Revisions were made to the 2024-25 school calendar to compensate for the lost required instructional minutes due to recent weather-related closures. Visit https://zacharyschools.org/ to see the changes.
Some specifics to watch for:
n Feb. 14, originally a professional development day, is now an in-person school day for all staff and students.
n March 5 was revised to a remote learning day for students. Specific grade-level appropriate learning packets will be sent home.
n May 23 will have no students, no paraprofessionals and no cafeteria staff.
The Zachary Community School District School Board approved the updated 2025-26 school calendar during the Feb. 4 board meeting.
Race for the dogs
The Krewe of McKey Fitness 5k race is March 4, starting and ending at HugYourPeople Park in Zachary Entry is $30. A T-shirt is $10. The kids fun run starts at 8 a.m and the 5K at 8:30 a.m.
Some of the proceeds will be donated to Must Luv Dogs and to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
A post-race party will have food trucks and live music, and Bark in the Park and the Must Luv Dogs parade follows.
Dog parade set
Must Luv Dogs will hold Pawdi Gras 2025 on March 4 in downtown Zachary The theme is “Space Paws.”
Bark in the Park is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The parade rolls at 2 p.m For information or to register for the parade, costume contest or as a vendor, visit www.mustluvdogs.org.
Ag Spring Fest is coming
The Zachary High Ag Spring Fest is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a shop will be in the school greenhouse. Attendees can expect games, a petting zoo, face painting, ag crafts, Easter egg hunts and more. Concessions will be sold. Cost is $5 a person. Under age 2 is free.
Register for baseball
Spring baseball registration is Feb. 17 to March 13. The fee is $75. Practices are March 31 to April 24, and games are April 28 to June 5. Divisions include T-ball ages 4-6 and coaches’ pitch 6-8, 10 under, 12 under and 14 under April 30 is cut off date for age determination. Register at www.zacharyyouthpark.org.
Also, coaches and assistant coaches are needed.
Bunny Hop coming
The Zachary Rotary Club is hosting the Rotary Bunny Hop 2025 on March 22 near Lee and Virginia streets.
The 1-mile run/walk is at 8 a.m. and the 5K run/walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Register at runsignup.com/ Race/LA/Zachary/ZacharyRotaryBunnyHop.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
School Board honors achievers
BY OLIVIA McCLURE Contributing writer
At its Feb. 4 meeting, the Zachary Community School Board recognized students, teachers and others for recent achievements.
Schools Superintendent Ben Necaise praised each of the board’s nine members for completing annual trainings. He also acknowledged January as School Board Member Appreciation Month.
School Board members Gaynell Young and Crystal London were honored for earning the designation of
certified school board members in 2024. Jessica Brister, director of early childhood and elementary programs, recognized members of the Zachary Early Childhood Network who achieved high performance marks The network is made up of 11 early learning centers, 10 community child care centers and the Zachary Early Learning Center Organizations honored included ZELC, St Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, Universal Children’s Learning Academy Kidz Carousel Bright Beginnings, Early Steps
Learning and Rising Starz. Sa’Lynn Woodside, a Zachary High School student who won the April Dunn Youth of the Year Award, was recognized for her work as an advocate for the blind and visually impaired. She has led awareness activities at her school. The board recognized Regena Beard, a Copper Mill Elementary School teacher who won a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She was nominated for the award four years
ABOVE: Four pairs of Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society members demonstrate a dance from the Regency Period at a Jane Austen event recently at the Audubon Commemorative Site. RIGHT: Visitors join the members for a lesson on the dance floor
PHOTOS BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
ABOVE: Members of the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society teach guests to dance. RIGHT: Roxanne Struppeck, dance mistress, invites visitors to be brave enough to get on the dance floor
Attilio Romero helps fill a hole after planting trees recently on Mount Pleasant Road.
Historic
and
Twirl time
Group shares passion for dancing styles of years past with classes, educational events
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Dancing is fun — good for the body and soul — and shows courage?
Studies show that physical exercise, like dancing, is beneficial as is the accompanying mental exertion for the brain, like learning and remembering the steps. Then there’s simply the chance for romance. Some agree with Jane Austen (whose 250th birthday will be celebrated this year), who says in “Pride and Prejudice,” “To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.”
