Dutchtown baseball … consistency and tradition
heard and coaches our freshmen team,” Schexnaydre said. The Griffins are 19-8 (at press time) and ranked third in the power rankings. The Griffins started out 0-3,
Denstorff
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Saturday’s Dutchtown High School’s FFA Plant Sale & Farmers Market featured flowers, plants and carpentry projects available for the public to purchase.
ä See GROWING,
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on March 5-19:
MARCH 5
GRAY, KENDELL LESTER: 1707 Seagull St., Houston, Texas;36; fugitive-other state jurisdiction, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), simple assault
DAVIS, BLAKE SHANDLER: 17074 Richmond Drive, Prairieville; 24; two counts theft less than $1,000, organized retail theft $1,000 to less than $5,000
DENNIS, SAMANTHA: 711 Houmas St., No. 8, Donaldsonville; 47; failure to appear-bench warrant
WESTLEY, CHRISTOPHER D.: 1218 Bryant St. Donaldsonville; 44; criminal trespass/trespassing of real property, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, simple criminal damage to property less than $1 000
JOHNSON JR., EARL: 16332 Natalie Lane, Prairieville; 45; surety, failure to appear-bench warrant
GEASON, RAYMOND: 2320 S. Edward Ave., Gonzales; 67; resisting an officer, domestic abuse battery domestic abuse aggravated assault
CAPELLO, NICHOLAS JOSEPH: 327 W. Jeansonne St., Gonzales; 35; violations of protective orders
DAVIS, JAMEICKA MONA: 17237 Old Jefferson Highway, Prairieville; 24; failure to appear-bench warrant, battery of a dating partner
MICHEL, DAVID M.: 201 Walnut Lane Grand Isle; 64; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
ANDERSON, ASHTON M.: 16064 Macaluso Lane, Prairieville; 20; indecent behavior with juveniles, carnal knowledge of a juvenile
MARCH 6
TALBERT, ANTHONY: 11271 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge; 21; obstruction of justice/all others, reckless operation, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance
flight from an officer, aggravated
RUTH, TITUS DESEAN: 8544 S. St Landry Ave., Gonzales; 34; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment
SMITH, DARRELL K.: 12328 Rue De Le Bois, Gonzales; 40; operating vehicle while license is suspended, careless operation, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-child endangerment law
WASHINGTON, JEREMY JAMAHL: 3113 Mt. Bethel Lane, Donaldsonville; 43; surety, three counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction
FRYOUX, JUSTIN RYAN: 17520 Soaring Flight Drive, Prairieville; 42; disturbing the peace/simple assault, second-degree battery
HENRY, KAGIA MASIA: 420 N. Mallet St., Eunice; 31; theft less than $1 000
ESCANLANTE, MARIA: address unknown; 27; cruelty to juveniles
JAMES, EDWARD BRYANT: 1104 E. Bonnie St., Gonzales; 36; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, operating vehicle while license is suspended, expired motor vehicle inspection, registrationcommercial vehicles/expired plate, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids
BYRD, DILLAN MICHAEL: 13477 Orleans Drive, Gonzales; 18; contributing to the delinquency of juveniles-commission of any other felony, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, negligent carrying of a concealed handgun, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling MELANCON, BLAIN PAUL: 45152 Sterling Road, St. Amant; 35; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
MARCH 7
VASQUEZ, EDUARDO: La. 44; 41; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, security required, driver must be licensed, registration-commercial vehicles/ expired plate, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia
JONES, KARSON: 8544 S. St. Landry Ave. No. 50, Gonzales; 18; failure to appear-bench warrant
LANDRY, SAVON KENDALE: 204 Freetown Lane, Belle Rose; 25; violations of protective orders, failure to appear-bench warrant, stalking, criminal trespass/trespassing of real property
ARMSTRONG, ATAVIA: address unknown; 30; simple criminal dam-
