Walker police chiefhonored forlife-saving measures
BY VIC COUVILLION Contributing writer
Walker Police Chief David Addison was presented with theLife Saving Award and medal by theNationalVeteransofForeign Wars of the United States organization Nov.12atWalker City Council meeting. Theaward was presented by Carl Karnish, a member of VFW Post7017 of Denham Springs and VFWState Adjutant General, for Addison’sefforts in saving thelife of aman who was drowning in aswimming pool earlierthis year.Inpresenting the award, Karnish said that whenthe distress call came in about aman whowas foundnot moving in the pool, Addison quicklywent to the scene, jumped in the pool andbrought the man to poolside where he immediately began life saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation on theman
In recounting the incident, Addison said he continuedwiththe CPRwhile beingassisted withfellow officers who had responded to the distress call until emergency medical technicians arrived and continued the process. The man was revived through Addison’sactions and later fully recovered from the incident. In making the award, Karnish observed, “rightlysothe VFWpaystributetothe men and women in thenation’smilitary uniforms for their service and bravery. At the same time, ourgreat organization alsorecognizes policemen and others who serve thepublic in heroic fashion when called upontodoso. We areall together when it comes to servicefor others. WhenI heardabout what Chief Addison had done, Iwrotetothe national headquarters of the VFW,told of the chief’s life saving
7017 of Denham Springs and State Adjutant General of the VFW
Staffgraphic
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION Walker Police Chief DavidAddison, left, is presented with the VFW’snational LifeSaving Award at the November meeting of the Walker City Council by CarlKarnish, amember of VFWPost
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
years after the initial pandemic peak, with the number of approved students growing every year
One parish is aclear leader in these numbers.
In Livingston Parish, the number of homeschool students has more than doubled since 2018, according to Louisiana Department of Education data. It has the third-highest home study enrollment, with 1,057 students this school year
The other two leading parishes, Calcasieu and St. Tammany,have more homeschool students,but haven’tbeen adding them as quickly as Livingston has in the past six years. Reasons for choosing homeschool vary per family.
Madeline Jenkins pulled her son out of thepublic schoolsystem in the past yearafter atumultuous time in kindergarten.
Her son has cerebral palsy and autism. She says he experienced problems within the school district,not all of which had to do with his particular special needs.
She saidshe tried to transfer schools and faced roadblocks, leading her to bring the education home.
“I felt like Ihad no other option,” she said.
The single working mom rarely sees other single parents take on homeschooling; she believesitisbecauseof the economy.She had considered homeschooling before enrolling him in public school.
“I was also kind of hesitant because he is specialneeds. Iwas worried Iwouldn’tbe able to providehim the education he needed,” Jenkins said. But it is going great for the mother-son duo, and he is even doing well in subjects that warranted him failing grades in public schools, she said.
By thenumbers
TheWashingtonPostconducted anationwide analysis from 2022-23. It found that homeschooling has become America’sfastest-growing form of education and that the dramatic rise from the pandemic has maintained itself. The percentageincrease in total homeschool enrollment from 2017-18 to 2022-23inLouisiana was 51%, which is directly shown in Livingston.
Louisiana is one of four states that has seen homeschoolrates continue to rise after the pandemic, the Post found.
The highestnumber of homeschoolenrollment comes from Calcasieu Parish, with 1,415 approvals this year,compared to 1,202 in 2018. Its school district has an enrollment of morethan 29,000students, according to its website
Other parishes likeAcadia and Lafayette also have growing homeschool populations, but none aregrowing as quickly as Livingston
The parish went from 504 homeschool students in 2018 to 1,057 this year
One reason for the increase is that Livingston Parish is one of the fastestgrowing parishes in the state bypopulation. Enrollment in Livingston Parish PublicSchools hasalsogrown overall, withsome ups and downs,from 25,855 students in 2018 to 26,852 students this year,according to Delia Taylor,LPPS spokesperson
Still, the traditional school district has grown by roughly 4%, while the homeschool population has more than doubled.
‘A second wave of homeschoolers’
Some Livingston Parish parents whohomeschool their childrensay they have seen aclear increase in families whochoosethiseducation route overthe years.
Jodi Stewart began homeschooling her children a long time ago because of their travels. Shedescribed her family as the “original work, nomad-type family.” They continued homeschooling even after settling in Livingston Parish.
Stewart and her friend Meagan Clare recently founded the UnschoolClubhouse, anonreligious, nonpolitical homeschool orga-
nization that offers social opportunities and elective classes. It currently has 72 children enrolled.
Stewart isn’tsurprised about homeschool rates remaining high after the pandemic —especially because of itsimpact on children’s social interactionsand mentalhealth.
“We’re seeing now asecond wave of homeschoolers,” shesaid There is along list of reasons given for homeschooling, but some are more common than others.