Look at the popularity of recent period movies and the series “Sanditon” and “Bridgerton” with scenes of dance and romance — for example. As for the courage mentioned above, dance mistress Roxanne Struppeck said it is needed for the
page 2G
PROVIDED BY PHOTO BY MANDY BRADLEY School Board members Crystal London, from left, and Gaynell Young, with Zachary schools Superintendent Ben Necaise, are honored at a Feb 4 meeting for earning the designation of certified school board members.
Lagniappe
Dance
Pastime Society members of all ages line up for a dance.
ä See ACHIEVERS, page 2G
DOTD changing Greenwood Park, zoo traffic flow
Community news report
BREC is asking visitors to the Baton Rouge Zoo and Greenwood Community Park to be aware of new traffic directions. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has installed northbound and southbound “no left turn” signs on the traffic signals at the new entrance to Greenwood Park and the zoo on La. 19 at Rafe Mayer Road. The signs are to mitigate traffic impact to northbound and southbound thru-traffic on La. 19, as intersection improvements are set for 2026, a news release said. Improvements will include new dedicated northbound and southbound turn lanes, along with a northbound right-turn into both parks. Other improvements include extensive new pavement markings, new highway pavement, new right-of-way on the east side (Greenwood Park side) and new traffic signalization Improvements are funded by the DOTD through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, the release said. Until its completion, southbound drivers visiting Greenwood Community Park and Baton Rouge Zoo are encouraged to turn left on Lavey Lane to Sunshine Road (about 1.5 miles), then turn right onto Thomas Road. From Thomas Road, drivers can turn right on La. 19 and proceed to the Greenwood Park/zoo entrance for a right turn.
“As important as our safety for visitors within the zoo, we want their route to and from the park to be just as safe and efficient as well,” said Jim Fleshman, director of Baton Rouge Zoo. “We ask that you please be patient with the construction in the next year as we continue to improve the experience for all.”
In 2026, BREC will be adding a new entry drive to Greenwood Park and the zoo on Lavey Lane that will create an additional ingress and egress option to mitigate traffic inside and outside of Greenwood Park and the zoo. For updates, visit greenwoodparkandbrzoo.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
CASA’s newly sworn in volunteers from the January training session with Judge Adam Haney include, from left, back row, Michelle Moore, Caitlyn Thompson, Rex Cabiniss, Olivier Doin, Karen Gross, Agostino Buono, London Fougerouse, Judge Adam Haney; and front row, Lauren Reddinger, Rachel Beach, Brooke Coogan, Ammarah Thomas, Jenna Jaureguy Not pictured are Camryn Conner, Karmesha Jackson and Denise Joseph
15 sworn in as CASA volunteers after completing January class
Community news report
Capital Area Court Appointed Special Advocates welcomed a new class of volunteers
On Jan. 29, 15 people were officially sworn in as CASA volunteers by Judge Adam Haney Each volunteer will be appointed to advocate for the best interests of an abused child for the next 18 months. Even snow couldn’t stop these dedicated volunteers. When three nights of training were canceled because of the weather, they all continued the class online using the online training module so they would be on track to being sworn in.
On the final evening of a 32-hour training course, which prepares CASA volunteers for their advocacy work, they all lifted their right hand and swore to uphold the duties of a CASA volunteer Once assigned to cases, the volunteers will help to eliminate the waiting list of children who need an advocate and will work to help abused and
neglected children reach safe homes with forever families, according to a news release. The new advocates include Michelle Moore, Caitlyn Thompson, Rex Cabiniss, Olivier Doin, Karen Gross, Agostino Buono, London Fougerouse, Lauren Reddinger, Rachel Beach, Brooke Coogan, Ammarah Thomas, Jenna Jaureguy, Camryn Conner, Karmesha Jackson and Denise Joseph
Though CASA now has new advocates, the program still needs volunteers to reach their goal of serving every child in East Baton Rouge Parish who needs a voice. CASA is accepting people into its next volunteer training class, a three-day boot camp that begins April 3-5. No special background is required to become a CASA volunteer The first step to getting involved is to attend an orientation by phone or Zoom. To register for an orientation, volunteers can visit www.casabr.org/volunteer For information call (225) 379-8598 or email volunteer@casabr.org.
