THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, au g u s t 7, 2024
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10TH YEAR, NO. 43
Necaise outlines 2024-25 school year Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
School sweatshirt giveaway and extravaganza From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, the Zachary Men’s Club is holding a Back to School Extravaganza and Uniform Sweatshirt Giveaway. To reserve a sweatshirt, email the student’s name, their Zachary school, and their size to zacharymensclub@gmail. com. Students must make a reservation and be present at the event to receive their uniform sweatshirt. Other highlights include free hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks; free health screenings; voter registration opportunities; and a school supply giveaway.
Lantern festival moved
Community news report Zachary Community School District Superintendent Ben Necaise said teachers and staff have been busy preparing for students to arrive Aug. 8 for the new school year. “We are excited to begin the 2024-25 school year in the Zachary Community School District,” he said. Orientations and back-to-school events were held prepping to welNecaise come students Thursday. Students will see new safety measures, a bank and other policies striving for efficiency when the first bell rings, Necaise said. “We are starting our new 5-Year Strategic Plan Process for 2025-30
Necaise said. A new ZCSD Print Shop will serve the entire district, taking the large print and copy jobs off staff and allowing their time to be used more efficiently. The print shop will allow the district to create print resources more economically and will also serve as a career training opportunity for students, he said. Necaise is excited about the addition of the Bank of Zachary Bronco Branch, located inside of Zachary High School. The Bronco Branch is a fully functional bank branch that will serve ZHS students and staff during school hours. This will allow students to gain financial literacy and will employ stuPROVIDED PHOTO dents. Students and staff can open A rendition of the new Bank of Zachary office at to Zachary High School accounts and choose from several ZHS Bronco debit card designs. this year. This will include work- gather feedback and information ä See NECAISE, page 2G ing alongside stakeholders to that will be used for this purpose,”
PREPPED AND READY
The Water Lantern Festival, at Zachary Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Highway, has been moved to Sept. 21. Visit tinyurl.com/556f2tu8 for details.
Mammography coach visits Woman’s Hospital brings lifesaving breast imaging to East Baton Rouge Parish with its mobile mammography coach. The coach makes mammograms more accessible than ever offering advanced
ä See AROUND, page 3G
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Zachary Community Schools students and parents receive supplies and support Saturday during the Zachary MLK Committee Backto-School Bash held at Zachary High School. FILE BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
A hot air balloon glows during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2023 in Zachary.
Second Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Fest adapts to heat for Aug. 10 celebration
Village focuses on students, school year
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
An old African proverb reminds us “it takes a village to raise a child,” and in the spirit of that adage, Zachary’s village showed up Saturday to embrace, equipment and prepare its students for the upcoming school year. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Zachary Back-to-School Giveaway distributed plenty of school supplies, but it served as a platform for the sharing of resources and services. Officials from the city, school system, Police Department, and local organizations helped transform the event into a massive outreach
Zachary Police Chief Darryl Lawrence, center, provides support and staff during the Zachary MLK Committee Back-to-School Bash held at Zachary High School. Committee member Joann Sanders, left, and Committee Chairperson Johnnie Evans ä See READY, page 2G were busy assisting hundreds of students and parent participants.
BY LEILA PITCHFORD Staff writer
The second Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off at noon Saturday. Shawnel Hebert said it’s “very exciting, especially for me. It’s something I wanted for my family and community.” She grew up with a father as a balloon pilot and traveled to shows across the country. “Dad was a pilot and traveled to other shows, and I wanted to have one here.” She said the first show last
ä See BALLOON, page 3G
Baker High to celebrate grand reopening Community news report Baker High School is set to celebrate its grand reopening, signaling a milestone for an institution that suffered extensive damage during the 2016 Baton Rouge flood. The new building, constructed after the demolition of the old structure began in September 2022, will open its doors under the theme “Building Baker Forward Brick by Brick.” “The grand reopening of Baker High School is a landmark occasion for our community,” said
Mayor Darnell Waites. “The ‘Baker Forward’ theme reflects our collective resilience and determination to progress while paying tribute to our heritage. We warmly invite all alumni to contribute their memories and join us in celebrating this new era for our school.” Alumni are encouraged to submit their photographs to Ricky Jones at the Central Office. Photos can also be sent electronically via email to pr@bakerschools.org. The collected images will play a crucial role in the celebration, serving as a testament to the lasting bonds
formed at Baker High School. The images will be showcased in a festive presentation, highlighting the school’s history and enduring spirit. Baker School Board member Linda B. Perkins said, “Thank the Lord this time has come. I’m elated to be a part of this process of the kids coming back after all these years.” Perkins has been in the city of Baker for over 40 years. Joyce Burges, president of the School Board and resident of Baker for nearly 35 years, said she is looking forward to the ceremony.
“To God be the glory,” Burgess said. “There were many people that aided to get us to this point, but the children are ultimately who will reap all the benefits.” This event will be a two-part experience starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 with a pep rally and parade of Baker schools. On Aug. 17, there will be the official ribbon-cutting. The grand reopening will also feature a formal ceremony unveiling the new facilities, including classrooms, advanced technology labs and modern athletic amenities, a news release said.