Educators, schools, students honored
Community news report
Livingston Parish Public Schools
recently honored its top students and professionals at its Recognition of Excellence Ceremony.
Award recipients included school-level winners, as well as overall district winners. The ceremony was held at the Walker High School gymnasium. Nearly 500 school leaders, students parents and community members attended.
The district top winners included the following:
n Elementary Student of the
Year: Piper Howes, Holden Elementary; Middle School Student of the Year: Christopher Godso, III, North Corbin Junior High; and High School Student of the Year: Zachary McMenis, Live Oak High School.
n Principals of the Year: Elementary Principal of the Year: Joshua Martin, French Settlement Elementary; Middle School Principal of the Year: Justin Wax, Denham Springs Junior High; and High School Principal of the Year: John
Mobile breast cancer screening coming April 11
required, and appointments are strongly encouraged.
Darlene Denstorff AROUND
The coach will stop at RKM Primary Care in Springfield on April 11. Call (225) 395-8022 to schedule. Visit Mandy’s Primary Healthcare in Denham Springs on April 21 for the screening. Call (225) 791-2400 to schedule.
For more information including the full mammography coach schedule, visit Womans. org.
Lenten gumbo Friday
Dine on seafood gumbo or chicken and sausage gumbo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 11 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 726 Maple St., Denham Springs. The gumbo is $10 per plate. For information, call (225) 6652707 or email stfrancisgumbo. square.site.
Income tax help available
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is providing free tax preparation assistance at the Southeastern Livingston Center in Walker through April 15. For eligibility guidelines, other information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.cauw.org/ VITA or call (225) 923-2114.
Amite art workshop, exhibition
The Amite Arts Council is sponsoring an adult art workshop Saturday, April 12
Registration is underway at Amite City Hall There is a $10 registration fee. The workshop will be held in
the Amite Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday There will be a display of the students’ work at 1 p.m. on Friday Admission to the display of the students’ work is free.
Participants will explore creating still life using the grid method as well as a review of oil pastel blending techniques.
The teacher will be talented visual art teacher Jennifer Wheeler
For more information, call Amite City Hall at (985) 7488761.
Farmers market
The Four Seasons Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the city parking lot at Hummel Street and Railroad Avenue. Fresh vegetables, fruits and handmade items are on sale from vendors.
Mark your calendar
n The Denham Springs Spring Festival is set for April 26 in Downtown Denham Springs.
Hundreds of vendors, games, children’s rides, food booths and antique shopping are planned for the day In addition, tour the Old City Hall exhibits and listen to music at the Old Train Station.
n Denham Springs Food Truck
Round Up is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 on Mattie Street. Line up includes Jakes Tacos, Big J’s Side Porch, Hebert’s, JayBrees Goodies and Swamp Daddy’s Kettle Corn.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
Chewning, French Settlement High School.
n Teachers of the Year: Elementary School Teacher of the Year: William Hibbard, South Walker Elementary; Middle School Teacher of the Year: Leslie Patin, Doyle Junior High School; High School Teacher of the Year: Daniel Eiland, Denham Springs High School; and New Teacher of the Year: Noelle Robinson, Live Oak High School. n Livingston Parish Public Schools Support Staff of the Year:
Theresa Bankston, Live Oak High School. All winners, as well as school designation awards, were recognized as follows: n Albany High: Student of the Year Michael Kober; Support Staff of the Year, Ashley Whiddon; and Teacher of the Year, Sarah Smith. The school was named an Opportunity Honoree.
n Albany Lower Elementary: Support Staff of the Year, Jessica Stratton; and Teacher of the Year, Laura Penalber The school was named an Excellent Pre-K Site and Top Gains Honoree.
n Albany Middle School: Student of the Year fifth grade, Morley Bardwell; Student of the Year eighth grade, Abigail Lamy; and Teacher of the Year, Haley Thonn. The school
n Albany Upper Elementary: Support Staff
itz; Teacher
er
and
Arts Center honors members with celebration
Community news report
Hammond Regional Arts Center’s 2025 Members Mixer is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday as part of the opening reception of the new exhibition “A Moment of Stillness” by New Orleans-based artists sculptor Hernán Caro and painter Tina Marie.
