Artist of Year shares love of stage with students
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Boil
Berries
Boil & Berries Crawfish Cookoff fundraiser is coming to Springfield from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 18 at Fayard Field. Bracelets for the event are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Kids 3 and under are free. You’ll get to sample from all the crawfish pots and strawberry desserts.
The day includes crawfish cook-off, strawberry dessert bake-off, strawberry patch contest, Hungarian treats and cultural performances, strawberryeating contest for kids, music, vendors and inflatables.
Fayard Field is at 32127 Church St., Springfield. All proceeds benefit the Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association to help preserve our Hungarian heritage. If interested in participating in crawfish cook-off or dessert bake-off, call (225) 278-3770 or (985) 974-6883. If interested in being a vendor, call (225) 9558239.
Spring Festival set for Denham Springs
Don’t miss the Denham Springs Spring Festival, set for April 25 in the city’s downtown district
The day includes hundreds of vendors, games, children’s rides, food booths, antique stores open for shopping, art exhibits, tours the Old City Hall exhibits and music at the Old Train Station. Browse the main street area, rest at the sitting areas and sample the fare in the restaurants and visit the comfort stations.
Class of ’76 reunion planned
If you’re an alum of the Denham Springs Class of 1976 — my class your help is needed to organize the upcoming reunion. The event is planned for June 13 at Forrest Grove in Denham Springs.
To volunteer or share your information with the organizers, email daleh76DS@gmail.com. Livingston schools kindergarten registration
Livingston Parish Public Schools is accepting online registrations for incoming kindergarten students for the 2026-27 school year
A child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 30 to register for kindergarten.
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
If the world is indeed a stage, Melani
Glascock’s career has played a leading role.
Glascock, an arts educator and longtime theater advocate, has brought her passion to hundreds of students she teaches as an arts educator in the Livingston Parish Public School System.
For her commitment to that passion from her heart to the classroom, Glascock was recently selected as the 2025 Arts Council of Livingston Parish Artist of the Year She was presented the award during a reception for the opening of the center’s Student Art Show, which runs through April.
“I am extremely proud of the award and excited,” Glascock, vice president of the art council board, said. “Sometimes, performing arts can get overlooked but the fact that (the council) reached out (with the award) is a very important element for me.
“We have done a lot to promote visual performing arts.”
BY RICHARD
Glascock travels to 11 Livingston Parish schools weekly to meet with students, who have been evaluated for the gifted and talented program in visual arts, explaining her goal is not
only to teach them how to act but also how to be better artisans.
“Just building who they are and strengthen who they are,” Glascock said, “and learning how to express themselves, express their emotions in different ways.”
Through the years she has witnessed several students overcome their initial timidity and eventually begin to thrive, overcoming their fear of being on stage.
Glascock recalled one student who briefly dropped out of the class because of those fears but eventually returned and was even on the front line in the recent production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
“Rather than him getting out of the program, he came back, stayed with it and that gave him the confidence to get involved to meet the other students,” she said. “I think we will see him thrive. We see that a lot of times.”
Learning also extends well beyond the front of the curtain as students are exposed to art design, stage management and construction and design of sets, all of which can lead to the development of life skills such as organization,
ä See ARTIST, page 2G
CAR TALK
The three-person cast practices for the upcoming production of Driving Miss Daily, produced by the Spotlight
Players in Denham Springs at Luke 10:27 Church. Left to right are Lee Rider (Boolie), Tara Nixon (Daisy) and Reggie Francis (Hoke).
Denham Springs theater troupe stages ‘Driving Miss Daisy’
BY RICHARD MEEK
Contributing writer
Set in 1943, “Driving Miss Daisy” is the story of an elderly Jewish woman forging an unlikely friendship with her personal driver, who is Black, during a 25-year period. In the movie, starring Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy and Dan Aykroyd, the complex plot addresses racism and antisemitism and shows what can happen when those veils are lifted and people begin looking into the eyes and hearts of their fellow community members
In what could be considered a groundbreaking production in Livingston Parish, the Spotlight Performance Theater Players in Denham Springs are bringing the award-winning play to the stage at Luke 10:27 Church for a six-day produc-
tion spread across two weekends beginning April 16.
“We were trying to find a play that would help us feel like there are a lot of opportunities in our community to do something (theatrically),” said Spotlight President Lee Rider, who is also playing Boolie, Miss Daisy’s son.
