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Darlene Denstorff

AROUND LIVINGSTON

Livingston library is ready for summer

Livingston Parish Library locations will be closed June 19 to commemorate Juneteenth.

All summer, branches will have a busy schedule for the family Check out these events at the Denham Springs-Walker branch. To register for information, call (225) 686-4140 or visit mylpl.info

Nature on the Geaux (all ages): 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Animals Around the World program brings a live animal experience with Tanee Janusz. Get up close with creatures from across the globe while learning about their habitats, behaviors and adaptations.

Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-8): 10:30 a.m.

Thursday An interactive bilingual storytime for children and caretakers combines stories, songs and activities in both Spanish and English.

Thread Beads & String Earrings (ages 18 and older): 3 p.m. Thursday Turn bright thread into colorful beads and then string them together into earrings in the ﬁrst class of two classes. In the next class, participants will learn creative ways of stringing beads into jewelry Completion class 1 is required for class 2, so be sure to sign up for both. Registration is required.

WatercolorAnglerfish (ages 3-8): 6 p.m.

Thursday Create an anglerﬁsh that lights up. The Dinosaur Experience (all ages): 5 p.m.

Monday Oversized puppets bring the ancient giants to life when they stomp into the library

Church garage sale set

St. Francis Episcopal Church, 726 Maple St., in Denham Springs is holding a garage sale June 19-20.

Shoppers will ﬁnd a variety clothes, toys, home decor, tools, housewares and more. Proceeds support the mission and ministry of St. Francis Episcopal which holds worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays.

For information, call the church ofﬁce at (225) 225-665-2707 or visit stfrand.org.

Class of ’76 plans 50th reunion

It’s almost time to celebrate for the Denham Springs Class of 1976 — my class.

We were called the Spirit of ‘76 class and everything was red, white in blue in addition to our high school colors. Adults tried to make us understand the importance of celebrating the country’s 200th birthday, but I’m not sure that clicked with a bunch of 17- and 18-year-olds. Now, the Spirit of ‘76 is celebrating as the nation celebrates 250 years The event is planned for June 13 at Forrest Grove in Denham Springs.

Reunion organizers are asking classmates to send photos from 1976 and now for a booklet. To volunteer or share your information with the organizers, email daleh76ds@gmail.com. Congratulations to all the ’76 graduates celebrating their 50th reunion this year.

Vacation Bible school set

St. Francis Episcopal Church’s vacation Bible School theme is “Road Trip — On the Go with God.” The Bible school journey is based on Joshua 1:9 — “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

The program is June 15-19 for kids entering kindergarten through sixth grade Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m.; the program is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 726 Maple St., in Denham Springs. Registration and more about Road Trip VBS is online at stfrands. org, or call the church at (225) 6652707.

Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 603-1998

Livingston shows up at Star of Stars

One of the premier events that comes at the end of every school year is The Advocate’s Star of Stars awards banquet, an event that recognizes athletic excellence throughout the 10-parish metro area. As one of those parishes, Livingston was well represented this year with four athletes and two coaches who were honored. Livingston Parish has nine of the more than 30 high schools that compete in the LHSAA at various levels, and the awards were a reﬂection of the overall quality of its athletes and coaches.

Of the athletes, Live Oak boys powerlifter Dylan Rockett and French Settlement softball player Malloy Miles were named the Star of Stars for their sport, and each was a ﬁnalist for their respective

athlete of the year awards. Also named Star of Stars was French Settlement boys bowler Carson Childers and Walker’s Special Olympian Savannah Marler

French Settlement’s Jake Bourgeois juggled duties as coach of both the boys and girls basketball teams, and led both to the Division III non select state playoffs. While the boys got as far as the quarterﬁnals, the girls won their third overall state championship and their ﬁrst since 1964. Bourgeois was

a finalist for girls coach of the year, but his achievements with both programs were notable. Also a girls coach of the year finalist was Live Oak powerlifting coach Cash Littlefield. The Eagles sent 10 lifters to the state meet, where they edged four-time defending West Monroe for the title. Leading the way was a trio of sophomores Kaila Maher Brynn Catalano and Jenna Robertson — who each finished first in their weight class for a program that finished seventh at the 2025 state meet. Miles knows a few things about playing as an underclassment. French Settlement’s starting pitcher since she was an eighth grader, she had an 0.48 ERA with 225 strikeouts during her junior season. During the season, she surpassed