The Members Mixer aims to celebrate the HRAC members for supporting the organization’s mission of serving northshore-area residents by making exhibitions, arts educational programming and special events possible in Tangipahoa Parish, a news release said
“As the Hammond Regional Arts Center continues to thrive as a center for artistic expression, this year’s members’ celebration serves as a moment to recognize the individuals who contribute to our arts community,” HRAC
Director Melissa Griffin said
Catered food, signature Champagne cocktails and live music are part of the evening. HRAC members will get a first opportunity to view the “A Moment of Stillness” before the public.
The exhibition features minimalist sculptures by Hernán Caro harmoniously paired with moving abstract paintings by Tina Marie.
In addition, the Hammond Regional Arts Center will present longtime advocate of the arts Pat Macaluso with the HRAC’s Lifetime Board Member distinction award She, along with fellow charter member Denise TullierHolly will be given special recognition for their more than 40 years of service to the community through the Hammond Regional Arts Center mission Macaluso and Tullier-Holly are long supporters of the cultural efforts in the Hammond area and key players among the founding members of the HRAC — formerly the Hammond Cultural Foundation who helped get the nonprofit organization off the ground 43 years ago.
“We as the organization and as community members who have reaped the benefit of their work cannot thank them enough for their commitment to promoting the arts in our region,” Griffin said.
Following the Members Mixer, community members are invited to the public reception for “A Moment of Stillness” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Arts Center, at 217 East Thomas Street in Hammond
The exhibition will remain on display at HRAC through May 22.
Research station hosting Spring Garden Day, sale
Community news report
The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station’s fourth annual Spring Garden Day and Plant Sale is set from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12 at the Hammond Research Station, 21549 Old Covington Highway, Hammond.
This is a rain or shine, family-friendly free event. A selection of plants, including Louisiana Super Plants, annual bedding, pollinator plants tropical plants, houseplants, herbs, veggies, trees and shrubs, will be available.
There will also be educational sessions covering sustainable landscape design, pest control, edible gardening, lawn care, and research updates from LSU AgCenter specialists. Tangipahoa Master Gardeners will be hosting fun children’s activities, a small plant sale, plant swap, education booths and a garden shop. The Hammond High School Boosters club will be selling refreshments. For more information about activities and event schedule, visit https://tinyurl.com/y6sbrxm4.
KHB sets Love the Boot cleanup
Community news report
Keep Hammond Beautiful is taking part in statewide clean-up efforts with a Love the Boot Cleanup on April 12 in downtown Hammond. Volunteers are asked to meet in the green space at the 300 block of Southwest Railroad Avenue, across the tracks by Cate Street Seafood Station. The cleanup is set from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. For information or to register, email keephammondbeautiful@gmail.com.
Community news report
The 53rd annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival kicks off Friday celebrating everything strawberry Festival chair Tristen Miller said in addition to rides, games, a parade, food and music, the festival’s stars — the
SALZER
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regional round win over the Chargers to pick up the program’s first playoff win. In addition to U-High and Madison Prep, the Lions competed with Donaldsonville, Glen Oaks and Istrouma to earn their first district title They also had three bowlers selected for postseason honors Carson Childers and Cain Dempster were first team all district, and Bradley Bergeron was second team. Those three will represent French Settlement in an all district tournament scheduled for Saturday, May
3, at All Star Lanes in Baton Rouge.
“These kids have worked so hard, they deserve the recognition,” Willie said. “Out of 10 bowlers, eight of them are sophomores, so we’ve got two more years of them working their magic.” So far, there have been lots of strikes and very few spares for the Lions bowling team.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the LivingstonTangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Prek4 through 8th grade
Partnering with parents to educate the whole child in a caring, Catholic community
faith
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Billy Taylor presented the Shark Team with
resolution of commendation.Attending front center is Taylor and front row from left, Alexa Rodriguez,
Rendon-Garces
Sanders,
Farrell, Shark Team sponsor Mark Zweig, Parish President Randy Delatte and Councilman Ricky Goff; and back row, Council members Erin Sandefur, John Mangus, John Wascom, Ryan Chavers, Dean Coats, Joe Erdey and Lonny Watts. Shark Team members not pictured are
Denham Springs High Shark Team members Khadija Henni and Adalyn Farrell review the software their team developed that provides information about the condition of Lake Maurepas.