age to property less than $1,000, domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse battery with a weapon
MILLIEN, MICAH AARON: 13250 Roddy Road, No. 22, Gonzales; 34; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, no seat belt, vehicles without required equipment or in unsafe condition, driver must be licensed, security required, proper equipment required on vehicles-display of plate, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, theft less than $1,000
JONES, MICHAEL WAYNE: 41149 La. 42, No. 25, Prairieville; 52; operating vehicle while license is suspended, hit-and-run driving
PERILLOUX, COREY M.: 39479 Quail Creek Ave., Prairieville; 56; domestic abuse battery
PONCE, ISRAEL ANDRADE: 31008 Honeysuckle St., Denham Springs; 23; four counts failure to appearbench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, security required, driver must be licensed, when lighted lamps are required, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine)
MARCH 8
HIGGINS, JUSTIN RICHARD: 39173 Germany Road, Prairieville; 45; failure to report accident, careless operation, operating while intoxicated-third
CISNEROS, BANEGAS: address unknown; 19; underage operating while intoxicated
EISLEY, ETHAN: 1072 Oregon Ave Port Allen; 25; operating while intoxicated-first
RUIZ, MAICOL M.: 2519 Wytchwood Drive, Metairie; 22; maximum speed limit, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior NORDER, KERI LYNN: 6334 Bridgeport Drive, Greenwell Springs; 40; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, false certificates, driving on roadway laned for traffic
ANDERSON, CLARENCE MICHAEL: 837 Lakehaven Drive, Gonzales; 34; failure to appear-bench warrant
MARCH 9
CONLEY, TYRONE DEMETRICE: 39071 Cornerview Road, Gonzales; 35; operating vehicle while license is suspended, prohibited acts; drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana more than 14 grams, entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden
GASPARD, CHRISTY LEIGH: 40492 Adele St., Gonzales; 46; failure to appear-bench warrant
PARKER, KIRI TYKANAWA: 3877 Foster Lane, Vacherie; 25; stop signs and yield signs, maximum speed limit, driving on roadway laned for traffic, stop signs and yield signs, traffic-control signals, reckless operation, aggravated flight from an officer
OLIVAS, LUIS CARLOS: 37371 Southwood Village Ave., Prairieville; 38; disturbing the peace/simple assault, simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000, simple battery, computer tampering, second degree battery
SHEPPARD, JOEL LYNN: 6182 Dalark Drive, Baton Rouge; 49; theft less than $1,000
MORRISON, SHIREEKA RICHSHELLE: 6506 Stoneview Ave, Baker; 31; theft less than $1,000
MITCHELL, BENTON PAUL: 10127 Jefferson Blvd., Baton Rouge; 32; two counts telephone communications/ improper language/ harassment DUVERNAY, MINDY ANN: 2087 Seracedar Drive, Baton Rouge; 43; failure to appear-bench warrant MCCHESNEY, PATRICK SHANE: 10037 La. 22, No. 7, St. Amant; 40; violations of protective orders
NELSON, CORINNE ANN: 8393 Phillips Road, St. Amant; 35; cruelty to juveniles
MARCH 10
DESIRA, AQUENDAS RONTRELL: 1215 St. Patrick St., Donaldsonville; 35; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, distribution/possession with intent to distribute MDMA, distribution/ possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), distribution/possession with the intent to distribute heroin, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute
marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, illegal possession of stolen firearms, illegal carry of weaponscrime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, display of temporary registration license plates
COLDWATER, JANAE A.: 3118 La. 18 W, Donaldsonville; 26; four counts failure to appear-bench warrant, resisting an officer
BULLIARD, JACOB CHE: 39407 Richardson Road, Prairieville; 45; state probation violation, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) failure to appear-bench warrant
