mes-

24 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

sage on the power of prayer, Jhontre studied under the direction of Pastor Donald August Sr. and shadowed the Rising Star deacons.

“Pastor Donald August’s leadership, guidance and patience has been critical to my growth and prosperity in ministry,” Jhontre said, adding August allowed him to open Sunday services with scripture readings and prayers of dedication during his year-long training.

One of Jhontre’s proudest moments came in December 2013, when August announced to the congregation he had earned his license.

However, Jhontre had doubts in the months before that announcement.

“One of the main contributions to the doubt was thinking about if I would miss out on my childhood and my teen years,” Jhontre said. “Would I not be able to participate in some of the things my peers were participating in? Then I realized I wasn’t really interested in the same things my peers were interested in.”

Encouragement from church members affirmed Jhontre’s decision and eased worries about being accepted by church elders in the community.

According to August, commitment, preparation and a studious spirit shine through when a person is ready to become a licensed minister.

“I also look for a humble spirit, and it takes a teachable spirit,” August said.

“That person has to be willing to be taught by the elders. We saw Jhontre’s desire to participate in the junior choir. He always has a zeal for the things of the church.”

Additionally, August said Jhontre is mature for his age and presents himself well at other churches.

While not every older minister has welcomed him with open arms, Jhontre has learned to be dependent on God to guide his path.

Reserve teenager Jhontre Green is establishing his voice as one of the River Region’s youngest ministers.

This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 25

26 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

Jhontre travels to churches throughout the New Orleans region and beyond a few weekends each month and usually delivers a different sermon each time.

Two of the lessons that continue to inspire him are “Trust in the process” and “How to deal with God when God is dealing with you.”

Jhontre speaks on finding the positives in life’s curveballs while trusting God’s plan.

One of those curveballs led Jhontre to find a passion for the funeral industry.

Jhontre, once immensely frightened by death, took what he thought was an office job at a funeral home the summer after his sophomore year at East St. John High.

On his first day of work, Jhontre was thrust out of his comfort zone when his boss asked him to dress a body and prep it for the funeral.

Jhontre soon gained an appreciation for the art and science of embalming. It became apparent work in funeral homes connected to the work he was doing in the church.

“It escalated into going on pick-ups and watching them embalm bodies, and I really took an interest in it,” Jhontre said. “Not only can I work in this field and exercise my interests, but I can exercise my ministry, as well, because it’s about talking to people, comforting them and ministering to them in their time of grief.”

Jhontre graduated from East St. John in 2017. He’s currently enrolled in classes with Mid-American College for Funeral Services, and he commutes to Gonzales to work in a funeral home.

After he completes his degree in 2020, Jhontre plans to attend a seminary school to study ministry.

“I want to obtain a bachelors of theology, a masters of divinity and a doctorate of ministry,” Jhontre said.

“I see myself working as an embalmer, saving and working towards opening my own funeral home, but I also see

Jhontre Green is working in the funeral home business, while taking classes to familiarize himself with the industry before pursuing a college education in divinity.

God eventually opening the door for me to pastor.”

Jhontre said his mother, Aronica Green Bovie; grandparents Ronnie and Katherine Green; and great grandmother Claudia Brown have helped him get where he is today.

Pastor Devin Mason of New Rescue Mission Baptist Church in Reserve was another inspiration through-

out Jhontre’s journey.

Mason compared his friendship with Jhontre to the relationship between Paul and Timothy in the Bible. He recognizes pieces of himself in Jhontre, particularly in the shared experience of answering God’s call at an early age.

“He is extremely humble and appreciative of the opportunities God has

allowed to come his way,” Mason said. “He has compassion for people and passion for God’s word. Though he may be young in age, he makes up for it in his seriousness about the work of ministry. I believe if he keeps that same mindset and perspective, there are great things in store for him.”

— By Brooke Robichaux

This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 27

IVER PARISHES MAGAZIN R E A Special Publication of L’OBSERVATEUR

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28 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

Justin Jefferson led the LSU Tigers in 2018, tallying 54 catches for 875 yards and six touchdowns.

Justin stars in latest Jeffersons series at LSU

J

ustin Jefferson didn’t see much playing time for the Destrehan Wildcats until his junior season, when the then-155 lb. converted from quarterback to wide receiver.

It was there he found a home — and where he ultimately found his path to LSU, where he’s followed in the footsteps of brothers Jordan and Rickey before him to fortify something of a family dynasty at Tiger Stadium.

“To see them all go to LSU,” said Destrehan head football coach Stephen Robicheaux, who coached all three during their time at DHS, “it’s just really special, and it’s fun to watch.”