ZACHARY POLICE BOOKINGS
The following people were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison or issued a summons by the Zachary Police Department from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5: JAKAYLA BRODEN: 26; 3002 E. Mason Ave., No. 4, Baton Rouge; theft COREY FORD: 41; 8050 Lower Zachary Road, Zachary; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
MARK GUILLORY: 38; 2816 Market St., Jackson; theft STARSHA KING: 40; 18733 Samuels Road, Zachary; improper supervision of a minor by parent or legal custodian-
penalty WARREN LEJEUNE: 31; 4980 Lower Zachary Road, Apt. 58, Zachary; fugitive warrant from West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office KEVIN MCMANUS: 60; 30093 Walker N. Road, Walker; simple battery
STIRGUS SANTORIS: 29; 6000 West Rayford Road, The Woodlands, Texas; theft DACQUAN WHITSON: 23; 14005 Oak Bend Drive, Baker; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, possession of schedule II, illegal carrying of weapons with controlled dangerous substance
its meeting Feb
ACHIEVERS
Continued from page 1G
ago; to win, she had to go through an extensive application process and a few rounds of semifinals. The board also presented medals to high school students who earned
MYRTLES
Continued from page 1G
On planting day, Attilio Romero, a fourth grader at Zachary Elementary and recipient of the Zachary Elementary ParentTeacher Organization Councilmember of the Day fundraiser, participated in the event. Attilio had the opportunity to shadow council member Ambre DeVirgilio and assist in planting the trees. McDavid and several community members also took part, ensuring the project’s success. While planting, Attilio and Mc-
a 30 or above on the ACT test. Students recognized included Leila Alexander, Jeauzie Allen, Anna Beauchamp, Vincent Bodine, Noah Carter, Parker Castleberry, Kate Cornelius, Chloe Delee, Evelyn Deroche, Lillie Derouen, Chandler Duggan, Carter Durand, Mae Edel, Phoebe Fannin, Rafael Filogonio Costa, Elizabeth Gaines, Ruby
David collected litter from the medians, reinforcing the importance of keeping Zachary clean and beautiful.
“Teaching children the value of volunteering at a young age is essential to our future,” said McDavid. “Keep Louisiana Beautiful mentors youth and citizens alike through programs such as Love the Boot Week, where individuals and groups statewide demonstrate their commitment to cleaner healthier communities.”
Zachary’s Love the Boot Cleanup Event is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 8. Efforts will focus on cleaning up the Avenues area of Zachary Updates will be made on Facebook.
DANCING
Continued from page 1G
“gentlemen” do their duty and step up to dance with all the “ladies,” who, generally speaking, always desire to dance.
Struppeck said when she invited the audience to join the dancing at an Austen event held recently, men bravely responded. Soon the dancers were bowing and curtsying, whirling, twirling, weaving, patting and clapping hands and sometimes sashaying.
Struppeck belongs to the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society “We are a group that loves history and having fun and we participate as a hobby,” she said. It was after the group demonstrated several dances, some of which might be found in Thompson’s Dance book of 1776, that she shared a few historical dance rules of Austen’s time. She said unattached men in the Regency Period’s polite society were expected to be chivalrous and do their duty, which was to ask as many of the single women known to them to dance — to prevent wallflowers.
The group was originally named Feliciana Vintage Dancers and “began dancing under the instruction of Craig Kaster at the Train Depot in Zachary,” Struppeck said. “When Craig quit dancing, I stepped in to fill his shoes, not an easy task. We miss him greatly,” she said. Around late 2020 or early 2021, the group decided to change the name to Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society “in order to encompass our broader goals and to distinguish ourselves,” she added. As the name says, “We do more than just dancing,” she added. Society members play and demonstrate historical games like the card game of whist, pick-upsticks and shut-the-box, which is a dice game. Outdoor games include croquet, flying graces, hoops-and-sticks and some archery They perform at historical
events and educational venues mostly in the greater Baton Rouge area, in St. Francisville and New Orleans, she said. Audience participation is part of the program. Some of the places where they have performed for educational and commemorative events are Audubon Historic Site, Port Hudson, the Rural Life Museum, Magnolia Mound and Destrehan Plantation.
“We wear period costumes and dance the dances and play games that reflect the historic time on which the event is focused,” Struppeck said. Recorded period music is played for the dances. The three time periods the group represents are colonial, late 18th century; regency, early 19th century; and romantic/Civil War period, mid-19th century, she said.
Members sew or buy their costumes, shoes and props, Struppeck said.
