THINKING OF ADDING A FURRY FRIEND TO YOUR FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY? ADOPTABLE PETS ä Page 2G
ADVOCATE THE HE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
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DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND • PONCHATOULA
THURSDAY DECEMBER 10, 2015 H
THEADVOCATE.COM
DSHS contemplates future JROTC
Darlene Denstorff
BY STEVE HARDY
AROUND LIVINGSTON
shardy@theadvocate.com
DDENSTORFF@ THEADVOCATE.COM
Denham Springs Christmas Parade
Starts 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Blvd.
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Parade begins
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S. Range Ave.
Parade ends
Edgewood Dr.
Tate Rd.
Pete’s Hwy.
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LIVINGSTON — Yellow Jackets may have a chance to become military cadets in the future as school officials consider establishing a Junior ROTC program at Denham Springs High School. Leaders stressed that the process can be lengthy and said they haven’t even determined which branch they will approach to invite on campus.
The Army seems an unlikely partner, as that branch has currently reached its JROTC funding limit, according to the Army website. The parish’s only other program, at Walker High, is affiliated with the Marines, and principal Jason St. Pierre praised the effect it’s had on campus in its first three years. “They’re strictly implementing Marine Corps principles in the program. ... (The cadets)
have standards they have to meet behaviorally and academically,” he said, adding that the desire to remain in JROTC has kept some students from dropping out. Schools do have to invest in the program though, providing classrooms, office space, an area to practice marching and an armory, St. Pierre said. The Marines also require a secure shooting range for air rifles, which Walker does not yet have
but is building as part of their ongoing expansion, he added. The Navy application makes no mention of firing ranges but asks several questions about campus computer resources. The Air Force would require a school the size of Denham Springs High to field at least 100 cadets. Schools are also responsible for paying half the salary of two officers to serve as instructors, one commissioned and one
non-commissioned, St. Pierre explained. School Board Vice President Buddy Mincey said he’d like to establish a program as soon as next year but admitted that working with the federal government, the process may take a bit longer. Superintendent John Watson noted the decision does not just rely on the school — the military branch will have to agree to the partnership as well.
HOLIDAY
SPIRIT ROLLS ON
Kiwanis parade set for Denham Springs The Denham Springs Kiwanis Christmas Parade starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, rolling down Range Avenue and passing through the Antique & Arts Village.
Advocate staff photos by HILARY SCHEINUK
Riders Shaylin Guilliams, 10, left, and Matyson Turner, 10, Jokester Rubin Molliere, of the Backroad Buggies, drives his dune buggy dubbed ‘Half Fast’ in the Walker Christmas Parade on Saturday on Burgess Avenue in Walker. throw candy to paradegoers.
Senior line dancers perform
Senior line dance group The YaYas will perform in costume to Christmas favorites such as “Feliz Navidad,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Papa Noel,” “Little Saint Nick” and other popular Christmas songs this holiday season. THURSDAY: 10:30 a.m., Ollie Steele Burden Manor, 4250 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge DEC. 17: 10 a.m., Carrington Place, 8225 Summa Ave., Baton Rouge; and 2 p.m., Amber Terrace, 8585 Summa Ave., Baton Rouge
Checkers at the library
Adults age 18 and over are welcome to meet at the Albany-Springfield Branch of Livingston Parish Library at 11 a.m. Friday to play checkers. Refreshments will be served. Call (225) 567-1441 for details.
Dewey Decibels in concert
Livingston Parish Library’s own band, The Dewey Decibels, will perform holiday concerts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Main Branch and 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch. There will be music, hot chocolate and pictures with Santa. Call the Main Branch at (225) 686-2436 or the Denham Springs-Walker Branch at (225) 665-8118 for information.
Minion movie madness
“Minions” takes over the Watson Branch of Livingston Parish Library at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Children ages 5 to 11 can join the Minions on a new Minion adventure, play a Minion game and make their own Minion oräSee AROUND, page 2G
The Walker High School Marching Band plays in the parade. RIGHT: Riding with her mother, Laura Cox, left, Livingston Parish Fair Queen Payzlee Cox, 3, rides in the parade on Saturday. FAR RIGHT: Santa closes out the Walker Christmas Parade.
Baseball field for special needs children planned BY VIC COUVILLION
children from a four- or fiveparish area are playing baseball in Walker in a league that WALKER — A new and innova- has been in existence for four tive baseball venue, named years. While the special needs chil“Challenger’s Field,” is being planned in Walker for special dren are able to play on a conneeds children from through- ventional field, Ramsey said out Livingston and neighbor- the need exists to create a field that is especially catered to ing parishes. Walker Mayor Rick Ramsey the needs of the mentally and said the city is trying to raise physically disabled. The city already raised about $300,000 to build a baseball field suitable for men- $30,000 from area businesses, tally and physically disabled and Walker has applied for children in the area. Ramsey grants through several founsaid about 60 special-needs dations connected to Major Special to The Advocate
League Baseball. Ramsey said the total cost of field will be about $421,000. The city has been awarded $220,000 by the Cal Ripken Foundation, which is named in honor of Cal Ripken Jr., the legendary infielder for the Baltimore Orioles who set a record for playing in the most consecutive games of any player in professional baseball. The field, which will be located in Sydney Hutchinson Park, will be of a reduced size with the center field fence be-
tween 90-100 feet from home plate. Shock absorbent turf will cover the field. Fences and dugout areas will be encased in protective covers, and special bases will be used to accommodate the needs of the athletes who will play there. “The need for this field has been evident for some time. Special needs children deserve this facility. It’s enlightening to watch these kids play ball because they want to win. Playing ball gives these kids the opportunity to do something that is good for them and that
they thoroughly enjoy. They have the opportunity to enjoy healthy exercise out in the fresh air. It’s something we need to do.” Ramsey said. To help raise money for Challenger’s Field, a major fundraiser is scheduled for Jan. 18 at the North Park Gym. The event, Nashville Unplugged, will include music from a variety of Nashville country stars in addition to cameo appearances from local MLB greats and other celebrities from the äSee BASEBALL, page 3G