SAS Distinguished Graduate 2008-2009

A Catholic education gives one the opportunity to learn about the Church, faith and guiding morals. These are valuable to a young student during those impressionable years.  The daily practice of one’s faith centers the foundation of Christian living.   These years of schooling, in addition to a home life with parents that reinforced these ideals, helped me to realize that the most valuable part of my education was this Christian environment.  It influenced me to live a life based in faith which honors God.  I learned all of these things without being aware that I had even learned them. 

 The faith instilled in Jessica so many years ago has had a great impact on her life.  At St Alphonsus School, she lived, practiced and witnessed her faith. Today, she is motivated in her daily activities to live a faithful life through the teachings of Christ. Work and school has taken Jessica to New Orleans where she attends Holy Name of Jesus and Immaculate Conception, however, she remains a faithful parishioner of St. Alphonsus Parish. 

While at LSU she was inducted into the Mortar Board Blazer Chapter. This is a national, leadership, honor society of college seniors which requires members to serve the community in multiple service projects. This was a natural fit for a person who sees service as an opportunity to minister. Graduating Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in microbiology, Jessica was selected for the LSU Tiger Twelve, an honor bestowed on only 12 outstanding graduating seniors each semester. She entered LSU Medical School and garnered The LSU Health Science Center Dean’s Award as the sole recipient for the graduate who shows outstanding leadership, compassion, and extraordinary efforts in their field.  She was also honored as an inductee into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, the only such one for medical doctors. Currently in her residency at Children’s Hospital -LSU Pediatrics, Jessica’s specific field of study is pediatric neurology. 

Following her mother’s example of selflessness in giving to others who are less fortunate Jessica says, “I feel the best way I can live a faith-filled life is to live by the simple concepts of honoring God, loving your neighbor, and  making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Jessica is the daughter of Mrs. Julie Gautreaux and the late John Gautreaux.