The society doesn’t have a “formal membership nor do we collect dues or charge for instruction/participation,” Struppeck said. Society members go as often as they want to weekly historical dance classes, with attendance generally eight to 15, though sometimes more.
The class was moved to the Zachary Community Center as it grew and needed more space, she said. It is now from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the PrideChaneyville Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library
The annual masquerade ball is planned for March 7. Formal attire from any time period is required, but masks are optional. It will include “beautiful, delicious food to share,” potluck-style but on fine china with crystal, Struppeck said.
Following the meal will be “three sets of dances as noted in the provided dance cards,” she said.
Struppeck said it “is definitely a hobby enjoyed by dedicated folks.”
Those interested in attending the dance classes, which are free and open to the public, can call Struppeck at (225) 202-6044 for information.
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
There will also be the Zachary Farmers Market and the Lane Regional Medical Center Foundation annual Chili Cook-Off.
Charity golf tournament
The Baker Community Charity Golf Tournament is April 11 with an 8 a.m. start time at BREC Bea-
ver Creek Golf Course, 110 PlainsPort Hudson Road, in Zachary Visit tinyurl.com/vft8aw4k or contact latoya@bakercoco.com or (225) 412-4311 for details or to sign up Make a check payable to Baker Chamber of Commerce, 3439 Groom Road, Baker, LA 70714.
Send news and events for the Zachary area to zachary@ theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
Gehling, Evelyn Godbold, Nathan Gomila, Lucas Hernandez, Madison Lea, Shelby Mansur, Emma Martinez, Katherine McCrary, Ethan Nelson, William Nelson, Tina Nguyen, Amara Nwabueze, Jack Prejean, Jon Richard, Lilly Richard, Madelyn Snyder, Ryan Venable, Cole Walters, Jacob Walters and Dominic Young.
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Some of the members of the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society at a recent Jane Austen event are Jaclyn, from left, Jaynie, Johnny and Jayson Moffett; Stephen, Bobby and Roxanne Struppeck; Chris Hilton, Sarah Robertson, Elizabeth Hilton, Rachel Struppeck; and first row, Patricia Ladut and Courtney Hilton.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Zachary Mayor David McDavid and Attilio Romero, the Councilmember of the Day fundraiser recipient, pick up litter during a recent tree-planting
PROVIDED PHOTO BY MANDY BRADLEY
At
4, 2025, the Zachary Community School Board honors high school students who earned
Baker mayor appointed to Small Cities Council
Community news report
Baker Mayor Darnell
Waites has been appointed to the National League of Cities 2025 Small Cities Council.
Waites was elected to a one-year term to develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities, a news release said. The appoint-
ment was announced by NLC
President Steve Patterson, mayor of Athens, Ohio.
“Lea ding a small city comes with unique challenges, but also incredible opportunities. With years of experience
as both a city administrator and a three-term mayor, I understand the importance of strong leadership, collaboration, and innovative solutions. Serving on the NLC Member Council allows me to help shape policies that empower small cities to thrive and ensure our communities have the resources they need to grow and prosper,” Waites said.
Zachary brothers have success
Community news report
Jack and Jacob LeBlanc, of Zachary recently had two artistic endeavors.
The pair wrote a book about the January snow in Zachary and how much fun they had. They even stapled it themselves It’s available at the Zachary Branch Library Jack and Jacob also each had pieces in the fifth annual Swamp Art Spectacular, shown at the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center in Baton Rouge.
art A page from inside the book
with
Georgia Institute of Technology
Justin Manuel, of Zachary, has earned a Master of science degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Manuel was among approximately 6,400 undergraduate and graduate students to be presented Georgia Tech degrees during the 267th commencement exercises Dec. 12-14 at McCamish Pavilion and Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Upper Iowa University
Erica Callegari and Takyra Guinn, both of Zachary, have been named to the Upper Iowa University Dean’s List for the 2024 fall semester
To be honored a student must have earned a minimum 3.5 GPA and be enrolled as a full-time student.
Southern New Hampshire University
Malyshia Lagard, Amber Quinn, Rolanda Williams and Brooke Williams, all of Zachary, were named to Southern New Hampshire University’s fall 2024 President’s List.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.7 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List.
Candice Means and Sean Paek, both of Zachary, were named to the fall 2024 Dean’s List.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.5 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List.
