Ascension Advocate 11-27-2025

Fall Family Fun Day invites all to participate

BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer

Children and adults with sensory issues and special needs spent Nov 15 playing games and other familyfriendly adapted activities during the Fall Family Fun Day at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Prairieville.

The event was hosted by the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the All Are Welcome ministry and the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge’s Office of Life, Peace and Justice.

Attendees and their families were treated to arts and crafts, outdoor activities, face painting and food.

The event is one of many the All Are Welcome ministry hosts throughout the year

The co-founders, Jodi Devore and Edda Dupaquier, began the ministry

Santa, sweets and the swim team?

Sure, it’s a Prairieville tradition

BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer

Doughnuts, milk and games were on the menu Nov 15 during the Prairieville High School swimming team’s second annual Donuts with Santa. Prairieville coach Kennie Ridgedell, along with his wife, Lori, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus. The second-year swimming team has doubled in size compared to last year, according to Principal Courtney Mancuso. Members of the team have won both sporting and academic awards, including Hadlei Mock, who has a 4.0 grade-point average and was selected for the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s All Academic Composite Swim Team. Sponsors for the event included Thee Heavenly Donut, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy and the Prairieville CC’s Coffee House. The Looking Glass provided photos of attendees and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“It is hard to go out and go to events, like fairs and festivals. Some of those places are difficult because those with special needs may have sensory overload and mobility issues. Today is about providing a safe space where they can have fun.”

JODI DEVORE, co-founder of the All Are Welcome ministry

because of their own children not having an inclusive space where, they too, can have fun and fellowship.

Devore, who has three autistic children, said the Fall Family Fun Day is an event she is proud and excited to see grow each year

“Those who have special needs can enjoy a day to have fun together with

their family and everyone,” Devore said. “A lot of activities are not designed for those with special needs.

“It is hard to go out and go to events, like fairs and festivals. Some of those places are difficult because those with special needs may have sensory overload and mobility issues. Today is about providing a safe space where they can have fun.”

Devore first started the ministry, along with Edda, by inviting people who have special needs family members into her backyard to pray the rosary It then expanded into a support group for caregivers.

Dupaquier has five children, two of which have special needs.

“It’s so fulfilling to see a small concept of providing a ministry growing and having families come and have

See FUN, page 2G

left, and her sister

12, talk

School.

The Gonzales Police Department is accepting donations for its annual Christmas for Kids and Elderly programs. Donations are accepted at the Gonzales Police Department, 415 E. Cornerview Road, Gonzales. Gonzales to

621. A Taste of Christmas is sponsored by Bearded Events.

cents a pound. Drop of your pecans Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1122 S. East Ascension Complex Blvd., Gonzales. For more information, call (225) 6212000.

Food distributions set Ascension Parish’s commodity distribu-

State cross-country results and all district volleyball standings

State University Here

DIVISION I

Boys

6TH-RANKED DUTCHTOWN

n Shrey Shah, 6th, 15:31

n Carson Dietz, 19th, 16:23

n Kaleb Weber, 321st, 16:39

n Anthony Bucci, 64th, 17:37

n Bennett Cahlink, 68th, 17:49

n Adam Blanchard, 69th, 17:51

n Isaac Urban, 96th, 18:24

23RD-RANKED EAST ASCENSION

n Joshua Stone, 65th 17:40

n Tyrien Domino, 86th, 18:10

PRAIRIEVILLE

n Alexander McCarta, 72nd, 17:52

Girls

9TH-RANKED DUTCHTOWN

n Kiera Melan, sixth, 18:39

n Shelby Comeaux, 37th, 20:52

n Brooke Norton, 75th, 21:46

n Zoe Gros, 87th, 22:04

15TH-RANKED ST. AMANT

n Ella Willoughby, eighth-ranked, 18:43

n Chloe Oubre, 42nd, 20:42

n Maccee Gore, 90th, 22:12

VOLLEYBALL ALL DISTRICT

Division I District 5

FIRST TEAM

n Aubrey Alleman, St. Amant, setter, senior

n McKensie Chustz, East Ascension, libero, junior

n Ally Frazier, St. Amant, OH, junior

Continued from page 1G

fun,” Dupaquier said. “In the community we needed something like this.

“My kids can come over and have fun with other kids They all get to know each other and when they see each other at events like this it’s like visiting with friends.”

Naomi Mire brought her daughter, 11-year-old Zoey, to the Fun Day.

“This has been an incredible experience and fun for the whole family,” Mire said. “We are so blessed and thankful for the St. John ministry and for having a place where we feel welcomed and at home.”

Deacon Randall Waguespack, who serves as the diocese director of the Office of Life, Peace and Justice, said events like the Family Fun Day bring together high school students and adult volunteers to help those with special needs have an enjoyable time.

“We are seeing a lot of new faces this year,” Waguespack said “The purpose of All Are Welcome is to help us to remember every person in the church and community deserves respect and have everyone join together.”

For the event at St. John, student volunteers are assigned as “buddies” to help attendees

The Fall Family Fun Day had 35 volunteers, 28 of which were high school students.

