Residents askcouncil to ensure wastewater plantnot near housing
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
In aregion that has seen United Nations observers,federal officials and some residents push for more focus on the disproportionateimpactofindustrial growth on poor,minority communities, Ascension Parish has generally welcomed development with little organized pushback. But awastewater treatmentplantproposed near neighborhoods across the socioeconomic spectrum received adifferent reaction as residents strongly objected, with officials quickly scrapping the plan.
“While it’sagreat positive direction move, we just want assurance from the government with NWI that the location that’schosen is actually going to be along Highway 75 in what is specifically considered a heavy industrial area.”
SAMANTHA LEACH, petition organizer
Despite their victory,those residentstold the Parish Council on Aug. 20 they wanted toensure that National Water Infrastructure’sproposedplant wasn’t builtnearany residential areas,not just their own.
Samantha Leach, who organized a 475-signaturepetitionagainst the proposal,said she wanted the council to pass aresolution ensuring the facilitywill be located within the industrial area ofthe parish “While it’sagreat positive direction move, we just want assurance fromthe government with NWI that the location that’s chosen is actually going to be along Highway 75 in what is specifically considered aheavy industrial area,”she said The company,which finalized its $9.3million purchase of the AscensionParishsewer system in April, had proposed to build the new plant off La. 30 near residential areas includingRiverOak Road and Stoney Point Estates. According to the parish assessor’sonline database, many River Oaks properties have amarket valueoflessthan $33,000, whileStoney Point parcelssportmarket values of more than $600,000.
Some Stoney Point residents focused on the nearby light industrial zoning. Resident Brittany Prout asked the councilwhy the neighborhood was constructedthere in thefirst place.
“If it was light industrial right there and then there was apossibility of asewer plant going there, how did that neighborhood ever become a neighborhood of that status?” sheaskedthe council. “…Ijust don’tunderstand how that could happen. How you could let houses, likemillion-dollar
LIVE OAKS FELLED
BY DARLENE DENSTORFF CommunityNewsEditor
After two large liveoak trees on theformer Piccadilly restaurant siteinGonzales were cut down Thursday,city leaders are consideringanordinance to prevent this from happening again, city engineer Jackie Baumannsaid Friday Baumann saidthe cityhas received calls from residents concerned about the removal of the trees. She said the city has alandscaping ordinance, but it does not prevent theremoval of trees, and no permit is required to removeatree.
Coleen Landry,chair of the Louisiana Live Oak Society, said she is saddened by the loss of the twotrees.One was regis-
tered with the society in 1997, with agirth of 16 feet, 10 inches and hadacanopy of 100 feet.
She estimated that before it was cut down, the ancienttree would have measuredover18feetand been “wellover 100 years old.”
It was calledthe Piccadilly Oak on the registration, she said. The second tree on thesite was not registered Landrysaidshe has been receiving emails from people upsetthatnothing was done to save theoaks.
“I can’tdoanything until Iknow atree is in danger,” she said. “Usually we go to battle for these big oaks.”
TheLiveOak Society has 10,200 oak trees on its registry
Landry has been trying to get astatewide ordinance to save large live oak trees for20years.
She said the city has aClimate Action Plan to protect the city’senvironment and wantstopreserve thecity’strees. She said the city planted2,800 trees in 2020 after it relocated residents of Silver Leaf subdivision, an 11-acre site that flooded several times. She said the city has apreliminary plan under consideration to construct aChickfil-A on the site. The 1.95-acre site was purchased in 2020 for$250,000 by Vince Diez Properties Inc., according to the Ascension Parish Assessor’sdatabase.
Ascension Catholic senior volleyball
setter AvaGordon enters the2024 season with lofty goals for her team and herself. And thetime is now to makeit happen.
“Our team has lost in thequarterfinals thelast two seasons. The goal is to makeittothe finals and let’s see what happens.
Onegoal for myself is to break theschool record for assists. If Icontinue to work hard and never give up,I think that Ican accomplish that goal,” Gordon said.
