A TEEN’S TAKE: David Blanchard on the power of faith

• By CHANTE DIONNE WARREN
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Jun 4, 2009 - Page: 1D

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“Faith is a simple word that means so much. More than anything else, even food, I need faith. Hurricane Gustav destroyed my Plaquemine home and then my Dad’s store burned down. It was a lot of stress. I survived by praying. I also find my center in music. I sing and play guitar. It’s a great way to cope with your feelings. I got my tattoo (of the word ‘faith’ on his left wrist) done about a year ago. If I’m about to lose it or things start to cave in, I turn my hand over, read my tattoo and I know things will get better.”

Age: 18

School: Plaquemine High School 2009 graduate.

Parents: Michelle Griffith and Bill Blanchard.

FAVORITES:

Music/artist: Reggae music, Jack Johnson and Bob Marley.

TV show: “The Chapelle Show.”

Movie: “Pineapple Express.”

Hangout: “New Orleans downtown, where there is so much to do.”

Role model: God.

Extra: Blanchard plans to attend a local or out-of-state college where he will major in music and performing arts.  Blanchard chose his major after members of Career Compass of Louisiana, a program that helps prepare seniors for college, encouraged him to take the ACT and to find out what his career strengths and weaknesses would be.