VINES, JOHN TIMOTHY: 37064 Rivergate Ave, Geismar; 51; domestic abuse battery-second
DOWELL, LLENE L.: 304 W. Bordelon
St., Gonzales; 34; owner to secure registration, driving on roadway laned for traffic, failure to appearbench warrant, two counts fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction
MARCH 11
FONTENOT, KERN PATRICK: 43043 Wayne Stevens Road, Gonzales; 46; state probation violation, resisting an officer, criminal trespass/ all other, expired motor vehicle inspection, proper equipment required on vehicles; display of plate, stop lamps and turn signals required on new motor vehicles, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
RICKARD, JORDAN: 37055 Murphy Webb Ave., Prairieville; 41; disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous manner/disorderly conduct, second degree battery
ELPHAGE, DARWIN A.: 15208 Melrose Drive, Prairieville; 47; possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies
ROGERS JR., LARRY DONELL: 6861 Winbourne Ave., Baton Rouge; 45; parole violation, three counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, two counts failure to appear-bench warrant
RICKS, DANNY S.: 219 E. Railroad St., Gonzales; 43; theft of a motor vehicle $5,000 to $25,000
SARVAUNT, CLINT: 14653 Stoneberg Ave., Baton Rouge; 56; criminal trespass/trespassing of real property, theft less than $1,000, simple burglary WHITE, JAROD ANTHONY: 511 E. Chuck St., Gonzales; 37; simple battery
YOUNG, JAYDON: 511 E. Chuck St., Gonzales; 22; aggravated assault with a firearm
GABEL, JOSEPH: 4113 Dickerson Drive; 35; disturbing the peace/ drunkenness
RICCA JR., LEO P.: 12316 John Lambert Road, Gonzales; 65; trafficcontrol signals, operating while intoxicated-second NICHOLAS, KENDRICK JEFFERY: 1809 E. Bayou Road, Donaldsonville; 32; failure to appear-bench warrant
MARCH 12
KREVOLT, ANN MAUREEN: 115 S Buillon Ave., Gonzales; 37; negligent arson
WAGNER, TANGA EVETTE: 5213 Tolbert Ave., Baton Rouge; 53; failure to appear-bench warrant, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000, second degree robbery, three counts theft less than $1,000
MIGLIORE IV, JOSEPH SAM: 11113
Irene E. Deslatte Road, St. Amant; 57; prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)
DELAUNE, KEELIE ANNE: 16147 Crepe Myrtle Drive, Baton Rouge; 41; theft less than $1,000
BOURGEOIS, MICHAEL C.: 37186 Grist Mill Ave., Geismar; 44; domestic abuse battery
MARCH 13
LEWIS, LOGAN KAITLYN: 2145 S Helens Way Ave., Gonzales; 24; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment
LARUE, JUSTIN CARDELL: 1201 Orrin St., Lake Charles; 47; battery of a dating partner
GARRISON, AQUINDICE LAMAR: 712 Lessard St., Donaldsonville; 35; theft – two convictions or more
JABER, MAHDY:, 17748 Lake Azalea Drive, Baton Rouge; 38; simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000, battery of a dating partnerthird offense
PEREZ-BARRANCO, PEDRO LUIS: 12326 Shay Ave., Baton Rouge; 27; in
for court, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, four simple criminal damage to property $1,000 to $50,000, theft over $25,000, theft
$5,000 but less than $25,000, theft
$1,000 but less than $5,000, theft
$5,000 but less than $25,000, unauthorized entry of a place of business
HARRY, TYREAN: 7354 Freetown St., St. James; 29; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, second degree murder/attempt
BURTON, KEVIN: 8718 Apricot St., New Orleans; 24; failure to appearbench warrant
PAYNE, JOHNTHAN CHERMAINE: 5123 Paige St., Baton Rouge; 40; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant
DUPLESSIS, PEYTON LANE: 30921 Goldenrod St., Denham Springs; 25; telephone communications/improper language/harassment
GRAYSON, JENNA GNEWIKOW: 4920 Canal Drive, Alexandria; 40; fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction
MAGHEE, LAQUNNA C.: 10504 La. 22, No. 15, St. Amant; 43; simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000
LOPEZ, WILTER E.: 11612 W. Sherwood Meadow Ave., Baton Rouge; 26; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
