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THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 2015
SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA, WEST FELICIANA AND ST. HELENA 1st Year, No. 15
West Feliciana
Teaching lessons that go beyond classroom ‘Leader in Me’ program based on popular book
BY HOWARD ARCENEAUX Special to The Advocate
ST. FRANCISVILLE — Jean Woodside has noticed a difference in her fourth-graders at Bains Elementary School this school year. “When the kids come in each morning, they all have a job, they own the room,” said Woodside. “It makes a huge difference. When they come into the room, they know it’s their responsibility and they take care of it. They’ve learned something that extends into life.” Woodside credits the “Leader In Me” program, which was implemented for Bains Lower and Bains Elementary students earlier in the school year. Leader in Me doesn’t teach students what to think, it teaches them how to think, she said. Based on the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” the program is designed to equip students with the self-confidence and skills needed to thrive in life. It teaches the value of leadership, accountability, adaptability, initiative, cross-cultural skills, problem-solving, communication, creativity and teamwork based on the seven guiding principles outlined in the book and a follow-up, “The Leader in Me.” “At this age, the kids learn they can positively influence others with their actions and to think about being proactive in every situation,” Woodside said. “Children can be leaders.” West Feliciana Superintendent of Schools Hollis Milton credits Bains Lower School Librarian Linda Holmes and Family Service Center Supervisor Bridget Plauche with helping to implement the program. “Linda told me about the program last spring and how it puts a positive imprint on children and after she went to a Leader in äSee PROGRAM, page 5G
INSIDE East Feliciana............4G West Feliciana...........2G St. Helena .................7G Death notices............8G Sports .......................1H
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THEADVOCATE.COM
High school brings back baseball,softball BY STEPHANIE WARREN
St. Helena
Baseball and softball are returning to St. Helena Parish’s high school. St. Helena College and Career Academy Athletic Director and head football coach Brandon Brown worked to bring the sports back for area athletes. Brown said that when he came to St. Helena two years ago, there were very few sports offered at the school — only football, basketball and track. Along with the construction
of the new facilities, one of the things administrators wanted to change was the culture at the school. “We want to help our kids in any avenue that we can. We have wonderful kids at our school, but with St. Helena being a rural community, they don’t have anything to do,” Brown said. “A lot of times, if they have idle time, that’s when they tend to get into trouble. We wanted to eliminate those problems by adding more sports.”
swarren@theadvocate.com
Brown said plans also are in the works for a volleyball program. Superintendent Kelli Joseph said she is excited to offer more athletic programs for the students. “Coach Brown came into St. Helena with a clear vision to develop a robust athletic program for our students that will foster high levels of success on and off the field. He has made significant progress within a very short amount of time,” Joseph said. “Adding baseball and other sports within the athletic program is just another step
he’s taken toward achieving his vision. We are all very proud of his accomplishments.” Physical science teacher Keidron Davis will be the head baseball coach, and eighthgrade math teacher and head basketball coach Daranecia Williams will coach softball. Davis said the program will face challenges. “I have confidence in our kids to succeed and I know they will exhibit good sportsmanship,” Davis said. Williams is a St. Helena Central High School alumna who played softball at the school.
“I think this is a great thing for our girls; they always ask what more can they do,” Williams said. With the school starting the league from the bottom, Brown said they will be reaching out to the community for help with getting the plans in motion. During its Jan. 12 meeting, the Police Jury voted to grant the school access to Charlie Overton Park in Greensburg for practices. Equipment for the program is needed, Brown said, and any äSee PROGRAMS, page 8G
ANNUAL LIVESTOCK SHOW SHOWCASES 4-H,FFA IN FELICIANAS
Clayton Daniel, 15, a ninthgrader from West Feliciana, was Premier Exhibitor award winner with her Boer goat during Saturday’s Feliciana 4-H and Future Farmers of America Livestock Show in St. Francisville.
Alli Spillman, 14, a ninthgrader from West Feliciana Parish, gets ready to show her pig at the Livestock Show held Saturday in St. Francisville.
Cade Dubois, a 17-yearold West Feliciana High School senior from Angola, tends to his pig during the livestock show.
A little 4-H fun
Advocate photos by HOWARD ARCENEAUX
BY HOWARD ARCENEAUX
Some of the students, like 12-year-old Callie DeLee and her 9-year-old brother Trevor, have The Feliciana 4-H and Future been involved with showing aniFarmers of America partnered mals for most of their lives. In to host the annual mini-farm and fact, Meredith DeLee, the mother livestock show Jan. 16-17 at the of Callie and Trevor, is West FeliWest Feliciana Sports Park Barn. ciana’s assistant extension agent, Eighty-two students from East and she was a big part of why this and West Feliciana competed in a year’s event went so smoothly. She host of animal show categories for had help, like Leanna Cupit, East beef and dairy cattle, goats, swine, Feliciana’s assistant extension agent, and many more volunteers. chicken and rabbits.
Special to The Advocate
ä For a list of winners and more photos, see page 1H
“It’s a very personally rewarding activity,” DeLee said. “I feel good by what I’ve done if I get to help kids out. I couldn’t do anything different.” While their mom was busy running Saturday’s competitions, keeping records and handing out ribbons, the younger DeLees were
From left, Adam Wilson, 7, of Baton Rouge; Christian King, 10, of St. Francisville; Ashtyn Wilson, 3, of Zachary; and Kyra King, 11, of St. Francisville; observe newborn chicks.
busy showing their animals. They ook home a haul of blue ribbons: Callie won first place for Hereford Late Junior Yearling Heifers, Champion Hereford Female and non-Brahman Commercial Heifers Class 1. Trevor won first and second place for non-Brahman Commercial Heifers Class 2, Grand Champion Commercial Heifer and ReäSee 4-H, page 2G
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