Thewinterseasonisacommontrigger for seasonal and indoor allergies,aswellas asthma andeczema flare-ups. At Lane Allergy,Asthma &Immunology, weprovide comprehensivediagnosis and treatmentfor allergies, asthmaand skin disorders forbothchildren and adults.
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University in Natchitoches named students on the honor list for the fall 2024 semester Students on the honor list must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a GPA of between 3.0 and 3.49.
Students from the region include:
Ascension Parish
Geismar: Benjamin Clingfost Gonzales: Milayah Ealey
Prairieville: Hope Beason, Faith Colligan, Elizabeth Fellows, Ty Robin
Sorrento: Savannah Struppeck
Livingston Parish
Denham Springs: Ethan Hand, Karlee Wysinger
Walker: Alexa Metternich
Tangipahoa Parish
Hammond: Suzanne Blake
Po nc ha to ul a: Ave ry
Pritchard
West Feliciana Parish
St. Francisville: Bennett Clement, Brycen Kennedy, Jamie Kerr, Morgan Simpson, Bradie Villemarette
East Baton Rouge Parish
Greenwell Springs: Jordyn Ponvelle, Molly Vance
Zachary: LaShonda Brown, Alexis Callihan, Sarah Graves, Devin Naqvi
University of Mississippi
Amelia Allemond, of Zachary, was named to the University of Mississippi’s fall 2024 Dean’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-3.74. A student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and not on academic probation during the semester
Mississippi College
Mississippi College announced its honor rolls for the fall 2024 semester
To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must maintain a 4.0 GPA and be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit with all academic courses impacting their GPA.
To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must maintain a 3.5 GPA and take at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit.
President’s List students from the region include:
Ascension Parish
Prairieville: Mia Foster, Lydia Barrow, Cheryl Poche
Frannie Barrier, of Zachary was named to the University of Alabama President’s List for fall semester 2024. The President’s List recognizes an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s) who are full-time undergraduate students. Community staff reports
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Jack and Jacob LeBlanc wrote a book about the January snow in Zachary and how much fun they had.
Jack and Jacob LeBlanc, of Zachary, have art on exhibit at the fifth annual Swamp Art Spectacular at the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center Waites
PROVIDED PHOTO BY MELANIE ANDERSON
The Zachary High Belles dance team took second place in Division 1 Small Varsity Kick Universal Dance Association Nationals. From left, first row, are Lillie Derouen, Ja’myrea Foreman, Armiyah Day, Nyllah Allen, Abigail Thompson and Leila Alexander; second row, Melanie Anderson, Kiersten Popillion, Kaitlyn Peterson Maliah Wells, Annalise Anderson, Macy McPherson, Madelyn Manor Mimi Allen and Jeanne Norwood; and third row, Aubri Scott, Kaitlyn Montgomery Nylah Craig, Avery O’Neal, Bryleigh Butler and Khloe Sanders.
Zachary High Belles win second at Nationals
Community news report
Zachary High Belles dance team took second place in Division 1 Small Varsity Kick Universal Dance Association Nationals earlier this month in Orlando, Florida. The annual competition is considered to be the most
prestigious high school national championship in the country and an opportunity for dance teams to get together and celebrate each other at the Walt Disney World Resort, a news release said. The two-time National Championship-winning Zachary Belles were the
2023 UDA Large Varsity High Kick National Champions and the 2024 UDA Large Varsity Hip Hop National Champions.
They are coached by Melanie Anderson, Jeanne Norwood and Mimi Allen with choreography by Nicholas Clement.
Copper Mill Elementary student is Zachary Superintendent for a Day
Community news report
Before the holiday break, the Zachary Community School District welcomed Copper Mill Elementary School student Ruby Hood as its “Superintendent for a Day.”
Ruby spent time around the district, meeting with the main office staff, school administrators, teachers, staff and students. She even made a call to Copper Mill Elementary Principal Lia WhiteAllen requesting a free dress day and presented Northwestern Middle Principal Rebecca Brian and Zachary Elementary Principal Megan Noel with Pack the Pantry trophies.
Ruby also visited the Zachary High academic Athletic Center and fed a baby goat in the ag department.
“Superintendent of the Day” is an annual auction item at ZEPTO’s Fall Fest
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PROVIDED PHOTO Ruby Hood presents a Pack the Pantry trophy to Northwestern Middle Principal Rebecca Brian during Ruby’s day as superintendent of Zachary schools.