RODDY, DESIREE NICOLE: 40472 Thais Road, Prairieville; 23; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, breach of bail condition
CAMPBELL, JOSEPH ANTOINE: 9374 Airline Highway, Sorrento; 41; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
MARCH 14
KELLY, TIONNE DANIEL: 113 Favorite St., Donaldsonville; 25; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, three counts failure to appear-bench warrant
FRISARD, SABRINA LEIGH: 9196 W La. 936, St. Amant; 17; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
JONES, ANTHONY: 3350 La. 1 S., No. 1, Donaldsonville; 45; failure to appearbench warrant
MAIOCCHI, EVAN D.: 16378 Anna Belle Drive, Prairieville; 31; careless operation, hit-and-run driving, operating while intoxicated-second offense
HOYAL, TIY’QUAN R.: 1190 St. James St., Vacherie; 22; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, failure to appear-bench warrant
DOMANGUE, RYAN TYLOR: 370 Garden View Drive, Houma; 32; disturbing the peace/drunkenness
MARCH 15
BROOKS, PEGGY N.: 1521 Bailey St., Monroe; 50; criminal mischief/giving of any false alarm of fire or notice
WADE, JETARO R.: 308 W. Eleventh St., Donaldsonville; 23; prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction
COLLIER, TRENTON: 15630 Magicstone Ave., Prairieville; 37; operating while intoxicated-first offense
DAVIS, FREDRICK: 2604 Crowder Blvd., New Orleans; 53; registrationcommercial vehicles/expired plate, operating vehicle while license is suspended, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, operating while intoxicated-second offense
DAVIS, JAROD: 38270 Graystone Ave Prairieville; 28; violations of protective orders
PLEASANT, JE’MON: 307 Claiborne St., Donaldsonville; 26; riding or hunting on levees, required position and method of turning at intersections, stop signs and yield signs, reckless operation, safety helmets, off-road vehicles-authorization for use on the shoulders of certain public roads and highways, criminal trespass/trespassing of real property, resisting an officer, aggravated flight from an officer
MARCH 16
COLEMAN, JOHNISHA KANISHA: 3512 Ursula Ave., New Orleans; 27; masks or hoods, wearing in public places prohibited-penalty, organized retail theft
$1,000 to less than $5,000, theft
$1,000 but less than $5,000
RIZAN, CALEB MICHAEL: 18522 King George Bay Road, French Settlement; 21; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
BROWN, KEDRON DAMON: 5440 Mar-
tin Luther King Parkway, Carville; 38; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, battery of a dating partner
CARTER JR., ERIC CAPOTES: 13123 Country Park Ave., Baton Rouge; 29; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
JONES, BILL: 17009 Lynwood Ave., Greenwell Springs; 74; aggravated assault with a firearm
VAIL, DUSTIN BROOKS: 9802 Kathi Ann Lane, Houston, Texas; 52; fugitive-other state jurisdiction
ARNOLD, JACOB WILLIAM: 7183 Pirie Drive, Denham Springs; 33; theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000
BUSH, BROOKLYN NICOLE: 23414 Pleasant Court, Zachary; 27; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
CANAS, MANUEL WILFREDO: 12233 Colonial Oaks Road, Gonzales; 32; driver must be licensed, driving on roadway laned for traffic, tail lamps, while intoxicated-first
MARCH 17
DAVIS, AMANDA PETERSON: 30810 La. 405, White Castle; 34; possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), fugitive-other state jurisdiction
OLIVERA-VALLECILLO, ERICK: 2200 Tiffany Drive, Laplace; 22; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, reckless operation, operating a vehicle while intoxicatedsecond BROWN, JOLISSA: 733 Camelia Ave., La Place; 36; violations of protective orders
JOHNSON JR., TYRONE ANTONE: 2552 Madison Ave., Baton Rouge; 30; vehicle turning left at intersection, operating vehicle while license is suspended, possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, operating while intoxicated-second
MARCH 18