800 strikeouts for her career as the Lions reached the Division III non select semiﬁnals. Rockett capped off his senior season with an individual championship in the Division I, 181-pound weight

ENTERTAINMENT ON THE BOOKS

entertainment and educational activities.

Livingston libraries plan children’s education events while school’s out

BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer

Joyous sounds of youthful laughter

ﬁlled libraries throughout Livingston Parish on May 18 as doors swung open to a summer of entertaining and educational activities.

The Summer Kickoff Reading Day welcomed parents and youngsters alike, with the added bonus of winning prizes and also presenting projects for children to work on.

“I look at today that is kind of like a birthday party with less cake,” said Scott Kleinpeter, interim director of the library system and manager at the Livingston branch, where he was for the summer kickoff.

See BOOKS, page 2G

about

Community news report

In today’s digital age, the quest for personal and historical knowledge has never been more accessible Livingston Parish Library patrons have free access to two comprehensive online databases for exploring personal and national history a news release said. From immigration records to vital statistics, these resources help uncover ancestral roots and historical connections. Whether tracing family lineage or diving into broader history, the library’s digital collection makes discovery easy and accessible.

The busiest spot May 18 was the front desk. One mother said she told her children they could check out two books, but they each checked out three. ‘I would have been OK with five,’ she said.

too ä See SALTZER, page 2G

Ancestry (Library Edition)

With an online collection of more than 7,000 databases, you can uses sources like censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos and maps.

American Antiquarian Society Gain digital access to a highly comprehensive collection of American periodicals published between 1691 and 1912. Subject coverage includes: advertising, health, women’s issues, science, the history of slavery, industry and professions, religious issues, culture and the arts.

PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK

The Livingston Branch library bustles with activity May 18. The Livingston Parish library system has opened a slate of summer

Bourgeois

Childers Miles Littlefield

Marler

Rockett

Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP

Hammond Regional launches poster design contest

Winner will be used for 2027 airshow

Community news report

The Hammond Regional Arts Center, in partnership with the Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow, is calling on artists of all ages to submit original artwork for the official 2027 Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow Poster Design Contest.

The Hammond Northshore Re-

gional Airshow attracts thousands of visitors and showcases some of the world’s most celebrated aerial performers, including the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

Organizers are seeking a dynamic and original design that captures the excitement, energy and spirit of this beloved regional event.

The selected artist will receive a $1,000 cash prize two tickets to the airshow, and two tickets to the ofﬁcial poster unveiling fundrais-

er on Oct. 17, where the winning design will be revealed publicly

The contest is open to everyone, with no age restrictions or professional artistic experience required.

Artists may work in a variety of mediums, including paint, ink, pencil and digital design, provided all artwork is 100% original and created entirely by human artists. AI-generated artwork is not permitted.

Designs must incorporate the event title, “Hammond North-

SLU hires new director of bands

Community news report

Stephen Morman is the new director of athletic bands and associate director of bands at Southeastern Louisiana University He is coming to Southeastern from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Morman is ﬁnishing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music teaching and learning at the USC Thornton School of Music, where he serves as a graduate teaching assistant.

Prior to his time at USC, Morman spent nine years teaching in the Texas public school system as both an associate director of bands and director of bands at Athens High School in Athens, Texas. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in both K-12 Music Education and Wind Band Conducting from Stephen F Austin State University

“Mr Morman is also a collegiate and professional football enthusiast, who is looking forward to helping enhance the gameday environment at Southeastern through his work with the athletic bands,” said Music and Performing Arts Interim Department Head Logan Place. “He is committed to providing his students with the best possible college band experience while also striving for excellence in the marching arts He is excited to work with the students and faculty at Southeastern and is eager to meet everyone as soon as possible.”

