DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
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W e d n e s d ay, au g u s t 7, 2024
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Ascension public schools name 6 new administrators Community news report Just in time for the start of a new school year, Ascension Public Schools has announced the appointment of six new school administrators. School leaders announced the appointment of Central Primary School Assistant Principal Rebecca Stewart, Dutchtown High School Assistant Principal Kabir Miller, East Ascension High School Assistant Principal Dawn Johnson, Lowery Elementary School Assistant Principal Jaleathia Henry, and Prairieville Primary Assistant Principals Jacie Dunbar and Hailey Guidry Roberts. “I am excited about the incredible contri-
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Nelson to speak to August GOP Roundtable Richard Nelson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, will be the featured speaker at the Aug. 15 Ascension GOP Roundtable, sponsored by Ascension Republican Women. The doors open at 11:15 and a meet and greet is set for 11:30 to noon with the meeting starting at noon. Secretary Richard Nelson has degrees in biological engineering and law from LSU. He served for seven years in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State, living in Washington, Nelson D.C., Germany, and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. In 2017, he left the Foreign Service to take an executive position in the private sector and moved his family back home to Mandeville. Nelson was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2019. Nelson was appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, where he is spearheading efforts to reform Louisiana’s tax code, a news release said. Cost for the lunch is $30, collected at the door. To prepay, visit paypal.me/ARW225. Reservations are requested. A $5 room fee will be collected for those not dining. RSVP at (225) 921-5187 or email: ARWrUS@ aol.com.
Gem and Mineral Show The Baton Rouge Gem & Mineral Society is holding it annual Gem and Mineral Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10-11 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
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taught first, second and fifth grades. She then moved to Bullion Primary, where she taught fifth grade English and social studies. For the past three years, Stewart has served as a teacher coach at Bullion Primary, honing her skills in educational leadership and mentorship. She is married to Marcus Stewart and is a devoted mother to three children: Central Primary assistant principal Josiah, Corinne, and Miles. “I feel incredibly blessed to have the opStewart holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from LSU and a Master of Educa- portunity to be a part of the amazing work tion degree in educational leadership from that is happening at Central Primary right now,” said Stewart. “As an educator, the Southeastern Louisiana University. She began her career in Ascension Parish students are at the heart of all that we do, in 2013 at Oak Grove Primary, where she and I look forward to working alongside the butions that each of these administrators will bring to our schools, our district, and most importantly, the students we serve. Their expertise, dedication, and innovative ideas will undoubtedly enhance our educational environment and foster a culture of excellence,” Superintendent Stewart Edith Walker said.
Dutchtown High assistant principal Miller earned a Bachelor of Science degree from LSU and furthered her education with a Master of Education degree in school counseling from LSU in 2014. Miller recently completed a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University Miller of Southern Mississippi.
GETTING READY FOR THE FIRST SCHOOL BELL
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Paint and Jam was one of the local businesses that provided activities for Ascension Parish students during Saturday’s Ascension 4 Youth Fest Back-2-School Bash at the Gonzales Civic Center. ä See story, photos. PAGE 4G
Gumbo the Great Blue Heron will be gameday character for Prairieville High Community news report
teristic of the bird itself but also reflective of the school’s athletic teams,” Prairieville High Principal Randy Loving said. “Herons are symbols of strength and resilience, often seen standing tall and composed in various environments. This will mirror the Hurricanes’ tenacity and determination on the fields and courts.” Earlier in the spring, Loving and Associate Principal Courtney Mancuso reached out to incoming students to inquire what gameday characters they would like to represent
Gumbo the Great Blue Heron is the new gameday character for the Prairieville High School Hurricanes. The new character logo featuring a Great Blue Heron was developed by the school’s leadership following feedback from the community and incoming students. “The Great Blue Heron, which we are lovingly nicknaming Gumbo, will bring the Prairieville High School Hurricanes brand to life by embodying a blend of grace, strength, and agility — qualities that are not only charac- ä See PRAIRIEVILLE, page 2G
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Gumbo the Great Blue Heron is the new logo and mascot for Prairieville, replacing one approved earlier this year.
HOME EQUITY RENOVATE
dedicated staff at Central Primary to continue providing a student centered learning environment for our Colts.”
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Troy LeBoeuf ASCENSION SPORTS
East Ascension’s D’Ron McZeal is a coach’s dream, Matherne says Head coach Brock Matherne has taken over the East Ascension football team and if you watch practice, the energy level is 10 out of 10. Buying into bringing that energy level every day is sometimes hard for a player, well one player was sold day one. “D’Ron McZeal is a coach’s dream, he never has a bad day and is a true leader. He does every drill full speed, and I will continue to tell college coaches that come and see him, he brings it every day,” said Matherne. McZeal is a 5-foot, 10-inch, 170-pound Swiss army knife, playing safety, wide receiver and being involved in special teams. When asked about the upcoming season for the Spartans, McZeal can’t hide his excitement. “I am excited about getting another opportunity to play football, plus under new coaches, they are a great staff,” McZeal said. The Spartans played arguably the toughest schedule in the state last season, finishing 3-7. One of those victories was a 44-7 win over De La Salle and McZeal has a fond memory of that one. “We had a big team win; my best memory was a 99-yard pick six,” McZeal said. “We played team ball, and it was a complete game for us.” Offseason training has ended and regular practices are underway for the 2024 and the excitement is there for a Spartan turnaround under Matherne. “We have trained all spring and summer, ran the levee, seven on seven work and did some extra training to prepare for the season,” McZeal said. “The season is here and coach Matherne has been great. I enjoy
ä See LEBOEUF, page 2G
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