“It was interesting because having
ä See DRIVING, page 2G
Maurepas softball ready for deep run in playo
A lot of offense has led to an optimistic outlook for the Maurepas softball team, which will be looking to make a deep playoff run after the regular season ends this week. Two weeks ago, the Wolves clinched the District 7-C title by doing something they have done well all season, namely scoring runs. Their offensive prowess is one of the main reasons they appear ready to make a run at a berth in the state championship tournament, which begins May 1 in Sulphur “I’m excited. I think we’re going to make a good run through the playoffs,” Maurepas coach Gabrielle Felps said last week. “I know for the girls, their goal is to play on the last day of the season and I think we’re making good progress toward that.” The Wolves got to this point by winning all four games they played in their three-team district, and
(14-13) is up to No. 2 in the Class C power ratings. With the softball playoff pairings ready to come out this week. Maurepas has positioned itself to have a first-round bye along with a chance to
they are focused on bettering the achievements of last year’s team, which made it to the quarterfinals before a 16-9 loss to Claiborne Christian. The Wolves are a young team with a starting lineup that
Maurepas
PHOTO BY CHARLES SALZER
Maurepas pitcher Saydie Sterling during a recent game.
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
PHOTO
MEEK
Gayle Cothell, president of the Arts Council of Livingston Parish, presents the Artist of the Year Award to Malani Glascock during the Livingston Parish Students Art show and Artist of the Year 2025 presentation at the council on March 21.
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Performance Theater
ARTIST
Continued from page 1G
management, teamwork, leadership, confidence and the ability to express emotions in different ways.
“Hopefully, we make them better at life skills,” she said
She encourages every student to get on stage for at least one production and if it is not for them they can be groomed for other positions.
“Everything we do is a performance,” she said. “Every morning you get up, it is improvisation. No one tells you what to say every day.
“It is a life skills and part of what we do.” Her students produce at least one play a year, adding that the ratio with dramas and musicals is about 50-50.
Glascock, who has been teaching theatre for 45 years, said her students’ performances are their art
Art on display
Also casting a proud eye at the artwork currently displayed at the center was Jennifer Callaway, an art teacher at French Settlement High School. She said about 30 of her students’ works are on display, including students with multiple
DRIVING
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not only the racial aspect of having Hoke (Miss Daisy’s driver) in the play and what that brings to the audience, Daisy and her son are Jewish,” he said. “You have layers of complexity of all different areas.”
Hoke will be played by Reggie Francis, a veteran Black actor who has starred in several productions in Ascension Parish and Baton Rouge. An African American playing a leading role in a theatrical production in Livingston Parish is rare, veteran director Dinah Toups, the founder of Denham Springs Area Community Theatre in the mid-1990s, said. Toups said she had met with Spotlight officials and was told they were trying to find a family production.
“And I told them ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ would be a good one if we can find an African American actor,” Toups said.
“I told them if they wanted to gain notoriety, they need
AROUND
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Online registration is available at www.lpsb.org/ parent_resources/registration_info/register_for_kindergarten_2026-2027. Currently enrolled Pre-K students do not need to register
More information about the registration process, visit www.lpsb.org/parent_resources/registration_info. Pre-K application open in Livingston Parish Livingston Parish Public Schools is accepting applications for pre-kindergarten
pieces.
Callaway introduces her art students to as many techniques, materials and mediums as possible, including watercolors, paint and oil. She teaches the basics of sculpture with clay, resin, paper mache and other materials.
“It is super important to reach them at an early age because they are less limited by that anxiety of being judged or trying to be perfect,” she said. “If they can learn to do something for the enjoyment, they will see it through much further.”
Callaway said her goal is to develop artists but perhaps, more importantly, teach them how to think
to open their auditions to others.”
She admitted finding Hoke was a “real challenge. Nobody I knew really wanted to take it on.”
As it turns out, Tara Nixon, who is playing Daisy, had a connection to Francis.
“It is a challenging role, but I am excited about it,” Francis said. “Hopefully it gives an invitation that Denham Springs is a welcoming community theater
“Come play a role and help portray the story whatever the play may be.”