ACHSvolleyball returns aplethora of talent this season including all state hitter AvaLandry,all metrolibero Ava
Bright and nine seniors that all have playing experience. Bulldog head coach Janelle Leonard recalls when Gordon transferred to ACHS in her freshman year “Ava had to sit out ayear and play junior varsityonly.That year washard for her,” Leonardsaid. “I do think it made her appreciatethe game. She puts in thework on thecourt and in the weight room.Ava has an attitudeasasetter that most coaches dreamof, and her passion for thegame is infectious to her teammates.”
The passion that Gordon has forvolleyball started ayoung age, and her volleyball influences are plentiful.
“I started playing thegame around ten years old. Playing club ball forthe past eight years has shaped me into the
player that Iamtoday,” Gordon said. “So manyofmycoaches have influenced me, including Ryan Hamilton. He was my first club ball coach. Coach Chandra Ewen was my former coach at St. Amant before Itransferred to ACHS. “Playing forImpact and her belief in me pushes me to not only be the best player,but aleader off and on the court. My coaches, Coach Janelle, Coach Cliff and Coach Catherine, they have taught me so much about this game. Coach Catherine is new to our staff. She played here. She helps us with our skills. We love her.Coach Cliffgets me out of my comfort zone and pushes me to try new things. Coach Janelle has welcomed me into this school and program.She has
Seniors fromthe around the parish are invited to Ascension Parish Government’sGame Day Sock Hop starting at 11 a.m. FridayatLamar-Dixon Expo Center, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales. Donaldsonville FarmersMarketSaturday Donaldsonville’sFarmersMarket is from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday in LouisianaSquare Interested vendors can call (225) 473-4814.
Tanger offering teachergrants
STAFF PHOTO BY DARLENE DENSTORFF
Astump and largechunks of aliveoak tree sit Thursdayafter it wascut down.
houses in our parish, be built that close?”
Council member Michael Mason pointed out that public utilities don’thave to follow zoning regulations, which Infrastructure Division Director Ricky Compton confirmed.
Responding to Leach’sresolution, Council memberBlaine Petite said he wasreluctanttovote for such aproposal
“If you needsomething,oryou are against something …wewill fightitwhere we can,” he said “However,when we get into resolutions about telling aprivate company what they can or cannot do, we get into aspot whereweget into aslippery slope. Idon’t want to get to apoint where Ican’t allow abusiness because of public outcry.”
And Parish Council ChairChase
Melancon pointed out the council had no legal means of stopping NWI from building the plant where it wants.
“Wehave no legalbound to stop aprivatecompany from lawfully and legally using their property,” he said. “… The only thing that we can, that we have control over,is if the property is not already properly zoned.”
He added that NWI reiterated to him Tuesday afternoon it had no intention of pursuing the controversial location and company officials wanted to begood neighbors.
Travis Turner,who represents the district containing the original proposed site, addedheagreed with attendees’ wish for the plant to be located within the industrial area andnot near homes.
“We’ve just got to stay diligent and make sure NWI stays true to their promise,” he added.
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@ theadvocate.com
LEBOEUF
Continued from page1G
taught me how to trust my teammates and myself. She putsatremendous amount of timeand effort into the program so we can get the outcomes we are lookingfor,” said Gordon. Gordon was akey player in ACHS run to the state tournamentasshe logged 178 assists and 78 digs.Improving her game and herleadership skillsare on the top of her to-do list.
“One thing that excitesmeabout thisseason is that we havesuch high love and respect for each other. The team chemistry we have on the court is the best since Istarted here My leadership skills have been built up through the years. Iplayed on teams with older kids,and Iwas able to see how they led. Leadership in not only having integrity andsetting agood example for underclassmen, but also lifting your teammates up when they are in amidst of battles As aleader, youhavetohelpelevate
AROUND
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East Ascension Chapter’sbanquet. The evening includes dinner,entertainment and raffles. Fortickets, visit ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/East-AscensionDucks-Unlimited-Banquet.
your teammates and put them before yourself,” said Gordon Making memories this season is important becausethis will be Gordon’slast run as aBulldog, and shegets to share the court with her sister,Celie, whoisajunior “Winning our playoff game that sent us to the Cajundome for the state tournament was so special. We had so much energy on the court, I had tears in my eyes. We want to experience that feeling again, taking our season deeper with achance to win aring. Overall, Ithink this team will accomplish great things with the help of our Lord. Not only are we playing foreach other,but we are playingfor Christ. Our team motto is Philippians4:13, which means I can doall things through Christ who strengthensme,” said Gordon. With that mindset, Ithink Gordon and her teammates have achance to have aspecialseason.
