A Baton Rouge high school student's hard work and dedication were rewarded with a life-changing surprise Monday night.

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For four years, Kentrell Taylor, a senior at An IDEA Bridge School, rode his bike to school, work, and basketball practice.

He tells WAFB that his busy schedule made catching the bus impossible,"I have to do what I got to do. Outside of this, I have work and I have so much other stuff that I have to do and I have no time really and when I have no time I can’t make the bus so the only way I can really get here is with that bike."

In addition to school and his part-time job, the honor roll student says he's most passionate about helping people. Even with his busy social calendar, he still finds time to volunteer as a tutor and sit in on panels with BRPD for his school.

Post graduation, Taylor has his sights set on a nursing or law degree where he can continue to make a difference but on a larger scale.

Dr. Popleon, Assistant Principal of Operations at IDEA Bridge, took notice of Taylors dedication to excellence and giving back. Dr. Popleon wanted to help simplify his commute and decided to start working towards getting a vehicle for him.

The assistant principal contacted a former parent of the school who owns a towing company, and they not only donated a car but also paid for the tax title and license.

Baton Rouge High School Senior Surprised With Car After Basketball Game

On Monday night, Dr. Popleon had everything set to surprise Taylor and his family with his new ride after Senior Night. "I remember talking to his mom. His mom was so excited and so proud of him as a student. And I said, Mom, you’re going to be really excited after this game. And she said, "I hope so. I don’t know what’s coming."

Once the game ended and the surprise was revealed, Taylor was bursting with excitement." I was shocked and happy; everybody in my family was screaming, what! And it was just like it was great. The feeling is like a feeling that I’ll never get back. It’s a feeling that nobody will ever feel."

Taylor is beyond thankful to everyone who made this possible and thanked God for giving him the opportunity, saying, "I’m going to make sure that this won't go unnoticed."

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Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham

 

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