Explaining the significance of Hoke, Francis said the play opens at a time when African American males were forced to hide their pride, knowledge and not be too proudful. He said his character lived his life in a way that he was true to himself but with an understanding of restriction.
“Bringing in today’s world, my hope is there is an understanding this is not 1943 and use that key to unlock what Hoke is, was and who he would be today,” he said. Francis did not downplay
enrollment for the 2026-27 school year
A child must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 30 to qualify Round 1 of the online PreK application period runs through May 1. The online application can be accessed at applytolppsearlychild. schoolmint.com.
Anyone needing assistance completing the online application can visit district staff members on April 17 at the Livingston Parish Public Schools Professional Development Center, at 17457 Wes McLin Road, Suite F. Staff members will be available with laptops to assist from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that day
Parents or guardians who attend this help session should
creatively about their work and how to make their art not just exciting for them but also for others.
The class helps young people develop skills such as how to properly measure objects, make presentations to others and how to quickly analyze art, so a student can take those skills and apply them to real-life critical thinking.
“I think it is a fun class and I try to make it a fun class,” Callaway said. “The students make my job so wonderful.”
Admittedly “not good at drawing in high school,” Callaway said when she attended college she learned sculpting was her nitche. And that led to pottery, which is
the significance of being a rare African American in a Denham Springs production. He also said bringing Hoke to the stage is a dream role.
“Not only what Hoke portrays but the shoes you are walking in,” he said. “We are talking Morgan Freeman (in the movie) and James Earl Jones (on the stage).
“This is a challenge to do right by those guys.”
Rider said Spotlight’s mission is to identify productions that are diverse, providing opportunities for actors to perform and have a moment to shine.
“What I love most about (‘Driving Miss Daisy’) is it reminds me growth does not have an expiration date,” he said. “It does not matter your age or your background, because you always have room to learn, to listen, to make a better version of yourself.”
Toups said productions in Livingston Parish can be limited for many reasons, including where to stage productions and a lack of acting diversity But she said developing a more diverse group of actors would expand op-
bring copies of the required documents.
More information about the application process is available as www lppsearlychildhood.com or on Facebook at Livingston Parish Early Childhood. Learn something new
Be sure to visit southeastern.nbsstore.net/life-longlearning-livingston-center to find and register for classes such as chair yoga and Zumba, watercolor, stained glass and technology subjects.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@theadvocate. com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
Local students elected to membership into Phi Kappa Phi
Several area students recently were elected to membership into the Honor society of Phi Kappa Phi. LSU student Autumn Her-
ring, of Holden, was accepted into the honor society. Also accepted were: n Brandon Thornton, of Ponchatoula, at Nicholls State University n Callie Cody, of Denham
Springs, at LSU
n Stephen Gardner, of Denham Springs, at Arkansas State University
n Tiffany Mitchell-Davis, of Hammond, at University of Louisiana at Monroe.
“where my heart is.”
But on the second day of spring, her focus was on her students and their artwork that was being presented to the public.
“I am unbelievably proud,” Callaway said, “To see their art hanging here and seeing them bring their family member is what makes it all worthwhile.
“They get to show off their work and they are so proud of themselves and that is the important part.”
Elementary school student Abigail Horne, middle school student Emerson McCardle and high school student Gabrielle Sibley were announced as the Sarah Riley
tions for productions.
“If you happen to have somebody that is a Morgan Freeman type of person you can find a play that would actually work with your strength,” Toups said. She was pleased that during a recent food truck festival in downtown Denham Springs, a Black family and a Hispanic family that included two children and a mother who can sing signed up for Spotlight’s mailing and audition lists.
“I told (Spotlight officials) that if we could produce a play with a substantial role written for an African American, we can expand our audience, and that means we could expand our play choices,” she said, “and then you really build (theater) in our community.”
“Driving Miss Daisy” is scheduled April 16-18 and April 23-25 at Luke 10:27 Church in Denham Springs. Show times are 7 p.m., with the exception of the April 25 curtain closer, which stars at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at onthestage. tickets.
Scott Scholarship Award winners.
Scott was a teacher in the Livingston Parish School System for 50 years and gave her time, talents, inspiration and concerns for others. She founded Camp Empowerment at the Lockhart Community Center in 2011.