Troy LeBoeuf covers sportsfor the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@hotmail. com or ascension@theadvocate. com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf
Mark youcalendar
Sept. 26: Volunteer Ascension’s Unveiling Hope fundraiser,The PACE Center,Gonzales.
Oct. 12: FallMarket at Chatagnier Family Farm, food,crafts and petting zoo.
LIVE OAKS
Continued from page1G
The removal of the trees drew criticism on social media Thursday,with people stopping by the site.
The smell of the freshly cut trees still lingered in the air when Kassia Howell, caretaker of theHorn of Plenty health food store around the corner fromthe oak trees, stopped by to get alook.
The trees were in place when she arrived at work around 8a.m. Thursday.But when she returned in the afternoon, the trees had been cut, with the branches from one tree piled high and large chunks of the other tree next to the stump.
“I love that tree,” she said of the larger of the two trees, which sat on the side of the now-closed Piccadilly.“I remember when it was covered in snow.”
She said thedestruction of the two old trees lefther angry,wanting to know why they were destroyed. Howell said she wanted “to tie myself to the tree when I heard it was happening this morning,” she said.
“But Iwas too late to do anything about it.” She said the trees did not look diseased and they weren’tlosing leaves.
“I can’tunderstand why anyone would want to cut them down.”
Email DarleneDenstorff at ddenstorff@theadvocate. com
Oct. 18-20: SorrentoLions Club’s Boucherie and Balloon Festival on Airline Highway in Sorrento.
Dec. 7: Christmas Stroll in the Park:Craft vendors, food trucks, photos with Santaand theGrinch Duplessis Park.
THE ASCENSION ADVOCATE,40444 Cannon Road,Gonzales, LA 70737(225) 388-0215 PUBLISHED EVERYWEDNESDAY Onlineattheadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/ascension/
COMMUNITY SECTION EDITOR
Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate com
OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998
RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125
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laya Park along BayouFrancois Kayaks are $5 per hour.For more information, call (225) 647-2841. Found astray?How to help
Cara’sHouse animal shelter is offering anew programtohelpreduce its shelter populationand provide care for lost or abandoned animals
The Found aStray programencourages people who find alost pet
to call the shelter and post the animal. For information, call Cara’s House at (225) 675-0400. Cara’s House provides for all the animal’s needs while it’sunder foster care. Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215;
STAFFPHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT
STAFF PHOTO BY DARLENE DENSTORFF
Twolargeliveoak trees were cutdownThursdayfrom thesite of theformer Picadilly restaruant in Gonzales. At right, is apile of debris left from one of the trees.