A2022-23 National Center for Education Statistics report says that concerns about school environments is the No. 1reason forparents to homeschool. Thefollowing reasons, in order of importance, are to provide moral instruction, to emphasize family life together, dissatisfaction with academics, and wanting to provide religious instruction
Carrie Slack has homeschooled her three kids for the past nine years —they have never been to public school. Slack, aformer teacher,said the thought of teachingthem andspending more time with them was appealing
Overthe years,the reasons to keep them home has changed. Not only does it work wellfor her family, but she said after seeingwhat is going on in education and what she sees as the moral decline of schools, she would ratherher children study from home and focus more on faith
Aside from afaith-based education, Slack likes the day-to-day fluidity of homeschooling for her family
Trish Gunterhas three homeschooled children.She said the move to educate fromhome came afterone of her children was complaining about being bored in the classroom. They ended up leaving public education this past year when he was in sixth grade.
“Myson is nowabout to finish the eighth gradein January.Hehas been able to go at his own pace and has decided to continue school throughout the summer,” she said.
Co-ops,conversations, curriculum
While homeschooling is different for each household, there are alot of shared resourcesand programs throughout the parish and state. Many familiesuse thesameonline curriculaor tutoring services fortheir children
Online curricula or tutoring services like ABC Mouse, Powerhouse Homeschool Acellus program and Louisiana’sUniversity View Academy arepopular in Livingston Parish and across the state. Trish Gunter’s children useAcellus,and shesaid it has been easy Critics of home education argue traditional schools are an importantway for students to build socialskills, whichtheymisslearning fromhome.But with the amount of local home school co-ops and organizations, most Livingston Parish homeschool parents would disagree with that assertion.
Several Livingston Parish residents say their children participate in sports or typical extracurriculars.
Classical Conversations, anationwide homeschool Christian curriculum, has two communities in Livingston Parish and dozens throughout thestate.There are 113 students registered in the Livingston communities, according to Leigh Slack, alocal representative forthe program and ahomeschoolparent. Leigh Slack is unrelated to former teacher Carrie Slack She saidthe Classical Conversations communities in parishes like Livingston and Ascension, which she also represents, are growing Leigh Slack said the reasons forjoining theChristian education community are diverse, but the idea of “searching through God in all ourstudies” is acommon denominator HowLouisiana regulates homeschool
Louisiana, like most states in the South, has relatively few regulations on home-
school. In the past year, legislationwas passedthat could potentially play a part in homeschoolrates across the state.
Gov.Jeff Landry signed acontroversial education savings account bill, also known as the Louisiana GATOR (Give All aTrue Opportunity to Rise), into law this year.Itwill create new
taxpayer-funded vouchers to subsidize student’sprivate education. The ESA program will give parents the possibility of spending state grants on private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks,specialeducation services and other approved costs. It is designedtoadd more flexibility for families in choos-
ing atype of education.
Another law signed this year,authored by Rep. Kellee Hennessy Dickerson, who lives in Livingston Parish, allows homeschool students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. For families like Jodi Stewart’s, extracurricular opportunities have become more attainable with the flexible hours from homeschool.
“(It creates) theopportunity to let our kids follow their interests beyond atypical curriculum,” she said.
Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com.
PHOTO BY LEIGH SLACK
PROVIDED PHOTOBYJODI STEWART
Teen homeschool students playing activities at the Unschool Clubhouse homeschool co-op on Jones Creek Road in spring 2024.
actions, and requested that he be awardedthe horrors for which he was so deserving. They agreed, and Iam here tonight to present this award signed by our VFW commander in chief.”
Karnish added, “there is nothing one can do that is more worthy than saving the life of afellow citizen and chiefAddison certainlyisa perfect example of service to another.Hehas earned this award.”
Addisonhas served as Walker’spolice chief for the past eight years and was recently elected to another four-year term earning 62% of the votes cast in elections held Nov.5
Christmascelebrations
At the same meeting, Walker Mayor Jimmy Watson repeated his announcement, issued at the council’s monthly meeting on Oct.14, that the city would not host a traditional Christmas parade this year Watson said he has heard complaints aboutcancellation of the parade but was maintaining his position that theparadecreated asafety hazard.
“I don’tdoFacebook and Idon’tlisten to some of the
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vegetables, fruits and handmade items are on sale from vendors.
Christmasinthe Village Denham Springs Christmas in the Village schedule kicks off at 6p.m. Nov.29 with the Lighting of Old City Hall and merchants open house from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Nov.30. The popular Chef’s Evening and wine Tasting is at 7p.m. Dec. 6. The Kiwanis Lighting of the Christmas Tree is at 6p.m. Dec. 12 and the Kiwanis Christmas Parade is at 2p.m.onDec.14.