Makenzie Traux was the Kathy Hoskins Reeves Photography Award winner Reeves was longtime supporter of the Arts Council of Livingston Parish and a former member of the board of directors. Her photography took her around the world and her photos have been published nationally Reeves was also honored as the council’s Artist of the Year in 2012.
LSU AgCenter plans garden day and plant sale
Community news report
The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will host its fifth annual Spring Garden Day and Plant Sale from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the station at 21549 Old Covington Highway, Hammond. This rain-or-shine, family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Visitors will find a wide plant selection, including Louisiana Super Plants, annual bedding plants, perennials, pollinator favorites, tropicals, houseplants, herbs, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and unique specialty selections grown right at the research station. At 10:30 a.m., horticulture
expert Allen Owings will deliver a guest presentation. The Southeastern Louisiana Nursery Association will host a nursery trade show featuring vendor booths offering plants, garden goods and horticultural products. The Tangipahoa Master Gardener Association will also join the festivities with children’s activities, a mini plant sale, plant swap, educational booths and a garden shop. Refreshments will be available for purchase from Drink’n & Jav’n Coffee and the Hammond High School IBoosters Club. For a full schedule of activities and event details, visit https://tinyurl.com/ y6sbrxm4.
Abigail Horne holds her Sarah Riley Scott Scholarship Award certificate as she stands before her artwork during the Arts Council of Livington Parish Artist of the Year Student Art Show on March 21.
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
Patrons take in student works on display at the Livingston Parish Students Art show and Artist of the Year 2025 presentation at the council on March 21. The artwork will be on display through April.
Live Oak powerlifter becomes one of best in state’s history
BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer
For six months, Live Oak
powerlifter Dylan Rockett woke up every day thinking about one thing: setting the state record for the 181-pound class.
On Feb. 21, the senior set three state records with a deadlift of 645 pounds, a bench press of 470 pounds, and a total of 1,815 pounds. He surpassed the record of 1,810 pounds, set by West Monroe’s Christian Dunn.
He dominated the competition, and with a state meet still in his sights, Rockett’s focus narrowed from outside competition to trying to break his own records
At the state meet on March 28, Rockett left no doubt. He squatted 675 pounds for his third state record. He also benched 480 pounds and deadlifted 675 pounds to set records in all three categories
His total of 1,820 pounds broke his own record and was 240 pounds better than second place in his weight class. Rockett capped his high school career with two individual state titles He lifted more than any athlete across all weight classes and classifications at the state meet. His dominance in the sport comes from a passion for the sport.
“I love powerlifting,” Live Oak coach Cash Littlefield said. “Dylan is obsessed with powerlifting.”
First lifts
Rockett was working out over the summer for football as an eighth grader when he met then-senior Landon Wall, who introduced him to the sport.
“I always loved working
out,” Rockett said. “I started working out for football. I started liking working out more than playing football.”
He then decided to trade in his helmet and pads for barbells and a lifting belt.
He benched 315 pounds in the 165-pound weight class in his first year to qualify for the state meet
Littlefield saw the talent Rockett possessed and thought he had the potential to become a state champion. What his coach didn’t foresee was how far Rockett would take it.
In Rockett’s freshman year, Littlefield showed him the state records for the 181-pound weight class, one of the most competitive classes in the sport
Rockett never forgot those numbers. When he broke the 1,810 total at the regional meet, he made sure to remind his coach as they made it official at the scorer’s table.
“ ‘Hey remember when you told me that this was the most impressive record in the record books?’ ” Littlefield recalled Rockett asking him. “I was like, ‘yeah, buddy, I remember that conversation.’ ”
After the state meet, Rockett looked back at his accomplishments with pride.
“It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time, since I was a freshman,” Rockett said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to break those in three years of work and break the ones that I used to look at the most.
Love for lifting
Rockett loves the hard work the sport involves. While it began by working on improving himself, he said he almost enjoys helping his teammates more.
“(Powerlifting) personally changed my life completely,” Rockett said. “You do feel a lot more confident. You just feel better about yourself overall.”
Now, he wants to help change the lives around him through the sport. He offers personal coaching and plans to return to Live Oak next year as an assistant coach.
“It’s honestly been more enjoyable to help the other people,” Rockett said. “Just to help them reach the goals that I also want to reach and put the spark in some of the other people.”
Rockett’s pride in his own accolades might only be matched by how proud he is of the Live Oak powerlifting program’s growth.