PROVIDED PHOTOBYCHUCK MONTERO
AvaGordon
The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on Aug.15-22:
AUG. 15
BRAUD,JUSTIN M: 36470
Miller Road, Prairieville; 28; criminal trespass/trespassing of real property
PORTER JR., TORIAN RAS-
HYDE: 38107 Smith Road, Prairieville; 19; simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000,public intimidation-force, criminal street gangs and patterns of criminal street gang activity-prohibitions and criminal penalties
WEISE, KACY L: 704 E. Weber St., Gonzales; 39; failure to appear-bench warrant, forgery of amotor vehicle inspection certificate, theft less than $1,000
CLEMENTS SR., JAMIE LANE: 41416 RichardMiles Road, Gonzales; 52; twocounts illegal possession of stolen things over $25,000
DIXON, JAMIE LEE: 39327 CatoireRoad, Prairieville; 34; possession of fentanyl
BRAUD,DUSTIN MICHAEL: 43126 Cannon Road, Gonzales; 50; twocounts failure to appear-bench warrant, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), twocounts fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction
GULINO,MARYFRANCES: 44388 E. Villar Jr. Road, Prairieville;34; domesticabuse battery
MUNSON JR., ROBERT: 1930 SEdwardAve Gonzales; 64; theft less than $1,000
AUG. 17
WARREN, CHERIER.: 39115 BayouView Ave., Gonzales; 43; operating vehicle while license is suspended, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, driving on roadway laned for traffic, operating while intoxicated-third, failureto appear-bench warrant
LUVIANO,FERNANDO: 950 S. Burgess Drive, Baton
ASCENSIONPARISHBOOKINGS
Rouge; 34; simple battery
JONES,MICHELE ANTOINETTE: 2073 Gordon Station Road, Port Gibson, Mississippi; 29; unauthorized use of amotor vehicle
AUG. 18
GOODMAN, TA’KIAH LATAYLA: 17201 La. 44, Prairieville; 21; false certificates, view outwardorinwardthrough windshield or windows; obscuring prohibited,use of certain wireless telecommunicationsdevicesfor textmessaging prohibited, driving on rightsideof road; exceptions,drivingon roadway lanedfor traffic, operating while intoxicated-first
HOYT,SPENCER CHRISTIAN: 17091 JamestowneDrive, Prairieville;29; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities
FONTENOT, RYAN AUGUST: 17092 FoxRidge Drive, Prairieville;37; aggravated assault with afirearm
VELAZQUEZ FLORES, VIC-
TORMANUEL: 11033 Toms Drive, Baton Rouge; 29; hold for other agency,registration certificates, driver must be licensed,possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, driving on roadway laned for traffic, operating while intoxicated-first
SALAZAR CRUZ, CIRENIO: 16441 S. Harrells Ferry Road, Baton Rouge;34; hold for other agency,possession of alcoholic beveragesinmotorvehicles, properequipment required on vehiclesdisplay of plate, obstruction to driver’s view or driving mechanism, novelty or unofficial credentials, security required, ownertosecure registration, driver must be licensed, view outwardor inward throughwindshield or windows;obscuringprohibited, maximumspeed limit,reckless operation, operating avehicle while intoxicated-child endangerment law
MORDEN, COLE EDWARD: 35093 Oak Place Drive, Denham Springs;27; parole violation, operatingwhile intoxicated-first, possession of heroin
AUG. 19
GONZALES, KRISTIAN: 38138 Monticello Drive,Prairieville; 37;illegal carrying of weapons, violations of protective orders, reckless operation, terrorizing,
JONES,BRIAN: 1620 Pailet St Harvey; 53; four counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction,
CAMPBELL, CHRISTINE: 37113 White Road, No. 29, Prairieville; 34; criminal mischief/giving of anyfalse report or complainttoa sheriff or his deputies or to anyofficer of thelaw
CRANE, HOLLY DANIELLE: 11037 Martin Road, Gonzales;34; violations of protective orders, entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden, theft less than $1,000, simpleburglary
WASHINGTON, KENDALL: 2207 S. EdwardAve Gonzales;20; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
Seigen Lane,Apt. 12, Baton Rouge; 29; theft less than $1,000, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud, monetary instrument abuse, identity theft
AUG. 20
ETHEREDGE, JOHN M.: 54855 Ramer Road, BayMinette, Alabama; 49;operating while intoxicated-first, careless operation