WARD, SAKIAH COLETTE: 43337 Willie Bell Road, Gonzales; 28; resisting an officer, disturbing the peace/ language/disorderly conduct, aggravated assault JOHNSON, TREVOR DAQUAWAN: 1707 Joseph St., Donaldsonville; 18; criminal trespass/trespassing of real property, simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000 GREEN, RAUANEE Y.: 1506 Millien Road, Donaldsonville; 33; four counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, RODRIGUEZ, SAMUEL DANE: 11132 La. 22, Ponchatoula; 38; fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction BENTAHAR, MOHAMMED: 14386 Airline Highway, No. 2018, Gonzales; 18; reckless operation WILLIAMS, JARI LESTAE: 814 Richard St., Gretna; 35; identity theft, bank fraud, unlawful production/manufacturing/or distribution of fraudulent document, computer fraud, identity theft, illegal transmission of monetary funds, forgery, bank fraud RILEY, RONTRELL T.: 3290 Ourso Road, Donaldsonville; 37; video voyeurism WASHINGTON, BRANDON P.: 281 Annette Drive, Marrero; 42; failure to appear-bench warrant BUECHE, KALEB MATTHEW: 43339 Shirley Cannon Road, Gonzales; 21; violations of protective orders BEDGOOD, STEPHANIE VERMEL: 22417 Teal St., Maurepas; 43; parole violation KNIGHTEN, JAMCEL TYWANE: 14249 Locust St., Baton Rouge; 50; hit-andrun driving RILEY, SEMORI TRISTINE: 15251 Cedar Springs Road, Gonzales; 32; two counts state probation violation, three counts failure to appearbench warrant, false imprisonment, domestic abuse battery-strangulation, domestic abuse battery-child endangerment, theft of a motor vehicle $5,000 to $25,000, second degree rape BURCIAGA, LILIANA: 43470 Galvez Oaks Drive, Prairieville; 33; operating a vehicle while intoxicated-first COYNE, DAMON: 173 Southfield Parkway, Lafayette; 44; operating a vehicle while intoxicated-first MARCH 19
WINLEY, DIAMOND KRISTEL: 184 Dorseyville Lane, Belle Rose; 25; owner to secure registration, display of plates, security required, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, no seat belt, careless operation, operating while intoxicated-first offense
Sorrento Primary selected as finalist for national award
Community news report
Sorrento Primary School has won $10,000 for its selection as an NIET Founder’s Award finalist, the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching.
The Founder’s Award was created by Lowell Milken in 2008 to honor one school in the United States each year for exceptional implementation of NIET’s principles to build educator excellence and advance student success, according to a news release.
Sorrento Primary School is among five schools nationwide under consideration for the $50,000 grand prize, which will be announced April 1 at NIET’s national conference in New Orleans.
“We celebrate Sorrento Primary School’s success under the leadership of Principal Honey Lundin,” said NIET founder Lowell Milken. “Guided by a strong Instructional Leadership Team, teachers work together to set academic goals that connect daily professional learning to the needs of the classroom. Milken congratulated Principal Honey
Lundin Ascension Public Schools Superintendent Edith Walker and the Sorrento Primary team for “their commitment to building a culture of excellence.”
Founder’s Award finalists are selected by NIET based on several factors, including improving classroom instruction, creating high-quality professional learning focused on the real-time needs of teachers and students, and engaging teacher leaders and school leaders in building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, according to the release.
By creating opportunities for teacher collaboration and individual coaching, Sorrento Primary School has increased student academic growth. The percentage of students achieving Mastery and above on the state assessments across all subjects increased by five points between 2023 and 2025, compared to a one-point increase statewide in the same span.
The campus’s School Performance Score has steadily increased in recent years, moving from 80 in 2019 to 89 in 2025.