He saw the team have just 20 members to now 70 athletes. In his freshman year, only two boys and one girl qualified for state. In his senior year, the Eagles sent 11 boys and 10 girls to the state meet.
The Live Oak boys placed
third, their highest finish at state. The Eagles girls won the state title.
“I’m very proud,” Rockett said. “It’s a very big deal to me.”
Littlefield credits him for the program’s growth. He said it can be hard for athletes to sometimes visualize what is desired without seeing an example.
Rockett’s become the example.
Littlefield said only one athlete on the team squatted 600 pounds before Rockett joining the team. In his senior year they have five, including him.
“That’s the example that he’s set,” Littlefield said.
The sport allowed Rocket to etch his name into the record books. He’ll soon travel to Nebraska on April 17 for nationals, but he’s still focused on continuing to grow the sport that changed his life.
“One of the biggest things you can get out of the sport is helping each other,” he said.
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“We have a love for the sport,” she said. “We use that to be more competitive and win the games we should.”
Two playoff wins at home will give the Wolves a chance to play on the final day of the season, and win their first state championship.
Email Charles Salzer at livingston@theadvocate. com.
includes two seventhgraders and an eighthgrader but the regular season results show they are a capable squad. They were 7-0 against Class C competition, a mark that included a 10-9 win over Claiborne Christian in early March. In the district clincher against False River, there were plenty of outstanding performers. Khloe Luquette homered and drove in two runs, Gabby Bell had three RBIs, and Kambree Delatte drove in two more runs. Saydie Sterling, one of two seniors on the team, doubled and scored twice. Sterling said the strength of this year’s team is the way they play together
PHOTO BY CHARLES SALZER Maurepas softball batter Hayli Quamme at the plate during a recent game.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Live Oak’s Dylan Rockett competes in the squatting event.
Delaney joins North Oaks Cardiology Clinic in Hammond
Community news report
North Oaks Health Systems has welcomed fellowship-trained cardiologist Dr Patrick Delaney to the team at North Oaks Cardiology Clinic in Hammond. He is accepting new patients ages 18 and up.
Delaney began his career as a cardiologist with a strong focus on helping patients during heart attacks and other serious heart problems. Now a seasoned cardiologist and instructor he draws on more than three decades of experience treating patients with heart and vascular disease with the goal of preventing major cardiac events.
Delaney
scans. “I especially enjoy when we are able to diagnose and treat a patient’s potentially serious condition before it causes them more severe long-term prob lem s,” he adds. “When we see patients in the outpatient setting, cardiac CT often lets us get high quality images of the coronary arteries. Using what those images show, we can then sometimes avoid doing more invasive cardiac procedures.”
Community news report
Southeastern Louisiana University’s third Executive Business Forum, set from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., is April 16 at the Castine Center in Mandeville.
The forum is designed to bring critical information to the Northshore in the areas of talent, healthcare, and the economy First Guaranty Bank in Hammond is a catalyst sponsor of the event. For more information or to register, contact Southeastern’s College of Business at (985) 549-2258 or business@southeastern.edu, or visit southeastern.edu/businessforum.
Sunshine Ladies donate to Woman at the Well
Community news report
The Sunshine Ladies have partnered with Woman at the Well, a ministry that provides women with support and needed items.
new storage building. The group also provides donations to Woman at the Well through the year, to help meet the needs of their clients.
“I enjoy talking to patients, trying to diagnose and rule out cardiac conditions, relieving patients’ concerns, and giving them advice to help prevent heart problems in the future,” Delaney said.
Delaney is passionate about helping patients prevent and manage heart disease through family history, physical exams, and a wide range of cardiac testing, including EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests and CT
Delaney earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of New Orleans and his medical degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Afterwards, he completed his fellowship specializing in cardiovascular diseases at Tulane University in New Orleans He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardiovascular CT
North Oaks Cardiology Clinic is at 15813 Paul Vega, MD, Drive Building 2, Suite 403 in Hammond. Clinic hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Volunteers judge 4-H contests
Community news report
Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community provided judges for the annual 4-H Fashion Show, the Beef and Sugar Cookery, and the Egg, Poultry and Louisiana Commodities Cookery at the Florida Parishes Arena.