“The students learn so much from this such as compassion and nurturing,” Dupaquier said. “They see that everyone deserves to feel valued and appreciated.”

n Calli Hargrave. St. Amant OH, junior

n Caroline Johnson, Dutchtown, libero, junior

n Au’Brei McCoy, Dutchtown, middle, junior

n Katerina Perniciaro, Prairieville, middle, sophomore

n Chloe Phillips, Dutchtown, OH, junior

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Hayden Herring, Dutchtown, middle, senior

COACH OF THE YEAR: Patrick Ricks, Dutchtown

HONORABLE MENTION

ST. AMANT: Jada Baker, Ryleigh Blanchard, Amari Rock, Ella Young

DUTCHTOWN: Brynn Gonzales, Kinsey Phillips, Jamie Ragsdale, Olivia Songy, Anna White

PRAIRIEVILLE: Jayci Harvey, Maria

Latham, Haley Sears, Brasia Smith

EAST ASCENSION: Baley Williams

Division V District 5

FIRST TEAM

n Celia Gordon, Ascension Catholic

n Madelyn Walter, Ascension Christian

n Ava Landry, Ascension Catholic

n Ava Gauthe, Ascension Catholic

n Hollie Firmin, Ascension Christian

n Riley Page, Ascension Christian

SECOND TEAM

n Kate Templet, Ascension Catholic

n Kira Lanoux, Ascension Christian

HONORABLE MENTION

n Gabriella Hudson, Ascension Christian

n Olivia Leigh, Ascension Christian

n Gracie LeBlanc, Ascension Christian

n Ansley Bright, Ascension Catholic

n Karsyn Chaney, Ascension Catholic

n Caroline Martinez, Ascension Catholic

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Madelyn Walter, Ascension Christian

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Celia Gordon, Ascension Catholic

Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@ theadvocate.com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf.

Waguespack said the diocese is working to become more inclusive to those with special needs and disabilities. The Bread and Belonging support group is for caregivers of those with special needs. Other activities include retreats for caregivers, and a monthly sensory mass is held at rotating churches within the

The diocese has begun to incorporate times at events, such as fairs and festivals, specifically for those with special needs and sen-

sory issues. For more information about the All Are Welcome ministry, visit www.diobr.org/special-needs.

Louisiana Realtors celebrates 2025 Leadership Program graduates

Louisiana Realtors recognized its 2025 Leadership Program graduates Oct 6 during the association’s Fall Governance Meetings in Baton Rouge

The Louisiana Realtors Leadership Program is designed to identify, inspire and develop emerging Realtors leaders across the state, a news release said.

Through a yearlong series of sessions focused on communication, leadership styles, association management and industry advocacy, participants gain the knowledge and skills to serve effectively at the local, state and national levels.

Since its inception, the program has graduated hundreds of Realtor professionals.

Each graduate completes a curriculum that com-

bines interactive learning, professional development and a project designed to strengthen Louisiana’s Realtor community Local graduates include: n Matt Noel: Coldwell Banker ONE, Baton Rouge n Ros Pack: Compass, Prairieville n Lacy St. Romain: Pennant Real Estate, Denham Springs.

REV recently joined CoBank’s annual Sharing Success program to provide $30,000 to three local nonprofit organizations making community-specific impacts in the region. Each year, CoBank — a cooperative bank serving the nation’s rural economy — matches partners’ donations to support community

initiatives across the country, a news release said REV recently leveraged this opportunity to double its contributions to three area nonprofits.

“We’re proud to stand alongside CoBank in supporting the incredible work of these organizations,” said Josh Descant, CEO of REV

“At REV, we believe in the power of connection — not just through technology, but also through

and Teen Miss Boucherie Scarlett Lott.

Boucherie Festival names royalty

Community news report

Ava Savoy was recently crowned as the 2025 Miss Boucherie. The Teen Miss Boucherie title went to Scarlett Lott and Miller Wayne Petitto won the Boucherie King title. Also named Boucherie and Balloons Festival royalty were: n Baby Miss: Andi-Kate Marie Keating

n Toddler Miss: Kennedy Gremillion n Tiny Miss: Khloe Leigh Lambert n Petite Miss: Lennah Mae Babin n Little Miss: Willow Grace Williams n Mini Miss: Anniston Lott

n Deb Miss: Addison McClendon

n Junior Miss Emersyn Rose Johnson

n Ms./Mrs.: Tayia Wheat Stelly

Community news report

A new pipeline emergency training program got a

The Louisiana State Fire & Emergency Training Academy and River Parishes Community College officially launched the Louisiana Pipeline Emergency Training Program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Baton Rouge. The program is made possible by a $50,000 donation, a donation of the demonstration prop, and a donation of the teaching curriculum from ExxonMobil — together valued in excess of $500,000. The program features a first-of-its-kind

statewide emergency response readiness.

community partnerships that uplift, protect and empower those around us.”

This year’s selected nonprofits serve a wide range of causes, from youth development and health care to food access and community building. The combined $30,000 donation aids in the furtherance of each organization’s mission here in Southeast Louisiana.

“Our REV team has deep, local roots and profound pride when it comes to supporting local organizations who care about the same things we care about,” said Tressy Leindecker, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing. “We thank CoBank for the ongoing support and remain grateful to all our nonprofit partners for their incredible work.”

The three nonprofit beneficia-

Knights of Columbus honor area officers

Community news report

St. Theresa of Avila Knights of Columbus Council 2657 hosted the 49th annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet Sept. 24 with support from three other councils from Ascension Parish.

Grand Knight Brian Eskew welcomed everyone and Judge Jason

Vertigets served as emcee. The annual award winners as chosen by the three agency heads were Louisiana State Police Trooper Brennan Wolfe; Deputy Benoit Michaux, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office; and Officer Lionel Toncrey, Gonzales Police Department.

District Attorney Ricky Babin was the guest speaker The Patriotic Degree Honor Guard, Arthur Monsignor Lieux Assembly, posted the colors, and Boy Scout Troop 65 led the Pledge of Allegiance. More than 60 members and family members of the agencies together with more than 40 state and local political leaders, state and local Knights of Columbus leaders and members attended the event.

“Pipelines are an important part of Louisiana’s infrastructure and energy future, but with that comes responsibility,” said Chief Bryan J. Adams, Louisiana DPS principal assistant, State Fire Marshal. “This