The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
   

St. Joseph grad preaches perseverance in classroom

Patrick Wauters also mentored young athletes at St. Joseph School in Pine Bluff

Published: May 23, 2013   

By Dwain Hebda
Associate Editor

Dwain Hebda
Graduate Patrick Wauters of St. Joseph High School in Pine Bluff plans to study communications in college. Wauters was praised by faculty for mentoring younger students and overcoming challenges in the classroom.

While Patrick Wauters is rarely at a loss for words, he doesn’t waste too many of them on himself. In this regard, he lets others at St. Joseph School in Pine Bluff do the talking and lately, people have had a lot to say.

Principal Alexandra Pritchett singled him out for his habit of mentoring others, saying Wauters, as the unnamed-yet-acknowledged captain of the track team, routinely took young runners under his wing.

“(He was) encouraging (to) them as they went through the difficulties that most new runners face,” she said. “He was always particularly sympathetic as he overcame many of those struggles himself in recent years.”

“I feel humbled that someone would say that about me in all honesty,” Wauters said of Prichett’s praise.  “I know how it feels. I was in exactly that same position not long ago.”

In fact, Wauters has conquered a number of obstacles over his 17 years that allow him to relate to a variety of students. A lifelong athlete, he was a latecomer to track and basketball, and he understands the frustrations of learning a new skill that precedes the joys of accomplishment.

As one who managed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to become a successful student and a leader in various extracurricular organizations such as Quiz Bowl and Beta Club, he also understands what it means to face challenges at school as well.

“On the one hand ADHD is great because it gives you a lot of energy. But, of course, it made school more difficult,” he said. “I can’t cure it. All I can do is work around it or work with it.”

He gives a lot of credit to his being able to manage his condition to his family, Dr. Ronald and Stephanie Wauters and his younger brother John. Also, the school and its cadre of teachers who invested time and energy in him, particularly English teacher and track coach Cliff Heyer.

“He’s just that kind of teacher you look forward to having in class,” Wauters said. “He’s got a sense of humor and he takes the time to help with our weekly essays. You might get an ‘A’ but you’ll work for it.”

Wauters will attend Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff for a year and then transfer to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway where he wants to study communications.

As he leaves, he will miss his St. Joseph family, especially considering the doors of his high school are literally closing behind him. He was one of five seniors comprising the final graduating class at St. Joseph.

“It’s cool to be the class closing it out, we had a really good run,” he said. “But it’s sad the school is closing. Religiosity aside, the city is losing a really great school.”

Still, he said his message to younger students remains to let nothing deter them from achieving their purpose in life — not even the closing of a beloved institution.

“I think the worst thing you can feel is remorse because there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said. “My advice to any kid dealing with what I dealt with is to keep an open mind and work toward being what they want to be. What’s there to stop you?”

 

Please read our Comments Policy before posting.

Article comments powered by Disqus