While teaching in Texas, Morman also served on multiple adjudication panels for both the Texas Music Educators Association and the Association of Texas Small School Bands all-state auditions, as well as several local solo and small-ensemble events hosted by surrounding school districts in East Texas

He also taught at the Stephen F. Austin State University Summer Band Camps as a tuba/euphonium masterclass teacher and low brass/low reeds sectional teacher

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mor-

man contributed to a program called The Virtual Band Hall,” where band directors in East Texas compiled practice materials for students while on lockdown in an effort to promote musical learning during a very difﬁcult and isolating time in history Morman has held several positions with the USC School of Music during his time in California, including sectional technician with the USC and “Spirit of Troy” Trojan Marching Band and graduate teaching assistant for the musicology department’s “Electronic Music and Dance Culture” course.

Outside of USC, Morman also conducted and performed with the Camarillo Community Band in California for their Summer Series in 2023 and 2024.

Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi names Woman of the Year

Community news report

Iota Master chapter of Beta Sigma Phi recently celebrated it’s 95th Founder’s Day at Drusilla Restaurant in Baton Rouge.

Nancy McGraw was chosen by members as the chapter’s Woman of the Year “She is a person of strong character and exempliﬁes all the virtues held by Beta Sigma Phi sorority,” a news release said. As a member, her commitment to service is

shown in the chapter as well as the community

“She is selfless and thoughtful, always willing to share her time and talent as well as her resources to those in need,” the release said.

scholarship

Community news report

Receiving the Lloyd F. “Big D” deGeneres Memorial scholarship for 2026 was Brooke Victoria Winter Winter, the daughter of Brett and Jamie Winter, plans are to attend Southeastern Louisiana University to study education.

During her high school years, she “impressed her teachers with her dedication, hard-working, unselﬁsh and creative traits,” a news release said. She has been called a role model for future teachers.

As a student enrolled in Aspiring Education Pathways, a two-year program, Brooke taught lessons and earned observation and teaching hours.

D’deGeneres Memorial Scholarship.

shore Regional Airshow,” and the event dates, Oct. 30–31, 2027. Additional branding and submission requirements will be provided to artists upon pre-registration.

The pre-registration deadline is June 30, and ﬁnal artwork submissions must be received by Aug. 31.

“This contest is an opportunity for artists to become part of the visual legacy of one of the region’s most anticipated events,” said Hammond Airshow Foundation

President Chip Rocker. “We’re excited to see how creative minds

interpret the excitement of aviation, community pride, and the unique experience of the Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow.” For complete contest information and registration details, visit the Hammond Regional Arts Center website at www.hammondarts. org. Information about the airshow can also be found through the ofﬁcial Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow website at www hammondairshow.com.

BOOKS

Continued from page 1G

Adults received a mug with a library logo, but the prizes for young people encountered a bit of difﬁculty

Originally, the prize was scheduled to be a dinosaur squishy, but the library system ran out of those during the soft launch, so they were successfully scrambled to ﬁnd different prizes.

But that did not deter the crowds. By noon on the ﬁrst day of the program, which ends Aug. 18, a combined 1,000 people had already visited the parish’s ﬁve libraries. The Denham Springs branch totaled 500 visitors by noon and in Livingston the number was 140.

“This is very encouraging,” Kleinpeter said. “The Summer Reading Program is important for kids. Statistically, it helps combat the summer slump when they are not in school.

“This gives them an opportunity to keep brains active and engaged.”

Adults and kids are encouraged to sign up for the reading program, either by visiting their library or through an app. Goals are set, and awards presented for most books read.

From reading to dinosaurs to live performers, the parish’s ﬁve libraries offer a diversity of activities One of the more popular is the Crescent Circus, which begins with a slight-of-hand magic show and is followed by an acrobatic performance.

One of the acts is a person hula hooping while spinning on a pipe.