KENNEDY, DORIN: 1220 Paul MaillardDrive,Luling;43; twocounts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, criminal trespass/trespassing of real property,resisting an officer
FORCELL, OMARION: 910
Monroe St., Donaldsonville; 20; cyberstalking,extortion, nonconsensual disclosure of aprivate image
DABNEY,QUINNDARIUS: 217 Paradise Alley,Donaldsonville; 19; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, firstdegree murder, assault by drive-byshooting,aggravated criminal damage to property
SMITH,TRAVIS L.: 517 St Patrick St Donaldsonville; 37; possession of marijuana-thirdormore
AUG. 21
FERGUSON, JEREMYJERALD: 1202 Maximillian St., Baton Rouge; 34; possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, violations of protectiveorders
WALKER, SAMUEL DAQUAN: 43314 Meadow Grove Drive, Prairieville; 32; domestic abuse battery
BELL, MICHAEL A.: 43333 Willie Bell Road, Gonzales; 53; failuretoappear-bench warrant, security required, operating vehicle while licenseissuspended, possession of marijuana less than 14 grams
WALKER IV,JOHN: 3697 Riverboat Lane,Lot 12, Addis; 36; theft lessthan $1,000, twocounts failure to appear-bench warrant, criminal trespass/trespassing of real property
SHARP,DAVID LEONARD: 43177 MooreRoad,Prairieville; 44; parole violation, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
COLLINS, EMANEAUL DESHUN: 1508 S. Augusta Ave, Gonzales; 46; domestic abuse battery, twocounts failuretoappear-bench warrant
GIBSON,JAVONDANICOLE: 720 E. La. 30, Gonzales; 37; failuretoappear-bench warrant, operating vehicle while licenseissuspended, careless operation DUNN, MICHAEL W.: address unknown, 35; illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlleddangerous substance, possession of Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, possession of Schedule II controlleddangerous substance (cocaine), illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities
MICHEL, KEVIN WAYNE: address unknown, Prairieville; 52; failuretoappear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisianajurisdiction, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule II controlleddangerous substance (cocaine)
AUG. 22
STROTHER, PATRICIA STEELE: 14166 Old River Road, Maurepas; 54; two counts failuretoappearbench warrant, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia
WOODS,SHARNITA: 14086 Airline Highway No. 606, Gonzales; 37; identity theft PAGE, DARLA: 14920 Louise Street, Port Vincent;57; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
Candidates have lineduptorun for Gonzales and Donaldsonville seats up for grabs in theNov.5election. Here’s who will be on theballot: GONZALES
Mayor
n Terance L. Irvin(D)
n Kemlyn B. Lomas (D)
n Timothy“Tim” Riley (D)
n Harold Stewart (D)
Chief of Police
n Sherman Jackson (D)(Incumbent)
n Stephen G. Ussery (I)
n Robert“Bear” Williams (D)
Council Member,Division A
n Deletrieck Dickerson(D)
n Scott Hughes(no party)
n EddieWilliams Jr. (D)
Council Member,Division B
n Kirk Boudreaux(D) (Incumbent)
n Rodney Jackson (D)
Council Member,Division C
n Cynthia Gray James (D)
n Willie Robinson (D)
n Brad Stutzman (R)
Council Member,Division D
n Lisa Parker (D)
n TylerTurner(D) (Incumbent)
Council Member,Division E
n MarvinGlover, (I)
n Terri Lynn Lambert (I)
DONALDSONVILLE
Mayor
n Glenn Price (D)
n LeroySullivan Sr. (D)(Incumbent)
Council District 1
n Patricia “Trish” Brooks (D)
n Murray “Henry” Walker (D)
Council District 2
n Johnathon “Pee Wee” Belt(D)
n Cleveland Washington (D)
Council District 3
n Clem“Boo” Brown(D)
n Shentelle “Lou” Daigle (D)
n Patrice Joseph Smith,(D)
Council District 4
n CharlesR.Brown (D)
n Trevis “Lil Keno” Fernandez (D)
Council District 5
n Catina Price (I)
n Michael Sullivan Sr. (I)
AscensionParishschools appoint4 administrators
Community news report
Ascension Public Schools has announced the appointment of four newschool administrators.
The new appointmentsinclude Central PrimaryPrincipal Erin Esneault,Dutchtown High Principal Barry Whittington, Dutchtown High Associate Principal Keragan McCready,and Lakeside PrimaryAssistant Principal Stephanie Hazelwood.