PROVIDED PHOTO
French Settlement’s bowling team includes, first row from left, Paige Fennell, Olivia Williford Bennie Harger, Chanler Fontenot and Cain Dempster; and second row Claire Fennell, Bradley Bergeron,
Childers.
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Student of the Year, Felix Flores; Support Staff of the Year, Mary Gosserand; Teacher of the Year, Shyla Cohran; and New Teacher of the Year, Maegan Spence. The school was named an Excellent Pre-K Site, Excellence in Attendance and Top Gains Honoree
n Denham Springs Junior High: Student of the Year Lexie Richardson; Support Staff of the Year, Kimberly Byrd; Teacher of the Year, Shelby Berry; and New Teacher of the Year, Madison Bowman Leger The school was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n Doyle Elementary: Student of the Year, Liam Harrison; Support Staff of the Year, Melissa McDonald; Teacher of the Year Kirsten Bourgeois; and New Teacher of the Year, Lauren Canady; The school was named an Excellent Pre-K Site and Top Gains Honoree.
n Doyle High School: Student of the Year eighth grade, Reese Patin; Student of the Year 12th grade, Alexander Aucoin; Support Staff of the Year, Dayna Ferguson; Teacher of the Year grades 9-12, Shannon Gautreau; Teacher of the Year grades 6-8, Leslie Patin; and New Teacher of the Year, Ashlie Byrnes. The school was awarded for Excellence in Attendance.
n Eastside Elementary: Student of the Year Katie Chavez; Support Staff of the Year, Alan Avants; Teacher of the Year, Britney Romito; and New Teacher of the Year Summer Rogers. The school was named an Excellent Pre-K Site, Excellence in Attendance, Opportunity Honoree and Top Gains Honoree.
n French Settlement Elementary: Student of the Year, Anna Phares; Support Staff of the Year, Cathy Ellis; and Teacher of the Year, Kristy Poche The school was named an Excellent PreK Site, Top Gains Honoree.
n French Settlement High School: Student of the Year eighth grade, Dani Delhommer; Student of the Year 12th grade, Mason Hill; Support Staff of the Year, Sarah Childers; and Teacher of the Year, Colton Vickers The school was honored for the Highest DCAI Index: 148.0, and as an Opportunity Honoree.
n Maurepas High School: Student of the Year fifth grade, Rylynn DeLacerda; Student of the Year eighth grade, Sophie Rodriguez; Student of the Year 12th grade, Mackenzie Hutson; Support Staff of the Year, Tiffany Miller; Teacher of the Year, Jessica Janis; and Teacher of the Year, Jeanne Mayers.
n Freshwater Elementary: Student of the Year, Kylie Branagan; Support Staff of the Year, Lisa Varnado; Teacher of the Year, Beryl Britt; and New Teacher of the Year, Meghan Fuchs.
n Frost School: Student of the Year fifth grade, Jesse Wise; Student of the Year eighth grade, Reice Berthelot; Support Staff of the Year, Angelle Ellenberger; and Teacher of the Year, Paullena McMorris. The school was named an Excellent PreK Site, Opportunity Honoree and Top Gains Honoree.
n Gray’s Creek Elementary: Student of the Year, Lola Wilson; Support Staff of the Year, Tammy Davis; and Teacher of the Year, Nicole Osborne.
n Holden School: Student of the Year fifth grade, Piper Howes; Student of the Year eighth grade, Evan Lam-
bert; Student of the Year 12th grade, Edward Queen; Teacher of the Year, Paige Hymel. The school received the Highest Assessment Index for High School: 90.6; Highest Progress Index for High School: 108.4; and was a Top Gains Honoree
n Juban Parc Elementary: Student of the Year, Emery Mefford; Support Staff of the Year, Jean Moore; and Teacher of the Year, Alycia Parker The school was named an Excellent Pre-K Site, Opportunity Honoree and Top Gains Honoree.
n Juban Parc Junior High: Student of the Year Shelbie LaPorte; Support Staff of the Year, Katie Coburn; Teacher of the Year, Erika Romero; and New Teacher of the Year, Macie Talbert.