Club members Sharon Miano, Jamie McDonald, Gail Calderone, Gloria Messenger, Lucie Hanewinkel, Gwen Domiano and Julie Desselles judged the entries Messenger, Calderone and Hanewinkel judged the food categories while Miano and McDonald served as judges for the sewing and fashion competition.
On behalf of the club, Miano presented a pair of cutting scissors to 4-H member AnaBelle Marcus, who was the Homemade Sewn Item winner AnaBelle is a sixth grader at Roseland Montessori School. Her entry was an apron, which she made without using a pattern. Her “just below the knee-length creation” had a double hem, an elastic neckline and two large pockets. Before modeling the apron
to the judges, AnaBelle put an egg in one pocket and a sprig of greenery in the other pocket to represent the farming and gardening aspects of the 4-H Club.
Domiano and Desselles were on hand to sell raffle tickets for TVFC’s 2026 raffle item, which is a $250 gift card from Walmart. Tickets for the gift card are available until Nov 1. The ticket sales support the club’s scholarship fund, which is used to award a $1,000 college scholarship each year to a graduating high school senior from Tangipahoa Parish. For more info on our scholarships or to buy raffle tickets, call TVFC’s scholarship chair Jean Hebert at (504) 259-1412. Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community is an all-volunteer arm of the LSU Agriculture Extension Service. It includes two clubs: Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community and Sunshine Ladies. Anyone wanting more information about TVFC can email Messenger at ggmessenger1@ gmail.com or membership chair Sue Nelson at suenelson41@yahoo.com.
7 Brew donates $12,000 to Child Advocacy Services
spoke at the ceremony Along with the ribbon-cutting, the stand team presented a $12,000 check to Child Advocacy Services.
DEMCO announces scholarship drawing to support members’ education
Community news report
DEMCO is accepting scholarship entries from coop members who attend, or plan to attend, a Louisiana public college or university. The scholarship is $1,250 per semester for two consecutive semesters during the 2026-27 academic year
Recipients will be selected by random drawing during the co-op’s annual meeting scheduled for May 9. “At DEMCO, we are com-
mitted to investing in the communities we serve not just through reliable power, but by creating opportunities for continued education,” said Randy Pierce, chief executive officer and general manager “This scholarship is one way we invest in brighter futures for our members and communities.”
View eligibility requirements and enter online by May 1 at DEMCO.org/scholarships.
The Sunshine Ladies presented the organization’s director Sherri MacNeil with a check to go toward a
“We donate items like cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, feminine hygiene products, personal items, and more,” a news release said.
Sunshine Ladies is one of the two
branches of Tangipahoa Volunteers For Family And Community, the allvolunteer arm of the LSU Ag Center, working together to serve the residents in Tangipahoa Parish. For more information on the group, contact President Ann Bourliea at aborliea79@gmail.com or visit http://www tangivfc.com.
Law firm awards scholarships to area students
Community news report
Logan Michael McCarthy, of Denham Springs, was awarded the $1,500 “Most Creative” Scholarship as part of the “For the Future” Scholarship program from Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers.
A 20-year-old sophomore at Southeastern Louisiana University, McCarthy is pursuing a pre-medical double major in integrative biology and chemistry with a focus on biochemistry. His
long-term goal is to become a pediatric oncologist. His creative video campaign addressed distracted driving through a lens shaped by personal experience, a news release said.
After witnessing a serious crash shortly after he began driving — and knowing his uncle lost his life to a drunk driving incident — McCarthy understands firsthand the life-altering consequences of unsafe driving.
“It is an honor to be selected by Dudley DeBosier
Injury Lawyers as their ‘Most Creative’ scholarship recipient,” Logan said. “I thank God that in my own way I can contribute to road safety.”
“Logan’s creativity immediately caught our attention,” said Chad Dudley founding partner of Dudley DeBosier “By using an unexpected and memorable moment, he reminded viewers how quickly a distracted decision behind the wheel can change everything.”
The scholarship program
Sorority names Woman of the Year
Community news report
The Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International honored Lynda Smith, chapter president, as Woman of the Year during a luncheon on March 18 at LaContea restaurant in Baton Rouge.
Chapter members from Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Denham Springs, Walker and Watson gathered to celebrate Smith’s leadership, service and the many qualities that make her an exceptional representative of the sorority’s ideals, a news
release said. Smith was honored for her “gracious leadership, steady dependability and genuine warmth toward every member of the chapter.”