The Baton RougeSymphony Orchestrawillplay in the historicdistrict at 6p.m.Dec.19and a Christmas Alive show is at 6p.m. Dec. 22. For acomplete schedule, visitwww cityofdensprings.comor www.denhamspringsantiquedistrict.com. At thelibrary Main Branch in Livingston
Contact the Main Branch in Livingston at (225) 6864160 or visit www.mylpl. info for more details on any event.
Thursday,5:30 p.m., Master Gardener: Shade Gardening (ages 18+). Looking for ablossominggarden where you can sip sweet iced tea in the shade? How about your own backyard? Join the library to learn about the art and science of shade gardening from aMaster Gardener.You’ll
things that are being said about not having aChristmas parade,” the mayor said.“I just want everyone to know thatI do very much believe in Christmasand Walker is going to celebrate the holidays in abig way.Ifanyone wants to talk to me,I have twotelephones in my office andI will be happy to talk to you. Ialso do email and Iwill respond,” Watson said.
The mayor then listed, once again, the programs that will be conducted in Sidney Hutchinson Park during the holiday season. On Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. until 2p.m., the Children’s Parade and Christmas inthe Park will feature achildren’s parade with battery-powered vehicles, wagons and golf carts parading along the park’sscenic walking trail. Photo opportunitieswith Mr and Mrs. Claus will follow along with other festive activities hosted by local churches. Movie at the Park will be offered from 4p.m.-6p.m. on Dec. 14. Aspecial meetand-greet with the Grinch and the Whoville cast will be along with acomplimentary photo booth and train rides. This will be followed with the screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Slated for Dec. 21 isthe Reasonfor theSeason. A live nativity scene will be offered at the Community Center from2 p.m.to4 p.m
learn about the plants and practices necessary to create agarden in the shadows away from the hot Louisiana sun. This program is presented in partnership with the Livingston Parish chapter of the LSU AgCenter’sLouisiana Master Gardener Program. Albany-Springfield Branch Contact the AlbanySpringfield Branch at (225) 686-4130 or visit www mylpl.info for moredetails on any event at this LPL branch. Saturday,11a.m.,Puzzle Café(ages 18+). Puzzles and refreshments at the library’sPuzzle Café, held on the fourth Saturday of every month. The café opens at 11 a.m. and continues until 3p.m. Feel free to come and go at your leisure and enjoy the company of fellow puzzle enthusiasts.
Christmasparadedates Townsthroughout Livingston Parish are planning Christmas parades on land and water.Here’salist of parades: SpringfieldChristmas Parade: Dec. 2
Diversion ChristmasBoat Parade: Dec. 7
AlbanyChristmasParade: Dec 7 Denham Springs KiwanisChristmas Parade: Dec. 14 Livingston ChristmasParade: Dec. 14.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishestolivingston@ theadvocate.com by 4p.m. Friday or call (225) 3880731.
Christmas caroling led by local churches are set from 4:30 p.m. to 6p.m.
The city will also host the Home Christmas Decorating Contest. Council member Scarlett Major asked that residents should start decorating their homes by Dec. 1. Judges will ride through the city evaluating the decorations and awards will be given in several categories.
Petvaccination program
Major announced that at arecent microchipping and vaccination program 234 dogs and one pig were treated. She said theevent was very successful. The new Walker Animal Shelter on Comar Drive in the Walker IndustrialPark. Agrand opening of the facility will be held next month, she said.
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fourth-and-4.
On the punts, Sylve set up in the offense shotgun formation forcing Dutchtown’s defense to set up in its normal formation with no return man.
Sylve got plenty of roll on both kicks all part of the chess match between Walker coach Chad Mahaffey and Dutchtown’s Guy Mistretta. “It’salways tough to play ateam again,” Mahaffey said after the game. “For both sides, you’ve already shown your cards alittle bit. Ithought they did some good things to keep us off balance offensively in the first half. It was agood chess match by both sides.”
Next up, Walker will travel to face No. 6 Southside, which won its first round game 42-6 over Live Oak.
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Denham Springsfalls on theroad
Livingston’sonly other playoff team, Denham Springs, traveled to West Ouachita, where it pushed the 13th-seeded Chiefs to overtime before falling 42-41. The Yellow Jackets trailed 35-21, but scored twice in the closing minutes to force the overtime as quarterback Jerry Horne threw for one touchdown and rushed for another.Inovertime, Southside scored first but the Jackets answered with yet another Horne touchdown pass. Embracing achance to steal aplayoff win on the road, Denham Springs coach Brett Beard elected to go for the 2-point conversion. West Ouachita put pressure on Horne, whose final pass was intercepted, ending the game.
Charles Salzercovers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
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Emily Anthony, director of Militaryand Veteran Success at SoutheasternLouisiana University,was the principal speaker at a flag raising ceremony held on thecampus on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 Anthonypaid tribute to the contributions that veterans of the nation’s armed forces have made overmanyyears of service.
PHOTO BY VICCOUVILLION