n Levi Milton Elementary: Student of the Year, Jase Clark; Support Staff of the Year, Felicia Walker; and Teacher of the Year, Melinda Sanchez. The school was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n Lewis Vincent Elementary: Student of the Year, Drew Haynes; Support Staff of the Year, Meghan Marcotte; Teacher of the Year, Lindsay Anderson; and New Teacher of the Year, Emily Snider
n Live Oak Elementary: Support Staff of the Year Christian Fasola; and Teacher of the Year, Kindra Williamson. The school was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n Live Oak High School: Student of the Year, Zachary McMenis; Support Staff of the Year Theresa Bankston; Teacher of the Year, Angell Beswetherick; and New Teacher of the Year, Noelle Robinson. The school received the Highest ACT Index: 94.2; Highest Strength of Diploma Index: 138.4; Highest Graduation Cohort Index: 143.5, and was an Opportunity Honoree and Top Gains Honoree.
n Live Oak Junior High: Student of the Year, Chloe Pemberton; Support Staff of the Year, Kandi Neames; and Teacher of the Year, Casey Goodson.
n Live Oak Middle School: Student of the Year, Hayden Howitz; Support Staff of the Year, Knadris Vyvial; and Teacher of the Year, Maria Olivier The school was honored for Excellence in Attendance.
n Livingston Alternative Program: The school received an Exemplar Rating in an alternative program.
n North Corbin Elemen-
tary: Student of the Year, Calliope Wunderlin; Support Staff of the Year, Susie Wheat; Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Rogers; and New Teacher of the Year, Taylar Sanders. The school was named an Excellent Pre-K Site.
n North Corbin Junior High: Student of the Year, Christopher Godso III; Support Staff of the Year, Christi Saltz; Teacher of the Year, Megan Almand; and New Teacher of the Year, Hannah Swetledge. The school was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n North Live Oak Elementary: Support Staff of the Year, Lori Hinton; and Teacher of the Year, Danielle Fennell. The school was named an Excellent Pre-K Site, Highest Progress Index for K-8, Opportunity Honoree and Top Gains Honoree.
n Northside Elementary: Student of the Year, Leah Jacobsen; Support Staff of the Year Tammy Stokes; Teacher of the Year, Hillary Berthelot; and New Teacher of the Year, Debra Branton.
n Pathways: The school received an Exemplar Rating in an alternative program.
n Pine Ridge Alternative Program: The school received an Exemplar Rating in an alternative program.
n Seventh Ward Elementary: Student of the Year, Remi Sweat; Support Staff of the Year, Taylor Doucet; and Teacher of the Year, Callegan Landry The school received Excellence in Attendance and was a Top Gains Honoree
n South Fork Elementary: Student of the Year, Harlee Lenard; Support Staff of the Year Loretta Thompson; Teacher of the Year, Shannon Hamilton; and New Teacher of the Year, Amber Pomares.
n South Live Oak Elementary: Support Staff of the Year, Vanna Letard Dunn; and Teacher of the Year Brittany Kelley The school received Excellence in Attendance, Highest Assessment Index for K-8: 89.2, and was named an Opportunity Honoree and Top Gains Honoree.
n South Walker Elementary: Student of the Year, Alden Michel; Teacher of the Year, William Hibbard; and New Teacher of the Year,
Sara Myrick. The school was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n Southside Elementary: Student of the Year, Phoenix Lathan; Support Staff of the Year, Ericka Durocher; Teacher of the Year, Leah Davis; and New Teacher of the Year, Kate Simmons. The school received Excellence in Attendance and was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n Southside Junior High: Student of the Year, Jonathan McManus; Support Staff of the Year, Sandy Stockton; and Teacher of the Year Heather Williamson.
n Springfield Elementary: Support Staff of the Year, Christina Galle; and Teacher of the Year, Karen Caves. The school was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n Springfield High: Student of the Year, Asia Cox; Support Staff of the Year, Natasha Groce; and Teacher of the Year, Wendi LeBlanc. The school was named an Opportunity Honoree
n Springfield Middle: Student of the Year fifth grade, Cadyn Wall; Student of the Year eight grade, Hadleigh Jenkins; Support Staff of the Year, Kristy Richards; and Teacher of the Year, Dana Fontenot.
