Wins DHS’ Spirit of the Wildcat award as a role model
When word came that Nathan Leathers had won the Spirit of the Wildcat Award from the Destrehan High School ROTC and American Legion Post River Road 366, his mother called it a “full circle moment” for a child who wasn’t always understood or appreciated.
But it was also evident that Leathers wasn’t going to let Down’s syndrome stop him from pursuing his dreams, and being a part of the drumline was proof enough to him that they could come true.
His mother, Karen Lentini of St. Rose, fought back tears as she recounted her son’s passion for the opportunity, as well as his enormous patriotism.
The award was certainly fitting for Leathers, who was recognized for serving as a role model.
“I didn’t expect this at all,” Lentini said, but this proud parent couldn’t be more thrilled over seeing her child, who had fought for every win in his life, be recognized for showing fellow students how it’s done in the ROTC. “I was so overwhelmed I almost passed out.”
Leathers’ 92-year-old grandmother joined them for the ceremony, which was initiated by their neighbor Bob Himmangh, who is in the American Legion. His mother is still beaming over her son’s recognition and dedication.
“He just loves putting that ROTC uniform on,” she said. “He will wear that jacket and keep it buttoned the whole day.”Others reveled in his recognition, too.
When Lentini posted his award on her Facebook page, the response was spontaneous: This story needs to go national.“I don’t think any post I’ve made had more comments and likes,” she said. “My Facebook page is all about Nathan. It was about five years ago that comments and private messages [I made on] how I was encouraging parents and family and friends of special needs children to pursue activities and not think it wasn’t possible.”
Leathers’ love for music became evident at an early age, as well as his ability to move people with his talent.
In third grade, he joined the St. Rose Elementary choir. Lentini said his solo song, “The Power of One,” brought the crowd in the cafeteria to tears. In third through fifth grade, he participated in every choir performance. And, by fifth grade, he joined band, too.
“Nathan always loved the percussion and especially the snare drum,” his mother said of his time at Albert Cammon Middle School (ACMS). “Nathan was included fully in the band, and all football games and concerts.”
By eighth grade, Leathers did a drum solo at the Arts Awareness Festival, a selection from the band book and LSU fight song. Again, his performance drew a standing ovation from a tearful audience, including his principal and St. Charles Parish’s former school system Superintendent Rodney Lafon.
Leathers did this in addition to participating in civic efforts like the parish Trash Bash, Challenger Baseball and Shooting Stars. He’d also been participating in the Special Olympics since eighth grade, running track and field, bowling, baseball, swimming, tennis and Bocce. He accomplished all this while continuing to participate in the band at ACMS.
When he lost his most influential male figure in his life, his grandfather, Lentini said the Special Olympics, ACMS band and support of his school and then Councilman Larry Cochran all became the community support he needed to keep going.
“We also were very supported by our church, which Nathan accompanies with the hand drum in worship,” said his mother.But Special Education teacher Traci Howes, who had Leathers as a student for a year, asked Lentini if enrolling him in ROTC was a good idea and she readily agreed.
Howes got it done, noting, she helped do it by describing him as a very “patriotic student.”
According to Lentini, “It was former ACM and HHM students that saw and heard Nathan play that spoke up for Nathan to try out for drumline. After three sessions, Nathan made the drumline and participated in the one Mardi Gras parade.”Again, an enthusiastic Leathers proved he had the right stuff.
And for Lentini, the hope of his loving mother seeing her son achieve his dreams were only equaled by her interminable belief in a simple gesture, “I always, my whole life, have believed that everyone should be given a chance – an opportunity to try.”
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