DENHAM SPRINGS TEAM TAKES A POLAR PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS ä Page 2G
ADVOCATE THE HE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
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DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND • PONCHATOULA
THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2015 H
THEADVOCATE.COM
Christine Morgan AROUND LIVINGSTON CMARCENEAUX@ THEADVOCATE.COM
Immaculate Conception to host altar Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 865 Hatchell Lane, Denham Springs, will host a St. Joseph’s Mass at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by the Blessing of the St. Joseph’s Altar. Feeding of the Saints will be at 11 a.m. Saturday. The altar will be on display from noon to 3 p.m. Friday. Call Rosie Moak at (225) 664-0070.
Hilliard autographs
LSU Tiger Kenny Hilliard will sign free autographs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Chuck’s Field of Dreams Sports, 28550 La. 43, Albany. Autographs will be limited to one per person, and a $5 fee will be charged for any items dropped off. Those attending the signing will be able to take pictures, meet Hilliard and receive a free autograph.
Actor’s studio offers hands-on experience BY CHRISTINE MORGAN
break from the cold weather before heading back out after 6 p.m. to continue shooting a HOLDEN — Actors, crew mem- scene involving “flipped� cars. “We’re on our 17th day, and bers and production staff gathered at John Schneider Studios we’ve had someone every day on March 5 following a full day (here to help),� Schneider said of shooting scenes around Liv- about the volunteers who have ingston Parish for Schneider’s signed up to work on the film in newest project: three, 30-min- exchange for receiving handson instruction — a rare opporute films. With the project one day clos- tunity for many trying to break er to fruition, the group took a into the movie industry. cmarceneaux@theadvocate.com
It didn’t take long for Schneider to realize that the partnership — a marriage of students and film industry veterans — was a perfect fit for his studio. It “was a great opportunity to get people to come do work for free,â€? he said. “And, it helps the communiAdvocate staff photo by CHRISTINE MORGAN ty’s spirit,â€? he said. Schneider started the Loui- Don Shanks, left, and John Schneider, of John Schneider studios, film a scene March 5 as they mentor locals who hope to äSee STUDIO, page 3G break into the movie industry.
ROPING RODEO AT THE
Jambalaya cook-off
The seventh annual Colyell Community Jambalaya Cook-Off will be Saturday at Colyell Ballpark on Perrilloux Road. Contestants must furnish their ingredients and supplies, organizers said. Ingredients can be precut, they said. Participants must cook a minimum of 3 pounds of rice or more and may use pork, chicken and sausage. All cooking entrants need to be at the ballpark by 7:30 a.m., and burners are to be lit no earlier than 8 a.m., organizers said. Judges’ plates will be turned in at noon. Categories to be judged are taste, texture and color. Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place. All jambalaya dishes will be donated to the public. Contestants will be under a covered pavilion and on concrete. Door prizes will be drawn for cooks. Participants are asked to bring tables and chairs. To register, call (225) 6986673 or (225) 276-9241.
Advocate staff photo by HEATHER MCCLELLAND
Syndi White, of Walker, competes in the breakaway roping event at the Southeast High School Rodeo in the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center on Saturday.
Central man teaches students about overcoming disabilities BY CHRISTINE MORGAN
cmarceneaux@theadvocate.com
Ceremonial Seder
Celebrate a Ceremonial Seder at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 30300 Catholic Hall Road, Albany. The cost is $15 per person, and reservations are required by Sunday, organizäSee AROUND, page 2G
Advocate staff photo by CHRISTINE MORGAN
Denham Springs Junior High School students, from left, Mason Henry, 12; Christian Kayda, 12; and Kyree’ Davis, 12, watch Shane Smith use a Braille machine March 5 during a presentation at the school. The students listened to Smith, who is blind, talk about his disability. Sixth-grade students had just read a lesson about Helen Keller.
DENHAM SPRINGS — Victoria Landry and Melanie Key, both sixth-grade students at Denham Springs Junior High, said they would either avoid people with disabilities or treat them differently. That was before they met Shane Smith on March 5 during a presentation at the school. Smith is a 32-year-old blind man who talked with students about his disability, the challenges he’s faced and how he’s overcome them. “He showed us that he is no
different than us,� Melanie said. “He helped us understand that even though you have a problem, you can get through life,� Victoria said. Smith, of Central, became blind as an infant and has undergone seven eye surgeries. He has learned to read Braille and perform a multitude of daily tasks to live a full life with his challenges, Principal Bryan Wax said. Flanked by his parents, Smith told students he enjoys playing Wii and Nintendo games, a fact that surprised many of the students.
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While he didn’t say much, he did ask students one question: “Is God with us?â€? Smith assured students that he is and that when things go wrong, don’t ask why but know that “God is using you for his glory.â€? After hearing Smith, sixthgrader TrĂŠ Steed, 12, was inspired to never give up on his dreams, he said. “I feel he’s just such an inspiration,â€? TrĂŠ said following the presentation. “He can do everything we can do.â€? The students had just finäSee DISABILITIES, page 4G