n Walker Elementary: Student of the Year, Annabel Cahill; Support Staff of the Year, Victoria Tornabene; Teacher of the Year Kalyn Starns; and New Teacher of the Year, Megan Hall The school was named a Top Gains Honoree.
n Walker High School: Student of the Year, Rhett Pitarro; Support Staff of the Year, Eddie Thomas; Teacher of the Year, Madelyne Tate; and New Teacher of the Year Connor Locke The school was named an Opportunity Honoree.
n Walker Junior High: Student of the Year, Adalyn Salassi; Support Staff of the Year, Joli Davis; Teacher of the Year Robert Perez; and New Teacher of the Year, Victoria McKee.
n Westside Junior High: Student of the Year, Carrington Sprouse; Support Staff of the Year, Rhonda Melancon; Teacher of the Year, Mariela Reyes; and New Teacher of the Year, Charlee Davis. The school was recognized for Excellence in Attendance.
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Livingston Parish Public Schools Principals of the Year from left, Elementary Principal of the Year: Joshua Martin, French Settlement Elementary; Middle School Principal of the Year: Justin Wax, Denham Springs Junior High; and High School Principal of the Year: John Chewning, French Settlement High School.
Livingston Parish Public Schools Students of the Year, pictured left to right: Elementary Student of the Year: Piper Howes, Holden Elementary; Middle School Student of the Year: Christopher Godso, III, North Corbin Junior High; and High School Student of the Year: Zachary McMenis, Live Oak High School.
Livingston Parish Public Schools Support Staff of the Year – Theresa Bankston, Live Oak High School
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Livingston Parish Public Schools Teachers of the Year, from left, New Teacher of the Year, Noelle Robinson, Live Oak High School; Elementary School Teacher of the Year, William Hibbard, South Walker Elementary; Middle School Teacher of the Year Leslie Patin, Doyle Junior High School; and High School Teacher of the Year Daniel Eiland, Denham Springs High School
Deborah
baby
Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries permitted wildlife rehabilitator
rehabilitation
with
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veterinarians experience an influx of animals during this time. These animal experts recommend leaving the babies’ care to their mothers or the professionals Harris, who has been rehabilitating animals in Louisiana for nearly 24 years, said if you find an uninjured baby animal, you should leave it for a few hours before taking action because chances are the mom could be nearby.
“First and foremost, try to reach a wildlife rehabber Unfortunately, there are not many of us, and it can be hard to make contact,” Harris said. If an animal is injured, that’s when you should reach out to a veterinarian.
Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine expects an increase in animals during every spring, said Kimberly Boykin, assistant professor of wildlife medicine and surgery. The animals they receive at the vet school aren’t always injured. Sometimes people bringing in orphaned animals are just trying to figure out what to do with them, Boykin said. The school’s biggest offenders
are typically baby birds who get injured after their first attempts at flying, followed by baby squirrels and bunnies. However,
“The biggest thing that we really want to hone in on and tell people is that mom is going to be so much better at taking care of the baby than we are Their chances of surviving are so much higher, if they’re with mom instead of us.”
KIMBERLY BOYKIN, assistant professor of wildlife medicine and surgery at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
she takes in depends on the amount of help she has. All the state-permitted wildlife rehabilitators do it on a volunteer basis and pay out of pocket for supplies. Harris said she gets four to six calls a day about rehabilitating baby animals during the springtime, and more if the weather has been bad. Harris has over 15 animals she’s rehabilitating at her house, with names ranging from a squirrel called “Sassy” to a raccoon named “Sugar Bear.” Harris releases the animals into an area full of nature after about six to 12 months of caring for them. When asked if she gets attached to the animals she rehabilitates, Harris replied, “yes, unfortunately.”
Honey Bear hides underneath its blanket at Deborah Harris’ home rehabilitation building
Deborah Harris uses a rag to clean a baby raccoon after feeding it.
Deborah Harris pets her only male turtle at her home rehabilitation building
Teddy Bear reaches for the camera.
Deborah Harris feeds a baby raccoon with a syringe.
Deborah Harris tends to the other animals at her home rehabilitation building as Robby walks around his cage
STAFF PHOTOS BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Harris,
for East Baton Rouge, feeds a
raccoon
a syringe at her home
building March 25