“She is doing all kind of crazy things, balancing her-

The Summer Reading Program is important for kids Statistically, it helps combat the summer slump when they are not in school. This gives them an opportunity to keep brains active and engaged.”

SCOTT KLEINPETER, interim director of the Livingston Parish library system and manager at the Livingston Branch

self on a piece of PVC pipe that is painted black,” Kleinpeter said. “The spectacle is incredible.”

Additional summer shows will include youth ballet and the Dinosaur Experience, scheduled June 15-16 The performers rotate in the ﬁve branches, and each show lasts about an hour Kleinpeter said the shows are entertaining but educational, also in attempt to prevent the “summer slump.”

He explained the library system’s three-pronged approach to hiring performers, saying the ﬁrst is they all must be child-friendly

He said entertainers must be sufficiently different from each other and offer something special that they claim as their own and that will bring interest.

“Third, if they can bring animals in the branch, the kids love that,” Kleinpeter said.

Public relations director David Gray said a year ago more than 23,000 people visited the libraries during the summer But when factoring in those participating in the reading program from their homes, that number is much greater

He said more than 80,000

books were logged in during the reading program on 2025, which accounted for more than a combined 1,000 books a day

Amanda Varnado said her three children enjoy each visit to the library and love learning about animals She said her children also read at home. Varnado admitted visiting the library is a good escape from technology

“We don’t do tablets, and I don’t like their faces buried in a phone,” she added.

“The kids come and we have performers, prizes,” Kleinpeter said. “Most everybody leaves in a good mood, which makes everybody happy

“We always want them to have a positive experience and learning is what we foster.”

He also explained beyond the educational component, every library has a “social value,” offering a free civic space where everyone is welcome.

He said the Livingston branch, which sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood, has a strong community engagement because so many people live nearby

“It’s easy for families to come over and push their strollers with their kids,” Kleinpeter said, noting that one of the library’s employees drives a golf cart to work.

He said the library offers families a safe, friendly place to meet each other

“And we have air conditioning as compared to the park,” Kleinpeter added with a smile. For more information on any one of the library’s programs visit https://www mylpl.info.

PROVIDED PHOTO Brooke Victoria Winter received the Lloyd F ‘Big

PROVIDED PHOTO

Southeastern Louisiana University has hired Stephen Morman as the new director of athletic bands and associate director of bands.

PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK

Children were also able to play with samples for dinosaur parties on May 18 as doors swung open to a summer of entertaining and educational activities at the Livingston Parish libraries.

Area teens place at Junior Angus show

Community news report

The 2026 Louisiana Junior Angus Association Preview Show was May 10, in Alexandria.

Entrants from Zachary, Denham Springs, Ethel and Slaughter were among the top ﬁnishers

Cheyenne Jones, of Baldwin, evaluated the 30 entries.

Area winners include: Rory Forbes, of Zachary, won champion overall showman.

Camryn Greene, of Slaughter, and Ben Forbes, of Zachary, qualiﬁed to represent Louisiana at the National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest held in conjunction with the National Junior Angus Show this July in Louisville, Kentucky

Grand Champion PGS Female

TXLO Sandy 0612 won grand champion phenotype and genotype female. Hollis Pellerin, of Zachary owns the June 2025 daughter of Silveiras Forbes 8088.

Grand Champion

Bred-and-owned Bull

TXLO Cuerno Bravo X99 won grand champion bred-and-owned bull and grand champion phenotype and genotype bull. Lane Pellerin, of Zachary, owns the April 2025 son of BRDG Mahogany Prime 904B.

Grand Champion Owned Female

Meyer LK Forever Lady 5314 won grand champion owned female. Ben Forbes, of Zachary owns the October 2025 daughter of KABG Closing Time 30.

Grand Champion Owned Bull PCC Firepower 265 won grand champion owned bull. Rory Forbes, of Zachary, owns the January 2024 son of Silveiras Convoy 0340.

Junior Champion Showman

Hollis Pellerin, of Zachary, won champion honors in junior showmanship.