“It is with great enthusiasm thatwewelcome these new leaders whobring awealth of experiencetoour schools. Their dedication to student success andcommitmentto fostering apositive learning environment will undoubtedly enhance our educational community,” said Superintendent Edith Walker
CentralPrimary principal
Born and raised in Ascension Parish, Esneault’sacademic journey began with earning a ba c helor’s degree in elementary education from LSU in May 2006. She furthered her education by obtaining a master’sdegree in educational leadership from Southeastern University in December 2011.
She spentthree yearsatDutchtown Primary teaching second and fourth grades, followed by five years at Spanish Lake Primary teaching first and fourth grades.At Donaldsonville Primary,she worked for fouryears, including oneyear teaching first grade while serving as amentor teacher,and three years as amaster teacher. Forthe past six years, Esneault has servedasthe assistant principalofCentral Primary
“Thank you for placingyourtrust in me to lead CentralPrimary School in the upcoming school year. This has been a lifelong dream of mine, and forthe past six years, CentralPrimary has been my home,” Enseault said. “As principal, my commitment remains to lead the school with decisions that prioritize the wellbeing and success of our students. Ihave built strong relationships withparents and the community,and Iamdedicated to continuing thiscollaboration.
DutchtownHighprincipal
Whittington, alifelong resident of Ascension Parish andgraduateofEast Ascension High School, has been appointed as the principal at Dutchtown High School. Whittington earned bo th his ba c helor’s and master’sdegrees from LSU. He began his teachingcareer 16 years ago at Donaldsonville High School, where he served as acareer coach, mentor teacher and masterteacher In 2014, Whittington returnedtohis alma mater,East Ascension HighSchool, where he taught algebra and geometry,served on the instructional leadership team, and acted as ateacher observer. He later completed the district’sadministrativeintern program at Prairieville Primary and Dutchtown Middle.
In 2019, Whittington joined Dutchtown High School as an assistant principal. Most recently,heserved as theassociateprincipalatDutchtown High School forthe 202324 school year Whittington is marriedtoTia, and together they have two children, Harper and Barry III. “The support has been invaluable in ev-
ery role andstep I’ve taken along the way and Ilook forward to continuing our work together. Ifeel incredibly blessedtohave ajob with suchawonderful parish and school. Iwant to expressmygratitude to those who gavemethe opportunity to be aGriffin. Iamstill aGriffin, and Ihope to finish my career as one. Iamcommittedto maintainingthe excellence we have established at Dutchtown and ensuring Iuphold thehigh standards and reputation we’ve set for everyone,” Whittington said.
DutchtownHighassociate principal
McCready,originally from West Monroe and agraduate of West OuachitaHigh School,has been named theassociate principal at Dutchtown High School.
McCready earned abachelor’sdegree from TheTeachers’College of Henderson State University and earned amaster’sdegree from LSU. With 16 years of experience in education, he moved to Ascension Parish in 2011,where he beg an workingat East Ascension High School. Duringhis tenure at EA, he served as asocial studies and phy si ca l ed u cation teacher and the assistant athletic director In 2017, McCready transitioned to Dutchtown High School, where he was promoted to assistantprincipal in 2021. McCready’swife,April, is ateacher at PrairievilleMiddle School, and together they have two daughters, Payton and Audrey “I am incredibly grateful and humbled by this opportunity.Myfamily is deeply rooted in AscensionParish schools. My wife works for the district and my two daughters are students here. We arepart of this community because we believe in themissionofAscension Public Schools. We know thatour work makesadifference, and we wake up every day inspired to contribute,” said McCready.“Iamhonored to serve as the associate principalat Dutchtown High School. Iamcommitted to being adedicated servant leader for our students, teachers, parents, and community.Ipromise to give my all every day for every Griffin.”
Lakeside Primaryassistant principal
Hazelwood began her career in Georgia andSouth Carolina before moving to Louisiana.In2009, she joined Ascension Parish, where she has dedicated the past 15 years to the district.