“She leads with a spirit of kindness, fairness, and encouragement, creating an atmosphere where all women feel welcomed, valued, and inspired to participate,” the release said.
Smith is known for her positive attitude, willingness to help and consistent dedication to the group’s projects and events.
Master Gardener Volunteer Course planned in Tangipahoa Parish
Community news report
A Louisiana Master Gardener training course is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays from Aug 12 through Nov 19.
Most classes will be held at the LSU AgCenter office in Amite, 305 E. Oak St. Class members will take part in inperson meetings, read training materials and watch videoed lectures. One or more optional field trips will be offered To get an application or ask questions, contact Horticulture Agent Mary Helen Ferguson at (mhferguson@agcenter.lsu. edu or call (985) 277-1850. Applications
are due Friday, June 12.
A fee of $180 and a background check will be required for those who are accepted and choose to enroll in the program. Individuals in the Louisiana Master Gardener program help the LSU AgCenter provide education about gardening and lawn care. To become a Certified Louisiana Master Gardener, individuals must complete the training course, pass an examination, and volunteer forty or more hours of service with the LSU AgCenter within the year following completion of the course.
Southeastern professor earns national award
Community news report
Southeastern Louisiana University physics professor Rhett Allain has been recognized by the American Association of Physics Teachers with the 2026 Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award.
AAPT is an international organization for physics educators, physicists and industrial scientists — with members worldwide.
Allain was recognized, “For his exceptional ability to communicate physics to broad and diverse audiences, his innovative use of books, digital media, and public platforms to inspire curiosity about how the world works, and his sustained commitment to mentoring teachers and students while advancing excellence in teaching and scholarship.”
A member of AAPT since 1997, Allain has served locally in the Louisiana section and nationally as a section representative, membership and benefits committee member, and on the annual meet-
ings planning subcommittee. Allain has a popular blog at WIRED.com that focuses on explaining physics concepts to the general public. For more complicated topics with more detail, he also posts regularly on Medium. com. Supplementing his blogs, he creates short-form science videos on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. The author of four books, Allain communicates physics ideas to the public and to physics students and teachers, a news release said.
challenges Louisiana students to create original videos discouraging texting and driving, accompanied by essays reflecting on the importance of road safety Winners receive financial assistance to support tuition and educational expenses. This year’s Baton Rougearea winners also include Tafari Beard Jr., of Zachary, who won the $4,444 grand prize, and Maliyah Davis, of Gonzales, recipient of the $1,000 People’s Choice Scholarship.
SLU hosts foreign language festival
Community news report
Southeastern recently hosted the 43rd annual Foreign Language Festival. The festival drew schools from Natchitoches, Orleans, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes that brought nearly 150 students to compete in Spanish and French recitation, oral interview music, dance, and extemporaneous speaking categories. Cabrini High School received first place in French Music, while Pope John Paul II High School received second place. Mount Carmel Academy claimed first place in Spanish Theater, with St. Thomas Aquinas in second, and St. Paul’s School in third. Cabrini also finished first in Spanish Music, with St. Thomas Aquinas coming in second. In Spanish Dance, Cabrini came in first, while Mount Carmel finished second. St. Thomas Aquinas High School, from Tangipahoa Parish, won a first place honor with Allison Foster’s Spanish Recitation presentation.
Phi Kappa Phi elects members
Community news report
Two area students have been elected to membership into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Sharon Jeansonne, of Denham Springs, a Southeastern Louisiana University student, and Bobby Primes, of Hammond, who attends LSU Shreveport, were among the new members.
They are among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter
Household hazardous waste recycling event planned
Community news report
The annual Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Day in Hammond is set for May 2. The event is set for 8 a.m. to noon at Zemurray Park, 406 S. Oak St., Hammond. Items accepted include lamps, bulbs, batteries, paints, computers, electronics and televisions, For more information, call (985) 277-5955
Smith
PROVIDED PHOTO
Southeastern President William S. Wainwright, left, College of Business Dean Tara’ Lopez, First Guaranty Bank President and CEO Michael Mineer, and Chief Lending Officer Evan Singer gather to finalize sponsorship of upcoming business forum at SLU
PROVIDED PHOTO BY RANDY BERGERON Rhett Allain