Intermediate Showmanship

Lane Pellerin, of Zachary, was the champion in intermediate showmanship. Josie Sibille, of

PROVIDED PHOTO

Serving as judges at the 4-H culinary contest from left, Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community members Pam Villagran, Daphne Griffin, Jenafay Foster, Jean Hebert and Kathy Brandon.

TVFC members judge 4-H Culinary Arts event

Community news report

Members from Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community on May 12

served as judges for the annual Southeast Regional 4-H Culinary Arts Contest event at the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Training Facility in Walker

Jean Hebert, Pam Villagran, Kathy Brandon and Daphne Grifﬁn served as judges. Jenakay Foster, a friend of Hebert’s, assisted with judging the entries.

The club members taste, then judged prepared food items from several categories based on a point system for four criteria: Reci-

pe, Taste, Appearance, and Uniqueness The food categories included Seafood, Egg, Beef, Poultry, Sugar, Louisiana Commodities and Wild Game.

Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community is an all-volunteer arm of LSU Agriculture Extension Service. It consists of two clubs: Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community and Sunshine Ladies. For information about TVFC, email TVFC president Gloria Messenger, at ggmessenger1@gmail.com or Membership Chair Sue Nelson at suenelson41@ yahoo.com.

TVFC holds appreciation luncheon

Community news report

On May 20, Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hammond.

TVFC Vice President Marie Heck served as chair for the event. She worked with planning committee members Anita Murray, Ginny Shartle, Lucie Hanewinkel, Gail Calderone and Pam Villagran.

Honored guests were recently retired LSU Ag Center Administrative Coordinator Melissa Orgoyne, Victoria Derks, Angeal Dixon, Nathan Dixon, Megan Bourliea and Julie Shartle The Rev Louis Boldt of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church was also in attendance to give the opening and closing prayer for the event.

Kicking off the event presentations, TVFC’s Scholarship Chair Jean Hebert recognized the club’s 2025 scholarship award recipients Braden Bourliea, Jolie Derks and Caden Dixon, who graduated at various Tangipahoa high schools.

The scholarship funds that the students will receive will be earmarked to go toward their college expenses this fall when they attend the Louisiana university of their choice Each student gave a brief speech to thank the TVFC members for their recognition and to share their future aspirations in their chosen ﬁeld of studies.

Bourliea in the grandson of TVFC Secretary Ann Bourliea and Dixon is the grandson of TVFC member Jean Johnson.

Short memorial service was performed by Ginny and Julie Shartle for Julie’s mother, Emma McDaniel. McDaniel was a loyal member of TVFC until her death in 2025.

Following the memorial service, TVFC President Gloria Messenger presented numerous certiﬁcates to members in recognition of various club achievements they had completed during the 2025 calendar year On behalf of the statewide organization, Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community Messenger announced that TVFC had been awarded a Mini-

Grant and a Charity Grant for two of the club’s community outreach programs.

Messenger presented TVFC’s Membership Chair

Sue Nelson with the coveted Heart of LVFC Award, which she received at the LVFC state convention last month.

LVFC awards the plaque each year to the LVFC member who best exempliﬁes an ongoing dedication in service to LVFC, their individual parish club, and their local com-

munity though their work with various club projects and by holding various club ofﬁce and committee chair positions.

Nelson was nominated by TVFC Reporter Pam Villagran, and she has been in LVFC/TVFC for over 50 years.

Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community is an all-volunteer arm of LSU Agriculture Extension Service. It consists of two chapters:

Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community and Sunshine Ladies. TVFC is one of several Parish clubs that make up the statewide organization, Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community

Anyone wanting more information about TVFC local groups can email Messenger, at ggmessenger1@gmail. com or Membership Chair, Sue Nelson at suenelson41@ yahoo.com.

Ethel, reserve champion; Rayna Crawford, of Pearl River, third place; Emma Le Jeune, of Elton, fourth place; and Jackson Shirley, of DeRidder ﬁfth place.

Senior Showmanship

Rory Forbes, of Zachary, was champion in senior showmanship Christian Corsentino, of Denham

Springs, reserve champion; Camryn Greene, of Slaughter, third place; Addison Sibley, Pine Grove, of Ethel, fourth place; and Olivia Shirley of DeRidder ﬁfth place.