Shestarted herdistrict teaching career at St.Amant Primary and later moved to Duplessis Primary.In2019, Hazelwood transferred to LakesidePrimary,where she has served as amentorand master teacher for the last five years.
She earned abachelor’s degree in elementary ed u cation from Berry College and amaster’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University Hazelwood is married to Zachary,and they have two children, Anna andNolan
“I am incredibly thankful and grateful forthis opportunity. Ideeply appreciate the board’sconfidence in me andthe support from those who encouraged me to pursuethis leadership role. Lakeside Primary holds aspecial place in myheart, and Iam thrilled to continue my journey as aBuck. Iamexcited about all the great things we canaccomplish together at Lakeside,”said Hazelwood.
School systemnames JeffParentchief operations director
Community news report
Jeff Parent is the new chief operations director forAscension Public schools
“Weare thrilled to haveJeffParent in this critical district role,” Superintendent Edith M. Walkersaid.
“His wealth of experience across various operations departments and his proven leadershipskills are avaluableasset to ourdistrict We are confident that his expertise and vision will continuetodrive operational excellence andsupport our mission to provide thebest possibleeducational environment for our students and staff.”
from the University of Houston in 1996. He began his career with Ascension Public Schools in 2006 as the supervisorof maintenance and advanced to supervisor of planningand construction in 2020.
In addition to his experience in education, Parent has served eight years in the Louisiana and Texas Air NationalGuard and spent 12 years in the petrochemical industry
He is married to Lori Lambert Parent, and they have three children: Berkley,Cohen and Pierson, all of whom are proud products of theDutchtown feeder system.
Communitynewsreport
DutchtownMiddle School teacher Krystal Swain won the Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Member of the Year Award for thestate of Louisianaand wasnamed afinalistfor theNational Aerospace Education Memberofthe Year honor
“Swain is so full of excitement about teaching, students, aerospace education, and professional improvement,” said CAP Lt. Col. KathyBeauford, “What amazes me about her is notonly what she hasaccomplished, but also whatliesahead. Her intelligence, curiosity, dedication, talents, and accomplishmentsall speak to acareer full of promise.”
Dutchtown Middle School’sAeroSTEM program, led by Swain, is setting new standards in STEM education, anewsrelease said. Swain has transformed two classrooms into advanced STEM and Flight Labs,completewithflightsimulators, drones, STEM kits andstudent-engineered prototypes. Due to the program’spopularity,there is a one-year waiting list for her AeroSTEM and STEM Pathways to Careers classes, which led to the creation of an after-school STEM program.
“This class explores so much more than the average STEM Class. Students are having fun and learning —and that is what it is all about. Students gain interest and a
strong foundation in this true Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics class that they will take withthem andwill allow them to thrive and be able to successfully contribute in real world endeavors to come in the future,” Swain said.
As an Aerospace Education Officer,Swain has integrated Civil Air Patrol programs and STEM kits into her curriculum. She is training to become the Louisiana director of External Aerospace Education and will be leading the Moon Extravaganza at the Louisiana Wing Academy this fall. She is aLIGO-trained educator,aNASA LiftOff Institute alumna,and acertified NASA/JSCLunar andMeteorite Sample Ambassador.Additionally,she hascontributed to state and district-leveleducational committees, including the Louisiana science standards andLEAP stimulus and questioning committee.
Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary,isthe newest member of the Air Force’sTotal Force. In this role, CAP operates afleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90% of continental U.S.inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually.Inaddition,CAP playsaleadingroleinaerospace/ STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 26,000 young people participating in CAP’sCadet Programs.
Alifelong resident of AscensionParish and a1989 graduate of St.Amant High School, Parent brings awealth of experience and dedication to his newrole, anews release said. He earned his bachelor’sdegreeincivil engineering/construction management
“I amdeeply gratefulfor theopportunity to lead and serve the students and staff of Ascension Parish. Iwant to extend my heartfelt thanks to the board for their trust andsupport over the past 18 years. It hasbeenanincredible journey,and Iam honored to continue leading in this capacity,” Parent said.
