The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Leadership Livingston Class of 2026. In its 13th year, the program has graduated nearly 300 local leaders.
Leadership Livingston is a 10-month experience that starts with a retreat in August and includes monthly field trips from September to May Participants learn about key areas of the parish and work in teams on community improvement projects.
The program concludes with a graduation in June.
“We welcome applicants from all backgrounds,” said Chamber President April Wehrs. “This program brings together a diverse group of leaders ready to make a difference.”
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Charles Salzer
Local athletes well represented Star of Stars banquet
The competition for recognition at The Advocate’s annual Star of Stars awards is fierce and befitting of the athletes and coaches who are part of our metro area sports scene.
It didn’t keep Livingston parish from having an impact
The 2025 awards show was held May 20 at the L’Auberge Casino & Hotel and there were five parish members who were honored.
It was a group that included two Live Oak students, soccer player Jankell Arias and powerlifter Trent Harrison; and another pair from Denham Springs, baseball’s Cooper Smith and Special Olympian Caleb Lee. The final honoree was long-time Denham Springs statistician Robert Graves, who received the spirit award. Host for the ceremony was the voice of LSU gymnastics, Michael D. Smith, and he gave a brief rundown of the accomplishments for each award
and more
Community news report
This year’s list features 16 books including “I Loved You First,” written by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. It also features “First Ladies Make History” authored by mother/daughter duo Denham Springs Elementary receives library grant
The Denham Springs Elementary Library is updating and diversifying its library collection thanks to a grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries grant.
The school, one of 220 schools from 38 states to receive the grant, will receive a $5,000.
“We are excited to be a grant recipient, and we look forward to investing in new books for our students to enjoy,” Denham Springs Elementary librarian Alisha
Gaboury said. This year, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded over $1 million in library grants. The organization also sponsors a recommended summer reading list for young readers through middle school.
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PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
DENHAM SPRINGS CLASS OF 2025
Superintendent of Livingston Parish Schools Jody Purvis, right, hands Gracie Dawson her diploma.
Grant Randall Pendergraft, the student of the year and top graduate, speaks during the Denham Springs High School graduation ceremony.
Ja’mami Moore raises her diploma to show relatives.
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Burlin Bryant, left, talks with classmates Joshua Torri and Benjamin LeBlanc before the start of the Denham Springs High School graduation ceremony held in the University Center at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond om May 19.
Graduates walk to their seats to start the Denham Springs High School graduation ceremony.
Cahli Broussard shows her excitement after receiving her diploma.
Special education teacher Victoria Marble helps Hector Romero with his sash.
AROUND
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Applications are open through July 15 Apply at www.livingstonparishchamber.org or call (225) 665-8155 for more information.
Farmers Market Saturday
Four Seasons Farmers Market opens every Saturday morning at 116 North Range Ave., Denham Springs. The event includes fresh produce and crafts items. For more information, call (225) 366-7241 or email thefourseasonsfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Amite art, drama camps set for summer
The Amite Arts Council is hosting summer visual art and drama camps this summer for students in fourth through eighth grades. The drama camp, June 16-20, is presented by the children’s theater troupe
The New Octavians in Hammond. The students will learn acting and stage movement skills, which will be displayed in a short play staged on the last day of the camp. The camp will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Center
The visual art camp is June 23-27 The camp will be taught by nationally recognized artist and book illustrator Marita Gentry
Campers will explore the styles of famous painters throughout history It will also be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Amite Community Center The last afternoon of the camp there will be an art show to display what the students have created. Registration for each camp is $20. There will be a $10 refund if the student completes the camp.
To register, visit Amite City Hall to register and pay the registration fee. Class size for both camps is limited to 15. Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@theadvocate. com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
The
THELIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA HELIVINGSTON-T A
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA ADVOCATE
10291 Hwy. 190 Walker LA 70785 or P.O. Box 309 Walker LA 70785 (225) 388-0215
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY Online at www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/ communities/livingston_tangipahoa/ EDITOR
Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com OFFICE: (225) 388-0215 CELL: (225) 603-1998
Anita McBride, Bush’s former chief of staff when she was First Lady, and Giovanna McBride. Inspired by the Laura Bush Foundation, Anita McBride and daughter Giovanna will donate a copy of “First Ladies Make History” to every elementary school that has received a Laura Bush Foundation grant since 2002.