“The leadership team at Sorrento Primary
School is dedicated to building the capacity of all educators, including by providing opportunities for professional learning and creating a career pathway,” said NIET
Chief Executive Officer Joshua Barnett. “As a result of their efforts, teachers are increasing their effectiveness and students are guaranteed access to high-quality instruction.”
What makes Sorrento Primary special?
Sorrento Primary School educates just over 650 students ranging from prekindergarten to fifth grade, 65% of whom are economically disadvantaged. In partnering with NIET to implement the TAP System for teacher and student advancement, Lundin and her leadership team are fostering a growth mindset and ensuring that all teachers and students have the individualized support they need to succeed, according to the release.
As part of the TAP System, Sorrento Primary School has established weekly professional learning meetings led by teacher leaders, distributed leadership through an Instruc-
Children race to collect eggs during Saturday’s Easter egg hunt at the Sorrento Community
The popular annual event included children’s crafts and activities.
HUNT
Continued from page 1G
she helps to let the schools know about it.” This year’s event also included inflatables, sack races, free hot dogs, chips and cotton candy
The Boucherie and Balloon Festival royalty were on hand to spread awareness about the festival’s partnership with the Sorrento Lions Club on initiatives. Ava Savoy, the 2025 Boucherie and Balloon Festival queen, focused on the Lions Club goal to help provide eyecare services.
Savoy and three other Boucherie and Balloon Festival royalty representatives provided help with various children’s activities
“It’s also a chance to discuss and bring awareness to our Boucherie Festival initiatives,” Savoy said. “We work with the Sorrento Lions Club and the Louisiana Eye Foundation. “We help collect eyeglass donations, including sunglasses, reading glasses, prescription glasses, and have them refurbished and
donate to those in need.” Savoy, 23, said her love for Ascension Parish and the Boucherie Festival has been with her since she was a baby She won a Boucherie
Festival royalty title at the age of 3.
“The Easter egg hunt is something that brings the community together and we love being here representing the festival,” she said.
tional Leadership Team, and strengthened instruction with ongoing classroom coaching and support for teachers.
“Through these NIET practices, our school continues to cultivate a culture where teachers are supported, motivated, and empowered to grow benefiting both educators and students,” Lundin said.
“Through the TAP System, I developed a deeper understanding of each role I have served from career teacher to mentor, master teacher, and administrator,” Lundin said. “This has helped me lead with greater empathy and intention while building a clear pathway for teacher leadership.”
Sorrento Primary School joins fellow finalists Horizon Honors Elementary School, Horizon Honors Schools, Arizona; Marthaville Elementary and Junior High School, Natchitoches Parish School Board; Northview Middle School Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, Indiana; and Riverwalk Academy, South Carolina Public Charter School District, South Carolina, in contention for the $50,000 Founder’s Award grand prize.
PLANTS
Continued from page 1G
market proceeds will pay for upcoming FFA events, such as the annual convention, banquet and leadership projects.
The timing of the plant sale intersected with agriscience subjects the students learned about including tending to plants and advertising for the event.
“The kids are involved from start to finish,” Ginn said. “They have been building projects and maintaining the seeds and growth daily for the past several weeks.
“Students have also helped with the marketing for the sale and that coincides with our lessons about the actual business of agriscience.”
One of the benefits of participating in the FFA is learning how to nurture something that will continue to grow with care.
“Before learning about plants while in the FFA, I couldn’t even keep a cactus alive,” Makenzie King, a senior and secretary of the FFA, laughed.
“I had no idea there were different classes of plants. We’ve not only learned facts about plants, but it has been a hands-on experience learning how plants live and how to keep them alive.”
For more information about St. Amant High School’s FFA club, visit www.stamanthigh.ascensionschools.org/students/clubs.
To learn more about Dutchtown High School’s FFA club, visit www dutchtownhigh.ascensionschools. org/students/clubs.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Center.
Avery Hymel, left and her mother Selena, of St. Amant, sort eggs Saturday for Sorrento’s Easter egg hunt.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
The annual St. Amant High School Farmers Market & Plant Sale featured vendors both inside and outside Saturday.
