Kiwanis Club recognizes Abbeville’s Duplantis as ‘Student of the Month’

When Kyle Duplantis graduates in May, he will not have left much on the table during his four years at Abbeville High School.
Duplantis, who holds a 3.5 grade-point average, is his class’ president. He is a member of the band, the captain of the AHS powerlifting team and is in the Beta Club. He also represents his school at Louisiana Boys State, among taking part in various other activities. He has done all of this while holding an after-school job.
Duplantis is well-rounded, to say the least. It is a result that is by design.
“I definitely tried to get as much out of high school as I could,” Duplantis said. “My family is outgoing so that made me want to take part in things. I am also a competitive person.
“I always want to try new stuff.”
Duplantis, the son of Kevin and Erin Duplantis, brought his outgoing personality Tuesday to the Abbeville Kiwanis Club’s weekly meeting, speaking to members about his current time in high school, as well as future plans. The club honored Duplantis as its “Student of the Month.” Along with a sign to place in his front yard, Duplantis received a gift card to Sonic of Abbeville.
“Thank you for this honor,” Duplantis told the Kiwanians.
As for his plans after high school, Duplantis told the members he will be heading to Baton Rouge to attend LSU. There he will major in nutrition and dietetics, with a minor in education.
“My weightlifting coach has a degree in nutrition and that interested me,” Duplantis said. “I have also job-shadowed doctors who work in the field. I have always wanted to be a teacher, so that is why I am doing the minor.
“I will have some options.”
College will present Duplantis with many options. He already has some ready to go.
“I committed to the LSU powerlifting team last week,” Duplantis said. “If I have enough time, I really want to try to keep up with music and join the jazz combo at LSU. I want to get everything I can out of my time in college.
“I am going to try.”
There is one area at Abbeville High that Duplantis sort of wishes he would have taken part.
“If I had to say I regret anything,” Duplantis said, “it is not playing football. A lot of people told me I should have played. I went to Mount Carmel through eighth grade and I played football there. When I got to Abbeville High, I wanted to do some different things. I joined the band and played soccer, things like that.
“I feel like I got everything out of high school that I possibly could.”