Spencer was an intelligent and dedicated student and athlete who excelled in chemistry and as a distance runner. He pushed himself beyond his limits through discipline and a willingness to endure pain. As captain of the cross-country and track teams, Spencer led his teams to championship success through his example and leadership. His coach believes Spencer exemplifies the character and discipline expected of a soldier, trusting him to do what is right in defense of freedoms.

1. October 10, 2010
SFC LorettaDunn
412 S.Irma Blvd.
Gonzales,LA 70737
Spencerwasa studentinmy chemistryclassandwasa memberof the cross-country and track teams of
which I coached. Spencer was a very intelligent and detail-oriented student. He made sure he got all
the little things right. It wasn’t enough to grasp just the main concepts - he wanted to understand the
nuances that went with it.
Spencer was a great student, but most of the time spent with him was as coach/athlete. He made
himself into one of the best distance runners in the state by his senior year. He did whatever was
necessarytobecome the bestandhe wantedtounderstandwhatittook tobe the best. If a slightinjury
meant doing a water running workout in late October in an unheated pool, that’s what he did. If it
meant completing a run late at night or during the summer, early in the morning, he did it without
hesitation. He had talent,buthe alsohad the dedication and pain tolerance to succeed. He learned to
push beyond what he thought were his limits.
During his four years at West Feliciana, he was a member of one state champion team and three state
runner-up teams. No other athlete has ever had a better championship reign at our school. It wasn’t
justbecause he had goodteammates. We succeeded because of the example he set and the direction
he gave the otherrunners. We have not had that kindof successsince he leftandit’snot a coincidence.
I have sometimeswonderedaboutthe characterand discipline of otherstudentswho have entered the
military,butSpencertypifieseverythingthatIwouldexpectasoldiertobe. He is who I want defending
my freedoms when the time comes. I trust him to do what’s right.
Sincerely,
Nick Smith
11734 Ferdinand St.
St. Francisville, LA 70775
225-635-5619