St. Amant High School junior Gage Mueller right, and sophomore Jax Schexnayder, were among the woodworking students whose projects were featured during Saturday’s annual plant sale and farmers market.
Dutchtown senior Makenzie King, left, and Dutchtown High School’s FFA sponsor Emily Ginn stand in the school’s greenhouse Saturday during the FFA Plant Sale & Farmers Market.
Continued from page 1G
Schexnaydre said the team never blinked “We had a slow start partially due to the strength of our schedule and facing each team’s No. 1 guy,” he said “After seeing some good live pitching, the guys turned it up and started to play well. Our pitching and defense have been consistent; we are starting to get some timely hits.”
The staff is led by mostly seniors, including Kason Johnson (4-1), Taylor Tunnard (4-1), Braden Hinson (2-2), Will Fontenot (2-1) Austin Aker and Tucker Suire Junior Cole Bowling (3-1) doubles as a second basemen as well. The lineup has six guys hitting over 300 led by senior centerfielder Eli Freeman (.378), sophomore shortstop Maddox Estilette ( 377), senior designated hitter Owen Cavalier (.348), junior second baseman Camden Hanberry (.333), Bowling (.321) and junior Brooks Bumstead (.316)
Rounding out the lineup is senior third baseman Cade Delaune, first baseman Johnson, senior left fielder Dawson LeBlanc and senior catcher Cooper Pickett.
The Griffins have 14 seniors this season led by Freeman, Pickett, LeBlanc, Johnson and Delaune.
“Those guys started every game last year,” Schexnaydre said. “Johnson has pitching experience from his sophomore and junior season. Delaune has started the last two years.”
Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate.com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf. LEBOEUF
The Griffins have won 13 of their last 14 games with the only loss coming from St. Amant. The district is competitive and will prepare the Griffins for the playoffs.
Any team in our district can win on a given day, with two weeks remaining before the playoffs, we must get solid pitching and defense with timely hitting if we want to win a district championship and garner a high seed,” said Schexnaydre.
The Griffins lost in the quarterfinals to Barbe last season. They made it to the semifinals in 2022 losing to West Monroe. Another semifinal run in 2010 ended with a loss to Catholic. The best finish for the Griffins was in 2009, losing to Northshore in the state championship game.
The level of consistency with the staff, several runs to the quarterfinals and the tradition of the program make Dutchtown a contender in 2026.
Spansel signs to play at next level
Ascension Christian senior basketball player Dylan Spansel recently signed with Huntingdon College in Montgomery Alabama.
Spansel is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,107 points and the district 8-1A MVP Spansel was a four-year starter for the Lions and led them to the playoffs all four years.
GROWING
Continued from page 1G
percent.
Between the formal census every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau uses a range of data, including phone surveys, to estimate annual population changes.
The other parish in the Capital Region that is steadily growing is West Baton Rouge Parish. It added more than 1,500 residents since 2020, a growth rate of 5.7%. Its population has increased each one of those years. It added 213 more residents between 2024 and 2025.
Estimated
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 experi-
ence, 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 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.
“West Baton Rouge is a super nice and interesting case of population growth on that side of the river,” Fitzgerald said. Fitzgerald said the parish has been a local engine of economic growth, but its population growth is less than it would be because of the “chokepoint” of the Mississippi River Bridge, where extended traffic delays are a regular occurance. Fitzgerald said he’s hopeful that continued economic development further south on the west side of the Mississippi in Donaldsonville and Iberville Parish will lead to residential growth there as well. Iberville Parish lost 2.2% of its population between 2020 and 2025.
The parish with the biggest population decline in the region is Pointe Coupee Parish, which
Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.
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PROVIDED PHOTO
Dylan Spansel, seated, and father Donald Spansel, standing left, and mother Gina Spansel at Dylan’s signing day ceremony at Ascension Christian Hgh.
FILE PHOTO BY APRIL BUFFINGTON Dutchtown baseball coach Chris Schexnaydre
