St. Michael Honors Student Warrior

BATON ROUGE — The 2013 St. Michael High School Warrior Awards Dinner was held on Thursday, May 23 at Ashley Manor.  Recognized were two Alumni of the Year, two Warrior Sword winners, and two athlete inductees into the Warrior Wall of Honor.
The two athletes inducted into the Wall of Honor this year are both from the class of 1999.  Jayme Chikos was the school’s all-time basketball scorer and all-time basketball assist leader.  She went on to play college basketball at Elon University where she still holds the all-time school assist leader there.  She lettered all four years at Elon, was the captain, and became the Big South Conference all-time career assist leader.
Laurel Huber Chiarmonte had an exemplary track, soccer, and cross country high school athletic career.  She was a four-time all-district soccer player, a two-time cross country champion, and an EBR cross country champion.  In addition, she was a three-time state track individual champion.
Each year, an alumni at least five years out from graduation, is chosen as the Alumni of the Year.  This year, two graduates who give back to their alma mater were honored — Dena Rispone Balart ’93 and Sarah Edwards ’05.  Balart gives back to St. Michael and the greater Baton Rouge community as well.  She is an active Warrior Alumni Association member who served on her Reunion Planning Committee and actively participates in the Auction Social each year.  She serves as an Alumni Class Representative and has been very involved in Career Day, Open House, and the Auction Social for which she has worked registration, the bank, and procurement for the silent and live auctions.
Finally, the Warrior Sword Award is the highest honor bestowed by the school to individuals who exemplify outstanding Christian values and in the spirit of good will serve others and the community.  This year two adults and one graduating senior received Warrior Sword Awards.  The adult Sword Award recipients were faculty member, Cathy Brouillette, and consummate volunteer, Gary Carville.
Brouillette, who retires this year as one of the school’s original teachers 29 years ago, has touched just about every aspect of St. Michael High School.  From serving on the initial committee to choose the school colors and mascot to starting the original Warrior Dance Team and Student Ambassador Program to finding time in between to teach math, Cathy has been a tremendous asset to St. Michael.  Carville has also touched so many different and varied areas of SMHS including assistant coaching for cross country, tennis and soccer, as well as driving the school bus for athletic and club events.
“These awards and this annual dinner give us a moment each year to honor and recognize those members of the St. Michael family who truly help and have helped to make the school what it is today,” said Director of Advancement, Lee DeGeneres.  “It is individuals such as these who are defining the Warrior legacy today for so many years to come.”
Prior to the Awards Dinner, St. Michael High School senior – Alexander Ruch, was presented the Student Warrior Sword Award.  The Student Sword Award is given to the one student who acts as a role model for other students by exhibiting moral standards and dedication to the mission of St. Michael High School. This student also shows leadership and commitment to the community ,and serves as a leader at St. Michael both on the fields of competition and in clubs. Ruch, an honor graduate and college scholarship recipient, also received the male Christian Character Award and was one of the St. Michael Award winners.