PHOTO BY LOUISIANA JUNIOR ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Junior Angus members who won top honors in senior showmanship at the 2026 Louisiana Junior Angus Association Preview Show, May 10, 2026, in Alexandria, are from left, Rory Forbes, Zachary, champion; Christian Corsentino, Denham Springs, reserve champion; Camryn Greene, Slaughter third place; Addison Sibley, Pine Grove fourth place; and Olivia Shirley, DeRidder fifth place.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Attending the recent Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community luncheon are, from left, Caden Dixon, Jolie Derks, Jean Hebert and Braden Bourliea.

SLU honors science, technology students

Community news report

Southeastern Louisiana Uni-

Community news report

Spring graduates from the region include: LSU

LSU graduation ceremonies were May 15-16 in various buildings on campus.

Livingston Parish

Abby Lorraine Selser: bachelor’s, cum laude, Walker

Adrieanna D. Brooks: online, master’s, Walker

Ainsley Gabrielle Barker: master’s, Denham Springs

Alexander B. Colwart: bachelor’s, Walker

Alexis Brianna Covington: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Walker

Ali Noel Kennedy: bachelor’s, Walker Allison Elise DePriest: bachelor’s, Albany

Alyssa Brooke Stevison: master’s, Denham Springs

Alyssa Paige Holden: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Amelia Jones: bachelor’s, Livingston

Andrew R. Lusby: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Angelena Maria Tranchina: bachelor’s, French Settlement

Angelique Cymone Harris: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Anna Kathryn Glynn: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Antoinette M. Idong: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Ashley Bridevaux: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Avery Hebert: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Benjamin Goodman: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Benjamin Kimble: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Benjamin Paul Blackwell: bachelor’s, Walker

Blake Andon Mitzimberg: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Brady D. Robertson: online, bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Braylee Ann Boze: bachelor’s, cum laude, Denham Springs

Brennan M. Boeneke: bachelor’s, Maurepas

Brianna Laurelle Daigle: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Brock Easton Magee: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Brodie T. Demoulin: online, bachelor’s, Walker

Brooke Nicole Ransome: master’s, Denham Springs

Caitlin Nicole Shields: online, bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Caleb Joshua Seals: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Caleb P. Woods: bachelor’s, Springﬁeld

Cameron Nicole McCleary: bachelor’s, Port Vincent

Cameron R. Restivo: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Christian Lee Jackson: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Cindy Yang: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Clayton M. Prudhomme: bachelor’s, Springﬁeld

Colby Jay Faust: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Colin R. McDonald: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

for outstanding academic performance at the college’s honors convocation May 6. Local students recognized include: Carlie Bankston, of Denham

Springs, Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Chemistry; and Jared Talbot, of Walker, Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Computer Science.

SPRING COLLEGE GRADUATES

Community news report

Conan Mills: master’s, Denham Springs

Connor Thurman: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Corey Keller: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Denham Springs

Courtney Trull: online, master’s, Denham Springs

Crew Mathews: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Dalton Diez: master’s, Denham Springs

Delana J Touchet: bachelor’s, Livingston

Devan William Perkins: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Dillon Thomas Ahlf: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Dominique Williams: bachelor’s, Baton Rouge

Don W. Hunter: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Dusty Diez: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Dystanie L. Ricard: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Edward Vincent Allison: bachelor’s, Livingston

Ella Elkins: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Emily Broussard Lynch: bachelor’s, Walker

Eric Graham Selser: bachelor’s, Walker

Ethan A Songy: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Ethan Joseph Woodward: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Eva Marie Denino: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Finley James Westmoreland: bachelor’s, Walker

Hadley D. Tompkins: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Hagen J. Parra: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Hailee Layne Lemoine: bachelor’s, Walker