“Books have the power to spark curiosity and inspire lifelong learning. We are thrilled to provide these grants so that librarians can refresh their shelves-opening the door for students to discover new
SALZER
Continued from page 1G
winner as they were recognized.
Smith, a Louisiana Tech signee, showed a flair for dramatic finishes for Live Oak, which was nationally ranked for most of the season. He smashed gamewinning walk-off home runs to help the Eagles clinch the District 5-5A title and again in the Division I nonselect quarterfinals in the deciding game against Northshore.
Arias was one of the main contributors for the Yellow Jackets boys soccer team, which put together its best season in school history Also The Advocate’s Division I-II metro most valuable player, Arias scored 28 goals and led Denham Springs into the Division I non select playoffs as the No. 1 seed.
Harrison won the Division I 220-pound class at the state meet for the second consecutive year His threelift total of 1805 pounds was the highest for any competitor regardless of weight class or division, and was 85 pounds ahead of second place in his own weight class. His lifts included a 700-pound squat. Lee is an Eagles freshman who began competing in the Special Olympics when he was 8 years old. He was named Boys Special Olympics Athlete of the Year Bowling, swimming and track and field are among his favorite events, and has added archery since his enrollment at Live Oak. Graves was the statistician for Denham Springs football for 38 seasons, and noted at the ceremony that his records included downand-distance along with the game time for every play of all 401 games he worked Graves was inducted into the Denham Springs athletic hall of fame in 2019 Congratulations are in order for all five parish representatives and the work they put in to earn their recognition.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.s
interests and endless adventures,”
former first lady Laura Bush said.
“Reading helps children connect with the world around them,” she added. “This year’s summer reading list celebrates America, everyday adventures, and friendships that stand the test of time. I hope families will take time to enjoy the slower pace of summer and enjoy reading these stories together.”
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning, a news release said.
Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded $23 million to more than 4,000 schools across the country
program May 19.
Community news report
A statewide adoption event is offering reduced or waived pet adoptions fees to highlight the vital role pet adoption plays in building no-kill communities, a news release said. Gov Jeff Landry proclaimed April 30 as Louisiana Loves Shelter Animals Day To mark the occasion and welcome this step in Louisiana’s pet lifesaving efforts, dozens of
Gathering, from left, are Denham Springs Elementary’s Assistant Principal Alysha Leonard, Librarian Alisha Gaboury, who is holding the letter announcing the grant, Principal Bridget Castille, and Instructional Coach Kayla Jarrell.
PROVIDED PHOTO
shelters across the state will offer reduced or waived adoption fees from May 29-31.
Hours and promotional adoption fees vary so contact the specific shelters for details.
Participating shelters in the region in-
clude: n Cara’s House, 9894 Airline Highway, Sorrento n Companion Animal Alliance, 2550 Gourrier Ave., Baton Rouge
n Livingston Parish Animal Shelter, 13525 Florida Blvd., Livingston n Tangipahoa Animal Services, 15487 Club Deluxe Road, Hammond n West Feliciana Animal Humane Society, 9946 West Feliciana Parkway, St Francisville. Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s
shelters, worked with state leadership on the initiative and is sponsoring the statewide event to encourage more people to adopt. The proclamation coincided with new annual data released by Best Friends, which shows Louisiana saved 77% of pets in its shelters in 2024, but for the state to achieve no-kill, an additional 12,900 dogs and cats need to be adopted.
Cooper Smith
Trent Harrison
Jankell Arias
PHOTOS BY PATRICK DENNIS
Robert Graves walks to the stage to receive the Spirit Award at the Baton Rouge Advocate’s Star of Stars Sports Awards
Caleb Lee, Live Oak, accepts his Boys Special Olympics Athlete of the Year award from Advocate sports writer Robin Fambrough, right