Robicheaux said the three of them couldn’t be more different when it comes to personality.

Jordan was a quiet player who led by setting a strong example.

Rickey was a prankster and kept things light in the locker room and lifted spirits. Justin, Robicheaux said, is something of a combination of the two.

But they all shared great passion and drive, something Robicheaux credits in part to their upbringing.

Their father, John Jefferson, was a standout basketball player who played college ball at Nebraska.

Robicheaux called their mother, Elaine, a “tremendous person” who kept on her boys to guide them on the right path.

“They all brought different things to the table when they were here,” Robicheaux said. “The traits they shared were that they put in hard work, had dedica-

This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 29

Justin Jefferson found his footing as a wide receiver when he first moved to the position as a junior in high school.

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tion and combined it with great athletic ability … to see three make it like they have, it’s pretty crazy. You hear about a pair of brothers, like the two that went to UCF (Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin) but I don’t know about three. It’s a great and rare thing for sure.”

Jordan’s tenure with LSU started with little fanfare, but he went on to earn the Tigers’ starting quarterback position and helped lead LSU to a National Championship Game. Rickey became a standout defensive back with the Tigers, playing safety and cornerback during his tenure. And Justin, as a sophomore and seeing his first extended collegiate playing time, was LSU’s leading receiver in 2018, tallying 54 catches for 875 yards and six touchdowns. That yardage number more than doubled that of the Tigers’ next best total.

“I tell you what, the sky’s the limit for that last one,” Robicheaux said.

Now at 6’2” and a muscular 185 pounds, the latter has already established himself as a potential NFL prospect, and he completes the rare trifecta of brothers who go on to standout at the collegiate level—let alone a major Division I program, and one in the Southeastern Conference at that.

Before they reached LSU, each of them made their time at Destrehan count.

Jordan quarterbacked perhaps the most

dominant Wildcats team in the program’s history, the 15-0 2007 Class 5A state champions.

He was a perfect 21-0 as a starter, his junior year abbreviated by injury.

Rickey stood out as an offensive playmaker at Destrehan, leading his team in receiving while also posting stellar numbers as a returner. His athleticism attracted the Tigers, who converted him to defensive back.

Justin, meanwhile, arrived at Destrehan for his freshman year at just 5-foot-7, 155 lbs. But he began to bulk up and hit a growth spurt, and once he shifted to wide receiver, Robicheaux and his coaching staff quickly saw they had a gem.

“We toyed with playing him on defense, but we decided to try him at receiver.

He just had a great spring game against Covington,” Robicheaux recalled. “And the next year (as a senior), he was just the man.”

Though Jordan didn’t initially sign with LSU because there was concern he would not be immediately academically eligible – by the end of his senior year, he had one summer class left to take to qualify —there was mutual interest on both sides. The Tigers made it clear that if Justin made it happen, opportunity would be waiting.

He did, and indeed he earned a scholar-

ship offer.

“Rickey was obviously around the LSU program and saw what Jordan did, so when his opportunity arose he went there. And believe me, with Justin, there was no question where he wanted to be when it was his turn,” Robicheaux said.

“He’d been around that program for so long and now he’s continuing their legacy.”

Though he got a late start at receiver, Justin has proven to be a quick study.

Robicheaux said former LSU passing game coordinator Jerry Sullivan believes Justin has a good chance to play “on Sundays” in the NFL and says the receiver’s route running ability is a major strength.

Which means that Justin, no longer the short and skinny kid of yesterday, presents a huge problem for opposing defensive backs — and that the Jefferson legacy could be fortified for years to come.

“He presents a huge problem because you put him at that (isolated) single receiver and the defensive back can’t be right,” Robicheaux said. “If he runs at him and Justin runs an in route, he’s 6’2 and he’s got him beat. And if you take that away, he’s 6’2 and he’s beating you over the top. The way he runs routes, he makes himself open all the time, and it’s why he’s so successful.”

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This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions 31

CHARTER IS “CHOICE”

Why Charter Schools?

Charter schools were created to help improve our nation’s public school system and offer parents another choice to better meet their child’s needs.

Charter school leaders believe in the freedom to do whatever it takes to help students achieve their full potential and share what works with the public school system so that all students may benefit.

Charter schools foster a partnership between parents, teachers, and students. They create an environment where parents can be more involved, teachers allowed to innovate and students are provided the structure they need to learn.

Charter schools are built upon core academic subjects by creating a positive/nurturing school culture and by adopting a theme such as STEM, performing arts or project-based learning.

To register for 2019-2020 School Year visit

32 This Is Us: Celebrating the River Region’s People & Traditions

www.lapremiercharter.org and fill out the student application.