Hannah Roe: online, master’s, Walker Hayden Jeremy Baio: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Ignacio Dominguez Jr : bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Isabella M. Bull: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Walker Jacob Middlebrook: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Jade M. Brignac: bachelor’s, Springﬁeld Jaden Leger: bachelor’s, Denham Springs James Logan McMenis: bachelor’s, Denham Springs Jane Ashley Parker: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Jenna Katherine Magee: bachelor’s, Denham Springs Joshua Ridge: bachelor’s, Walker Kalynn Lee: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Kamdyn Raine Davis: bachelor’s, Denham Springs Kassandra Elaine Morgan: bachelor’s, Denham Springs Kassidy Victoria Herrin: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Kayce Michael Robinson: bachelor’s, Denham Springs Kaydence Elizabeth Bagot: bachelor’s, Livingston Kenley Marie Boudreaux: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Lakisha Banks: online, bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Lauren Kelli Esmon: online, master’s, Denham Springs

Mackenzie Noelle Smith: master’s, Livingston

Madison E. Rowlen: bach-

elor’s, cum laude, Walker

Marisa Jule Rickard: master’s, Denham Springs

Marissa Grace Holloway: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Marquetta Anderson: Doctorate, Denham Springs

Mary Beth McGehee: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Mason Vega Pierce: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Matthew J. Larpenter: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Springﬁeld

Matthew Wayne McClung: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Matthieu A McIntosh: master’s, Denham Springs

Meghan Elaine Hedglin: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Mia Brudnicki: online, master’s, Denham Springs

Michael L. Creel II: bachelor’s, cum laude, Denham Springs

Miranda Renée Logan: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Molly McMaster: bachelor’s, cum laude, Denham Springs

Mya Cate Calmes: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Natalie Kay Stewart: master’s, Denham Springs

Nathan Rodrigue: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Nicholas Chase Crawford: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Nicholas Gregory Pendleton: bachelor’s, Walker

Nicholas L. Pinkerton: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Nyla Rashay Travis: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Olivia James: bachelor’s, Maurepas

Owen B. Cooper: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Paige Scott Roberts: online, bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Princess Olaes: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Rachael L. Libersat: online, master’s, Denham Springs

Rachel D. Jeanlouis: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Reagan Welch: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Ryleigh Marie Volland: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Rylie Nicole Fisher: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Denham Springs

Sadie Forbes: master’s, Denham Springs

Savannah Elizabeth Bull: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Walker

Savannah M. Toups: bachelor’s, Walker

Shane Bryant Demars: bachelor’s, Walker

Shelby J. Sanchez: online, bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Sidney S. Mayeux: bachelor’s, cum laude, Denham Springs

Sophie Elizabeth Inman: bachelor’s, Walker

Stephanie Espinoza: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Sydney Junot: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Sydney Lynn Lawson: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Walker

Sydni Nicole Mayo: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Tanisha Christy: online, master’s, Denham Springs

Tayte A. St Ann: bachelor’s, Walker

Each graduate was presented with a commemorative Nightingale lamp by Northern Louisiana Medical Center Following successful completion of the NCLEX-RN national licensing exam, the graduates are registered nurses. La.

Forty-seven Louisiana Tech University students received their professional nursing pins in a pinning ceremony May 22 then graduated at spring commencement May 23 in the Thomas Assembly Center Area graduates include Broderick “Brody” Doan, of Hammond, and Evelyn “Evie” Perdue, of St. Francisville.

Tho Truong Phan: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Travis R Pasquier: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Tremare D. Franklin: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Tyler A. Beatty: bachelor’s, Denham Springs

Virginia Stevenson Weber: online, master’s, Springﬁeld

Zachary James Schubert: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Denham Springs

Tangipahoa Parish

Aaron Scott: bachelor’s, Hammond

Abry Layrisson: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Ponchatoula

Alaina Louise Strong: bachelor’s, Hammond

Alexis Breaux: online, master’s, Ponchatoula

Allison C. Gordon: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Alyssa Marie Hightower: bachelor’s, Hammond

Amber Elise Moreno: bachelor’s, cum laude, Ponchatoula

Anastasia N. Vincent: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Ava Robertson: bachelor’s, cum laude, Loranger

