DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
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, D e c e m b e r 10, 2025
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PROVIDED PHOTO BY CHUCK MONTERO
Tevin Simon takes off during Ascension Catholic’s semifinal game.
Ascension Catholic punches tickets to state championship PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Three-year-old Za’riah Johnson, of St. Amant, takes pictures with Santa Claus Friday during the city of Gonzales’ annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Gonzales lights up for Christmas
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
Christmas spirit and festive decorations surrounded the Gonzales City Hall and Civic Center on Friday evening during the 32nd annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The G.W. Carver Primary choir ushered in the holiday season with Christmas carols. Festivities were moved to the Civic Center due to rain showers. For the city of Gonzales, the event is a long-standing and important tradition, Mayor Tim Riley said. “We are happy and honored to host this for the citizens,” Riley said. “Tonight is a chance for families to get out and spend time together within the community.” Around 200 people attended the event which included children’s activities, food and pictures with Santa Claus.
The 2025 Jambalaya Festival pageant royalty court pose Friday during the 32nd annual Gonzales Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Festivities were moved inside the Civic Center due to rainy weather.
The G.W. Carver Primary choir sings Christmas carols in the sprinkling rain.
East Ascension High School junior Jabron Lewis, left, paints a stencil on Abbigail Light’s face.
A Taste of Christmas ing for help. Stop by any Ascension Parish Library location in December, choose a paper ornament, decorate it and find the perfect spot to hang it. When you’re done, Darlene grab a thank-you treat. Denstorff While you’re at a library AROUND branch, make sure to register ASCENSION for a library card. It’s the perParading in Donaldsonville fect gift for you or anyone in your family. Sign up and get instant acThe Donaldsonville Christmas Pacess to the library’s Adventure Passes rade will take place at 5:30 p.m. Satto visit a museum or nature center. urday, Dec. 20. The parade starts at the Donaldsonville Fairgrounds, turns Snow Ball planned for babies, right onto Marchand and ends at the historic district. toddlers at two library branches A Taste of Christmas was rescheduled to Saturday, Dec. 13, due to weather. Shopping, music, photos with Santa and other activities are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Duplessis Park on La. 621. A Taste of Christmas is sponsored by Bearded Events.
Decorate tree at Ascension Library Ascension Parish libraries’ trees need ornaments and the system is ask-
The Ascension Parish Library is
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Ascension Catholic went on the road to face top ranked Westminster Christian in the Division IV semifinals with one thing in mind: knock the door down. The Bulldogs have been to the semifinals two of the last three years, only to fall short. ACHS dominated the game and came away with a 4514 victory. The Bulldogs will face the second seeded Riverside in the finals at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. “This team has been close several times to playing for a state championship, we talked about knocking the door down, play our game and give us a chance to Troy play for a state championship. I LeBoeuf am proud of this group of playASCENSION ers, coaches and support staff. SPORTS Our support from the school, the parents, community, supporters of the program has been phenomenal,” coach Taylor James said. James in his first season as the head coach takes the Bulldogs back to the Caesars Superdome for the first time since 2017-18 when the Bulldogs went in back-to-back seasons. ACHS (11-2) jumped out to 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind running back Trevin Simon’s two touchdown runs. Simon finished with 367 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Those numbers pushed his season total to 3,768 rushing yards and 57 rushing touchdowns. He passed Xavier Ford, of Leesville, for the single season rushing record and touchdown record. Ford had 3,467 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns. These numbers are phenomenal, and James continues to be amazed by what his senior has accomplished. “He is so humble and continues to give credit to his teammates and coaches,” James said. “Trevin is one of our leaders and hardest workers. He takes care of his business in the classroom; a college program will be lucky to have him on their campus. All he talks about is finishing and our team will have that opportunity against a very good Riverside team.” The Bulldogs added three touchdowns in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 33-0 at the half. Simon added two more touchdowns and quarterback Greg Fernandez added a 37yard rushing touchdown. The Bulldog defense forced four punts and did not allow a first down until late in the second quarter. Linebacker John Rob Daigle intercepted a Crusader screen pass in the quarter as well. The Bulldog defensive line of Vaughn
ä See LEBOEUF, page 2G
Fandoms converge at Cajun Con Riqui Gardner twirls her My Neighbor Totoro inspired dress during Cajun Con at Lamar Dixon Expo Center on Saturday. STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
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