School, Community, Rallies After Tragic Accident With Basketball Tournament

In the summer of 1994 Brett Frederic and Brett Legette, both 13, looked forward to their upcoming eighth-grade year at St. Theresa of Avila Middle School in Gonzales. They also anticipated entering high school the next year. Those dreams were shattered when they were tragically killed Aug. 20, 1994 in a car accident two days before school began.

The accident also claimed the life of Mandy Acosta, 18, Legette’s cousin, who was driving the boys on a rainy afternoon to rent a movie. Their car hydroplaned in a curve on Hwy. 42 outside of Prairieville that was notoriously known as “Dead Man’s Curve” and struck another car.  The children’s families fought for years to improve the road conditions, which was finally completed with the widening of Hwy. 42 from two to four lanes in 2022.

The St. Teresa school and Ascension civil parish community were heartbroken by the boys’ and Acosta’s deaths. That school year the boys’ desks remained in their classroom to let their classmates and faculty know they were still with them in spirit because God was their connection to them.
Above, Right Photo: The pep rally featured a contest to see which STA class could cheer the loudest.
Above Photo: The STA cheerleaders performed spirited routines at the Brett and Brett pep rally. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator On Dec. 6, 30 years later, a pep rally exuding energy with dancing, cheering, music, and competitive games showed that spirit has carried on for the past 30 years. The rally is a much-anticipated school event that is part of the annual Brett and Brett basketball tournament, which was held this year on Dec. 3–7. 

“They would have loved this,” said Jordy Templet, who was a classmate as well as Frederic’s cousin and Legette’s good friend. “I wish they were here. They would fit right in with all these events. They would think it’s a lot of fun.”

Referring to the boys as servant leaders, Templet talked to the student assembly about servant leadership.

“Especially with new athletes, people like to glorify the individual,” said Templet. “That’s not who we should be. You don’t live your life wanting to be glorified, you want to glorify God.

“A servant leader doesn’t view being a leader as a position of power, but instead a responsibility to serve others … Think of Mother Teresa. She was known for her love.”

Templet listed the five characteristics of a good servant leader: listening actively, empowering others, leading with empathy, focusing on growth and serving others.

“Let us lead, not by standing above others, but by walking alongside them," said Templet.
The athletic skills of students, teachers, and alumni were tested.Thanking his classmates who attended the tournament, Templet said, “You guys are about to be moving on one day, and you’ll look back (at your classmates), like I do at all these people here who helped shape me and each other into the people we are today.”

Jessica Miller, who was also Frederic and Legette’s classmate, has never missed a tournament and enjoys seeing others in her class.

“We may not see each other on a regular basis, but it feels like it. Even though years have passed, they’re the ones you can count on. They are family.”

Torrie Schexnayder, dean of students, who has helped organize the pep rally and tournament for the past 23 years, said the students brought enthusiasm during the week and supported other teams in the community when STA wasn’t playing.

“The students have a sense of wanting to do something for their fellow Warriors,” said Schexnaydre. “We pump them up all week and talk about it. And even though they didn’t know Brett and Brett, we want them to know that they were leaders and athletes in the school and they can do the same.”
Competitive games were part of the fun at the pep rally.Chris Musso began teaching at St. Theresa 41 years ago and eventually served as principal of the school until she retired in 2021. She was also involved in organizing the tournaments.
She remembered Frederic and Legette as “gentlemen” who were “friendly to everyone.” 
“They treated everyone right. They were someone to be proud of,” said Musso. “The nice thing is, since the tournament has been going on for so long, every class that comes through St. Theresa learns about the boys and celebrates them.

“I think that’s pretty cool because I know a lot of elementary and middle schools probably don’t do a big celebration like this. Some of the public and private schools from Baton Rouge even come. It’s one of the biggest events of the year.”