Beau Johnson: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Beau M. Domingue: bachelor’s, Hammond

Benjamin Alexander Pan: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Kentwood

Brandon Thomas Conerly: bachelor’s, cum laude, Kentwood

Brandy D. Owens: online, master’s, Ponchatoula

Brooke Evelyn Biller: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Caine J. Terrio: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Cameron Sue Wainwright: bachelor’s, Hammond

Carlos Manuel Pastrana: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Cheyenne White: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Dali Alise Hughes: bachelor’s, Hammond

Devin Douglass Givens: bachelor’s, Amite

Devon Bass Kendrick Tucker: master’s, Amite

Emily Grace Wells: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Emma Kate Gebbia: bachelor’s, Hammond

Gavin Tate: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Independence

George Lee Griffin III: bachelor’s, cum laude, Hammond

Henry Ross Giluso IV: bachelor’s, Hammond

Jake Inman Slaton: bachelor’s, Loranger

Jaquan Omar Cooper: bachelor’s, Hammond

Jarrett Dylan Jordan: online, bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Karen A. Berger: bachelor’s, Loranger

Katie Miranda Wallace: master’s, Amite

Landon B. Neal: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Fluker

Landon Charles Davis: bachelor’s, Hammond

Louis Eugene Weaver Jr.: online, bachelor’s, Hammond

Luke Allen Erdey: bachelor’s, Hammond

Mark Preston Richardson

Sr.: online, bachelor’s, Hammond

Martha Raffaela Rigney: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Hammond

Mason Paul Binder: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Amite

Matthew Allen Pellittieri: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Matthew D. Benfield: bachelor’s, Loranger

McAuley Elizabeth Bass: online, master’s, Hammond

Nathan Javier Soto: bachelor’s, Tickfaw

Nathan Luke Drummond: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Hammond

Nicholas Scott Guagliardo: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Paris Maakiya Bickham: bachelor’s, cum laude, Hammond

Quinn Michael Paddock: bachelor’s, Hammond

Raneisha Deon Paynes: online, master’s, Hammond

Richard Parker McLemore III: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Ponchatoula

Rohan Ashok Patel: bachelor’s, cum laude, Hammond

Ryleigh Lorene Castello: bachelor’s, cum laude, Ponchatoula

Shawn All.en Henderson: online, Post-Baccalaureate

Certiﬁcate, Ponchatoula

Skylar L. Levy: bachelor’s, Hammond

Sophie R. Romano: bachelor’s, Hammond

Tayla Scherri Anderson: bachelor’s, Ponchatoula

Taylor E. McGovern: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Robert

Therron K. Starwood Jr : online, bachelor’s, Hammond

Ty Edward Donley: master’s, Ponchatoula

Tyler S. Manning: bachelor’s, magna cum laude, Hammond

Tyrus Ah’Keen Selders: bachelor’s, Tickfaw

William Louis Ollie V: bachelor’s, summa cum laude, Independence McNeese University

McNeese State University conferred degrees on 675 graduates during two ceremonies for the university’s 166th commencement on May 22, in McNeese’s Townsley Law Arena.

Graduates from the area include:

Livingston Parish

Denham Springs: Mason Edwards, Bachelor of General Studies

Walker: Briana Michelle Robinson, Bachelor of Science in Management; Ryann E. Schexnayder, Bachelor of General Studies

Tangipahoa Parish

Ponchatoula: Steven Smith, Bachelor of General Studies

Springfield: Jalencia Pierre, Bachelor of General Studies

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock recently held

commencement ceremonies to recognize 1,237 students who earned degrees or certiﬁcates from the university’s five colleges and graduate school.

Susan Caroline Gunby, of Livingston, and Kristin Elizabeth Plausky, of St. Amant, graduated with a bachelor of science in medical laboratory science from the UAMS College of Health Professions.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette held several commencement ceremonies May 15, 2026, at the Cajundome.

Livingston Parish Baccalaureate Degree